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.
More news in Harness
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Pole goes on The Night Fox - now he just needs a little luck from a niggly draw on Friday night
$10,000 weanling Johnny Lincoln surprises again with fifth win over white hot blue blood
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Nathan’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 2: Lincoln Maree
5.55pm
“Frank drove a nice race on her last time, doing a bit of work early before leading and trailing, but I think the result might have been different if she’d led all the way. She has no speed, she’s better in front and rolling, so this week we’ll tell Frank to go forward and to not hand up and hopefully she can go one better.”
Race 4: The Night Fox
6.56pm
“He got KOed last time at Auckland but Harry said he felt like he could have won with a decent draw so we’ll just put that race behind us. I wouldn’t say this field is any harder. We’ve got a bad draw again but it depends on how the race pans out. I think he can still win.”
Race 6: Lincoln Lover
7.58pm
“He’s doing a good job, and he ran home well last time at Cambridge, but Leo Lincoln is definitely the pick of ours.”
Race 6: Leo Lincoln
7.58pm
“He’ll strip a lot fitter and I think he’s a good winning chance. He’s been racing open class horses and this is a huge drop back for him.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Lincoln Linda
5.06pm
“I’m not holding my breath. She beat a poor bunch at Cambridge and will have to step up here.”
Race 2: Rivergirl Bella
5.45pm
“Given the right trip, she should finish off not too bad as she has a bit of speed but, after two runs back, she needs to improve.”
Race 7: Missy Lincoln
8.09pm
“She’s only little but she trialled super and got home in 2:00.6 mile rate. If she repeats that, she’ll be in the fray. It’s early days yet but she’s a nice, tractable filly who has drawn well in two and, based on that one trial, you’d have to give her a chance. Whether she improves off it, we’ll see.”
Race 8: Spiritual Bliss
8.34pm
“I don’t think any of the others stand over her. She’s a tough mare who has trained on well. I’d love to see her in front, she’s proven that’s where she goes best, but whether she’ll get there from four is debatable. But I’m sure she’ll go another good race.”
