Fast10 - harness racing’s answer to T20 cricket - will lauch at Addington in December
By Barry Lichter • 8 October 2019
Racing’s equivalent of T20 cricket is set to debut on Friday, December 20.
FAST 10 Horse Racing will see 10 races each of 10 horses staged in just over two and a half hours.
In what is promoted by developers Tony Russell and Glenn Hames as a world first, Quick Horse Racing Ltd will stage its first event at Addington, starting just before mid-day.
Russell and Hames, both racehorse owners, have been working on the concept for more than two years, and say the event is the next level of racing - faster than ever before, racing in half the time but doubling the fun.
Passionate about the racing industry, the pair say they want to “reignite passion and interest in the industry while creating a fun and exciting event to appeal to new customers.”
“We have seen how T20 has changed cricket and we believe that Fast10 can provide that same effect to racing in New Zealand”.
A colourful array of entertainment, yet to be revealed, will feature on the day.
Harness Racing New Zealand’s Communication and Ownership Co-Ordinator Jess Smith says more information will be available soon for licence holders, who may question the logistics of running races so close together.
Hames says the races, all sprints from the mobile gate, will start at 11.52am and be run at 18 to 20 minute intervals, ending at 2.34pm when entertainment will kick in, hopefully to be a big pre-Christmas crowd .
Work is underway to get the entire event streamed live.
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Ray’s comments
Wednesday at Auckland
Race 5: Prince Lincoln
5.10pm
“I can’t believe he’s not picked in four (on the HRNZ website). He actually headed Cyclone Rebel last start but switched off. We’ve added sliding blinds which seem to have helped in training and he’s got to be a good each-way chance. He just needs a bit of luck from six on the gate.”
Race 5: Johnny Lincoln
5.10pm
“He’ll need some luck from the outside but hopefully he can still get a cheque. He doesn’t have as much speed as Prince Lincoln.”
Race 7: Spiritual Bliss
6pm
“I think she’ll be able to handle the rise in class. She’s a pretty good mare who keeps finding when the pressure goes on. It won’t be easy but she has a good draw and has already run a mile in 1:55.3.”
Race 7: Debbie Lincoln
6pm
“It’s hard to know how she compares with Spiritual Bliss but I think they’re both chances. Debbie Lincoln is still the fastest three-year-old to win over 1700 metres around Alexandra Park and she was excellent again when just pipped by Tyson last time.”
Race 12: Tyson
8.38pm
“The rise in class won’t stop him. If they go a bit harder, he can still run a 56 half off a solid pace. He’s improving all the time, more than I thought he would. He could easily win again.”
Race 12: Leo Lincoln
8.38pm
“We threw him in the deep end first-up when he really needed another trial. That race will bring him on a bit but I think he’ll need another before we see him at his best.”
