New trot race for Inter Dominion Grand Final Day

20 January 2015
Trotters will still have a race on Inter Dominion Grand Final Day at Tabcorp Park Menangle on March 1.

Trotters will still have a race on Inter Dominion Grand Final Day at Tabcorp Park Menangle on March 1. Photo by Amanda Rando

A newly created $50,000 Group One trotting race will replace the Trotters Challenge on Inter Dominion Grand Final Day at Tabcorp Park Menangle on March 1.

The New South Wales Harness Racing Club still wanted to showcase trotters on this great day of harness action and have converted the proposed race from an invitation mile mobile to a 3009m standing start handicap, where preference will be given to trotters which have competed in the lead up races at Menangle on February 7 and 21.

NSW HRC chief executive officer Bruce Christison commented as follows:

“The unfortunate withdrawal of the sponsor combined with the relocation of the Great Southern Stars series in Victoria to the week following the Inter Dominion Grand Final has made the prospect of attracting the elite trotters very difficult,” Christison said.

“As a result the Club has decided to replace the challenge concept with a Group One standing start event.

“It is also a good opportunity for those watching on Grand Final Day to see some variety on the program.

“There will be many people trackside who are not regular harness racing viewers and the trotters standing start over the two laps will expose them to something different.”

The new concept may still entice interstate participation according to NSW HRC racing manager David Wonson.

“The race is attractive for the local trotters but may still entice some interstate participation,” he said.

“It is also a good incentive for trainers and owners to support the World Drivers Championship Trotters Heat which will be held at Menangle on Saturday February 21.”

The race conditions are as follows:

$50,000 TROTTERS STANDING START

Open to all Trotters. Maximum 14 starters. 3009 metres

Preference given to Trotters who competed on February 7 and 21 at Tabcorp Park Menangle. A 10 metre handicap for horses which have won a Group One race in the previous 12 months; 20 metre Handicap for two Group One wins; 30 metre Handicap three or more group one wins. (Excluding 2yo and 3yo Group One wins).

 

Related News

29 March 2024
Gibson family honoured in more ways than one at Bathurst Carnival
SINCE the inception of the Bathurst Gold Crown in 1987, the Gibson family and their Success Stud have positively contributed to shaping the hugely-successful juvenile carnival. Originally based in Queensland before relocating to the idyllic Young region, the late John Gibson initially operated Success...
29 March 2024
Group 1 mares add star power to Riverina Championships
Four Group 1 winning mares - including two currently considered to be among the nation’s best - will clash in an intriguing battle at the Riverina Championships finals program at Wagga on Sunday. The meeting features two $100,000 finals for four and five year-old pacers - one each for the boys...
29 March 2024
Ford looking for Gold on Good Friday
The combined harness and greyhound meeting on Good Friday night in Hobart is fast becoming a Tassie racing tradition, and it’s back again with eight greyhound races and six harness events making up this year’s 14-race program. Driver Dylan Ford will be out to continue his excellent start...
28 March 2024
New HRV chair Adam Kilgour on challenges, opportunities
Newly appointed Harness Racing Victoria chair Adam Kilgour says his passion for a challenge and the people in racing drives his desire to strengthen the industry. Kilgour was yesterday announced to replace Dale Monteith as the head of the board, on which he has served since 2018, and said he was eager...
28 March 2024
La sun of a gun emerges as Blackbook zeros in on breeding line
La Machane won 20 of her 61 starts and more than $330,000 for connections in Ross and Greg Sugars' care and the mare's making just as big an impression in the breeding barn. Having given us La Puddie ($137,179) and La Captain ($182,020), the Bettors Delight mare has another nice type in Benbullan, who...
Click for more