Ambitious target date set for harness racing and remaining feature races axed
By Barry Lichter • 1 April 2020
Harness Racing New Zealand today confirmed that racing will be restricted to only five or six venues for a minimum of three months when it restarts, hopefully at the end of May or early in June.
HRNZ chairman Ken Spicer revealed its ambitious target date today, stressing it was dependent on when New Zealand moved out of its level 4 lockdown, and what the Government ruled was allowable under level 3.
Spicer also confirmed that meetings would be held with no public attending and licensees would be unable to move between regions.
Ken Spicer … trainers and drivers will not be allowed to move between regions.HRNZ’s draft plan focusses on a four month calendar from June to September but Spicer said obviously racing would not be able to resume until there was a big enough pool of fit horses.
“Once we return to racing, the initial focus will be to provide weekly racing opportunities for the majority of the horse population.”
The HRNZ board has confirmed that any feature or Group races that were due to be held from March 24 to the end of the 2019-20 season would not be run, nor will they be rescheduled. This includes the Harness Jewels.
“The exception is those races administered by the New Zealand Sires’ Stakes Board and we continue to work with them on options for rescheduling those races to the next season.
“This was a very difficult decision to make, however it is important that we give trainers and owners some certainty as they make plans for their horses.
“There will be a need to reshape racing across all codes as we develop a clearer picture of what the full impact of COVID-19 will have on the TAB and the subsequent funding to the codes.”
Spicer said “a racing ecosystem” had to be designed that reflected the likelihood that it would be some time before the Government brings New Zealand back to Alert Level 1.
HRNZ was vigorously reviewing all costs, including employee and contractor payments, he said.
More news in Harness
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Ray reveals his theory on why rank outsider Sammy Lincoln can play a hand in the derby
$101 winner Lincoln Wave has improved and is worth following in Friday’s derby lead-up
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 4: Lincoln Linda
6.38pm
“I’m not sure where she’s at. It’s a big drop in class - there’s not much in there - but I don’t think she’ll morph into a star. She was hitting the sulky wheels last time and over-racing but that won’t happen again.”
Race 6: Lincoln Maree
7.36pm
“She paced roughly last time but we’ve done a bit of work on her since so she should be happier this time. It depends on the trip she gets (from four) but she’ll go an honest race. She’s no superstar, but she doesn’t miss many cheques.”
Race 8: Copy N Paste
8.45pm
“He’s dour and tradesman-like but he’s getting there. It’s his first time off the place, and the trip will improve him, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see him competitive in what is a very weak field. Sometimes you don’t know what the Bettors Delights have got until they front up at the races but he trialled well and beat a couple who are against him here.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Prince Lincoln
4.53pm
“He actually tried last time. He’s a nice horse but can change his mind quickly. Full blinds woke him up last time so we’ll see if he responds to them again this time.”
Race 3: Omaha Lincoln
5.46pm
“I think he’ll go a good race but it’s his first time at Alexandra Park so I don’t want to talk him up too much. He’s got enough ability to win a race like this, whether he’s ready to do it, we’ll find out. He can get a bit keen at times but I think he’s a chance if he does everything right.”
Race 5: Spiritual Bliss
6.54pm
“It was another great run last time after leading and she’s a good, tough mare who will go another good race. What trip she gets will determine where she finishes. From five, I’m picking she might go back this time but I’ll leave that up to the driver (Harrison Orange).”
Race 6: Sharpe Stride
7.24pm
“He’s a nice trotter, a big strong colt. He can get a bit hot but there’s nothing wrong with how he goes. He’s certainly not good enough to deal with these but he’s there for a run around.”
Race 9: Leo Lincoln
8.57pm
“He’s racing in career-best form and they were struggling for runners so I put him in. He gets a starting fee of $1750 so we won’t go home empty-handed. I’m really happy with him, he’s handling right-handed racing better these days. But he’s racing the bear cats so I’m not suggesting for a second he’ll give them a fright.”
Race 10: Colonel Lincoln
9.25pm
“I thought he went super last time. It was a vast improvement on the previous two starts and you’ve got to remember he was out for a long time. He’s coming to it now and improving all the time. I couldn’t label him but I’d be surprised if he’s not in the first three or four. He’s trained on well and gets a front row draw.”
Race 10: Sugar Ray Lincoln
9.25pm
“He was given too much to do last time - up to park at the bell - and you can’t drive the ears off them every time. With a more conservative trip he’d be right in it.”
