Harness racing has been playing out to empty stands at Addington but its turnovers have surprised. PHOTO: Ajay Berry/Race Images.
Dr Darrin’s harness health check-up: Turnovers show the patient is still breathing
By Barry Lichter • 8 June 2020
A ray of light has emerged for the racing industry with betting on harness meetings stronger than expected since racing resumed 12 days ago.
Figures obtained from Harness Racing New Zealand for the first eight meetings predictably show the highest turnovers in the South Island, with public track-based North Island stables still cranking up their operations.
Friday nights at Addington have been particularly pleasing, says HRNZ racing and marketing manager Darrin Williams, with fixed odds betting clearly more popular than tote betting on weekdays.
With 12-race cards, and the prime betting slot, Addington has returned figures of $1.17 million and $1.01 million for its Friday meets.
“It’s certainly better than we thought it would be,” says Williams.
“I’d like to think betting will keep going up too with still a lot of horses to come back.”
Invercargill’s two Saturday meetings have also exceeded the traditional numbers, returning $781,000 and $833,000 for 11-race programmes.
“Normally you’d expect Invercargill on a Saturday to turn over between $500,000 and $550,000, and if you got to $600,000 that would be very good.
“Once the gallops come back on Saturdays it could be different of course. If people are wanting to have a bet on New Zealand racing at the moment they could be betting on the trots by default.”
While there were only 46 horses in six races at the first meeting on a Thursday at Auckland, Williams says to generate an average of $62,000 per race wasn’t too bad.
And Cambridge also got a tick on its Sunday card, with 95 horses in nine races attracting $582,000.
Thursday’s meeting at Cambridge will see 106 runners, a sign that more northern trainers have their charges nearing race fitness.
Williams is hopeful that more of the code’s top liners will be seen out on the racetrack soon too, with the cancellation of the traditional late season Harness Jewels allowing them to be spelled earlier.
Williams is reluctant to read too much into the figures just yet, knowing people’s disposable incomes have been hit hard by COVID-19 and many coming off subsidies might not now be able to afford to gamble.
He points to the tradie who used to have a few jugs and some bets at the pub on a Friday night.
“Maybe now if they lose $20 on the first race, they’ll be out.”
Turnover details
Harness turnovers since racing resumed:
Thursday May 28 Addington (9 races) $624,586
Average per race $69,398
Fixed odds $319,000, tote $305,000
Friday May 29 Addington (12 races) $1,168,115
Average per race $97,342
Fixed odds $607,000, tote $560,000
Saturday May 30 Invercargill (11 races) $781,228
Average per race $71,020
Fixed odds $307,000, tote $473,000
Sunday May 31 Cambridge (9 races) $582,750
Average per race $64,750
Fixed odds $251,000, tote $331,000
Thursday June 4 Auckland (6 races) $374,321
Average per race $62,386
Fixed odds $221,000, tote $153,000
Friday June 5 Addington (12 races) $1,013,898
Average per race $84,491
Fixed odds $552,000, tote $461,000
Saturday June 6 Invercargill (11 races) $833,246
Average per race $75,749
Fixed odds $355,000, tote $478,000
Sunday June 7 Addington (10 races) $790,727
Average per race $79,072
Fixed odds $353,000, tote $437,000.
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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.”
