Harness Racing New South Wales is overhauling its TAB Regional Championships series as part of an enhanced racing program when Season 3 of the Carnival of Cups returns in November.
The changes will see the regional finals run in conjunction with the Carnival of Cups program, culminating in the prestigious TAB Regional Championships State Final at Club Menangle.
As a new initiative, four “fast pass” qualifying races will also be held in each region, meaning there will now be eight opportunities to earn entry into the lucrative state final.
The Carnival of Cups series will be held in Wagga and Newcastle in late 2025, before it moves to Bathurst, Albury and Penrith in the new year.
Wagga (Riverina), Newcastle (Hunter), Bathurst (Western) and Penrith (Metropolitan) will each host a TAB Regional Championships final on their Carnival of Cups race program.
“Fast Pass” races, where the winner will earn automatic entry into the TAB Regional Championships state final, will also be held at prominent race meetings at Parkes (Western), Tamworth (Hunter), Goulburn (Metropolitan) and at the Carnival of Cups in Albury (Riverina).
The top two finishing horses from each regional final plus the four “fast pass” qualifiers will make up the 12-horse field for the blockbuster TAB Regional Championships state final in April 2026 – which has been boosted to a $150,000 purse.
It is the first change to the TAB Regional Championships format since it was introduced into the Harness Racing New South Wales calendar in 2020.
“This is a very exciting amendment to the format which has been so well received by the industry since it was developed in conjunction with its major sponsor TAB. We are excited to again be working so closely with TAB as our partner on this series,” HRNSW Chief Executive Peter Buckman said.
“The TAB Regional Championships are truly one of the great success stories in racing. It was largely born through adversity and the COVID health pandemic as a way to give heightened opportunities to participants in our regions when extended travel simply wasn’t an option.”
“The challenge has always been scheduling though so given the credibility of the brand we’ve taken this opportunity to consider its placement in the racing calendar. We think it has huge potential and it deserves to be held in front of the large crowds that the Carnival of Cups series is generating in regional areas across the state.”
“Albury and Penrith both hosted incredible Carnival of Cups events in Season 2 and we are delighted to be returning to those tracks and delivering high quality community events in those cities. We’re also pleased to be giving three new clubs in Wagga, Newcastle and Bathurst the chance to host the Carnival of Cups under its revamped format.”
TAB has again reinforced its commitment to harness racing in New South Wales and ensuring the ongoing growth and sustainability of the industry through its support of the TAB Regional Championships.
“TAB is a proud partner of harness racing in New South Wales and is particularly passionate about creating opportunities for participants in regional areas, which is exactly what the TAB Regional Championships sets out to achieve and certainly delivers,” TAB Head of Sponsorship and Events Kate Waugh said.
“Country racing is part of the DNA of the harness community and innovative concepts like this should be applauded.
“We’re On for Harness Racing at TAB and we look forward to promoting the series across the TAB App, TAB Retail Network and Sky Racing.”
Some of Australia’s biggest bands will be performing trackside at Season 3 of the Carnival of Cups. Venues will again be a hive of activity for all ages with kids entertainment and an array of local food and drink options on offer.
For more information and to stay up to date with key announcements as they are released head to www.carnivalofcups.com.au
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
(02) 9722 6600 • media@hrnsw.com.au
