Cambridge chiefs Graham Bowen, left, and David Branch, want solutions, not an industry turning on itself. PHOTO: Mary Anne Gill.
Cambridge takes the initiative with forums to explore solutions to North Island harness woes
By Barry Lichter • 7 January 2023
The Cambridge Raceway board is taking the initiative and organising forums to hopefully find solutions to the myriad of issues facing harness racing in the North Island.
Chairman Graham Bowen and CEO David Branch today sent an open letter to all participants, urging them to attend forums to be held in Palmerston North and Pukekohe in early February.
The move comes after another week of turmoil in the industry when Cambridge lost its two feature races on tonight’s programme, Harness Racing New Zealand ruling there were too few nominations.
In its letter, the Cambridge board says in recent months it has been concerned about a number of factors affecting harness racing in general and the North Island in particular.
“Among the major issues are race programming, stakes funding distribution, the racing calendar (dates and number of meetings), the declining number of horses racing in the north and subsequent falling turnover.
“We also feel that there has never been more of a divide within the industry which seems to turn on itself and default to criticism without solutions.
“This is a time when we as an industry need to be united and working together to find solutions for the future.”
Bowen and Branch say the forums will have a clear objective of looking for solutions and new ideas that can be presented to HRNZ for action.
“Our intention is to have an experienced independent facilitator to run these meetings. This will not be an opportunity for blame or criticism of past actions, current processes or HRNZ and attendees will be expected to stay strictly within the bounds of the objectives of the meetings.
“We encourage everyone interested to attend and contribute in a positive and respectful manner in what we believe will be a critical step forward for harness racing in the North Island.”
Details of the forums will be released in the next two weeks but it is hoped they can be scheduled before the yearling sales.
More questions
Meanwhile, more questions are being asked today about just how HRNZ rules on what constitutes a minimum number of starters.
When Branch tackled HRNZ handicapper Andrew Morris earlier in the week about a precedent having been set after Auckland was given the OK to run the Lincoln Farms’ Franklin Cup on New Year’s Eve with only four starters, he was told the Group status of the race saved it.
$1.20 favourite South Coast Arden beats Kango a nose in the four-horse 2022 Cambridge Classic.But the $17,200 Cambridge Classic was not a Group or Listed race when it was run last January 27 with only four starters.
That race, which had one scratching, was taken out by the $1.20 favourite South Coast Arden, co-owned by HRNZ CEO Gary Woodham.
Branch recalled arguing hard to retain that race because it was a lead-in to the Sprint Classic at Auckland on the fledgling Harness Millions night two weeks later.
The Sprint Classic carried Listed, not Group status, and was run for $43,000 with just five starters, and won by the $1.10 favourite Self Assured.
The Charlie Hunter Free-for-all, which was canned tonight because it had only five runners, was a crucial lead-in to the Group III $30,000 Trotters’ Flying Stakes at Cambridge on January 12.
HRNZ might be on a fresh cost-cutting footing after having to take $2.1 million out of its reserves to offset the TAB’s $15 million payout cut to the industry, but if that was the case how could Cambridge’s offer to drop its two features to only $15,000 be rejected so summarily by the handicapper?
More news in Harness
‘The Kid’ flying but Argyle up against it to add good points in novel drivers’ challenge
Street’s emotion-charged night in the winners’ room - sad loss before a record four wins
It’s green jackets all the way and Ray fancies improving surprise packet Prince Lincoln
The Lincoln Wave secret is well and truly out now, but who was that mystery underbidder?
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Debbie Lincoln
5.26pm
“She had to sit parked most of the way last time but still went well, and that’s what she does. She’s proven to be a very promising filly and, while it’s hard these days to win without a good trip, it’s an even field and she’s a good chance again.”
Race 2: Lincoln Lou
5.55pm
“He probably cost himself a win last week by going roughly, but he can do that. If he’d got Frisco Bay’s trip he would have won with his closing quarters of 56 and 27 the fastest in the race. He’s just got to do things right to be the one to beat, even from the bad draw, as it’s an easier field.”
Race 5: Frisco Bay
7.30pm
“He’s up in grade a bit but I don’t think there’s anything between them. He’s just got to get the right run and, with his speed, he’ll be right in it.”
Race 6: Kevin Kline
7.59pm
“He’s no superstar but he’s very honest and he’s always a place chance as he’s a tough bugger, he sat parked last week.”
Race 6: Colonel Lincoln
7.59pm
“With a similar run to last week, he’d be right in it. He clocked 55.8 and 27.7, doing his best work at the finish. He hasn’t gone a bad race since he’s come back.”
Race 8: Prince Lincoln
8.59pm
“I wasn’t expecting him to do anything on debut as he’s a green, young horse. But he went very well so he’s obviously lifted his game for the occasion. And he’s trained on even better so the experience has enhanced him. From the inside he has to be a good chance.”
Race 8: Rivergirl Bella
8.59pm
“She’s definitely a better animal left-handed but she was passable right-handed and should go better this time. She’s got some speed.”
Race 8: Lincoln Downs
8.59pm
“She’s a nice filly but is behind the others. I don’t expect her to beat anything but she needs the experience.”
Race 8: Lincoln Linda
8.59pm
“There won’t be any shadows for her to jump this time so she has to be a serious chance. She’d been dominant at the workouts and trials before her debut but didn’t get the chance to show her true worth.”
Race 8: Lincoln Lover
8.59pm
“Fergie was quite impressed with him on debut and requested the drive again. He finished on strongly up the lane and should go well again. He just needs some luck from the outside of the gate.”
Mark Dux’s comments
Saturday night at Albion Park
Race 3: Argyle
9.04pm NZ time
“I thought his last two starts have been terrific. There’s no doubt this race is tougher, and he has trickier draw, but I was talking to Angus last night and he was quite upbeat about his chances. He said the horse gave him a good feel when he sat parked two starts back and he picked him too (in the draft). But it won’t be easy. There could be a bit of pressure early. I think he’ll come out and see what unfolds and, if there is too much pressure, he’ll drive him quietly.”
Ray’s comments
Sunday at Manawatu
Race 1: Onyx Shard
5.29pm
“You can put a line through her last run at Cambridge when she pulled up showing signs of a respiratory infection. She had a couple of weeks off after that and, while she hasn’t trialled since, she’s been training down nicely. She’s a nice filly and from the good draw should really win.”
Race 3: Lincoln La Moose
6.19pm
“He wasn’t far away in the amateur race at Auckland last time despite jumping a shadow early and galloping. This is a decent drop in class for him and he should be very competitive.
