Alexandra Park in 1959 … a far cry from the attendances at today’s meetings.
Seven fewer harness meetings next season with no relief for the North Island
By Barry Lichter • 21 May 2023
Harness racing has taken a hit with seven fewer meetings next season in a calendar released by the TAB to “maximise revenue and reduce costs”.
A total of 242 harness meetings are carded, down from 249 this season, with gallops gaining one more meeting to 294 and greyhounds static on 432.
The beleagured Auckland Trotting Club loses one meeting, with just 31 dates, including one extra lower returning Thursday (12) and two fewer Fridays (18).
Waikato will host 28 meetings including 17 Thursdays, seven Fridays, three Sundays and a Monday.
Five back-to-back Auckland and Cambridge meetings on Thursday and Friday nights remain despite the shortage of horses in the north.
The Central Districts holds on to its five Tuesday-Thursday meetings at Palmerston North from November through March, plus a couple of Monday mini six-race cards.
Hawera will be the only central club to host a two-day grass meeting in February, with six-race cards retained for both Tauherenikau and Otaki in January.
North Island dates next season
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Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 9: Kevin Kline
9.55pm
“When Maurice asked him to go at the top of the straight at Cambridge he got lost and didn’t quite know what to do. He wound up well in the end but just left it a little late. He’ll learn from that and should go well again.”
Race 10: Debbie Lincoln
10.22pm
“She has ability but she’s a work in progress. She’s fast but she needs to harness it. She gets a little claustrophobic when they come around her so the mission on Friday will be to get round without her doing anything stupid. She’s a much stronger individual now than when she started off in April.”
