Club News 20 November

Motukarara Workouts

Following the prior signalling by the Motukarara Workouts Association to cease the local workouts, a new group is poised to come in and take up the ‘reins’ from the departing committee.

At the Special General Meeting and AGM of the Motukarara Trotting Association on Wednesday, 20 November, a new Executive Committee will be confirmed. The Association however requires a further six people to fill the wider committee.

It is hoped that Mot’ Workouts will be back up and running prior to this Christmas with the new regime in place.

The previous committee, headed up by Noel Scott, David O’Connell and Caroline Bennet, the bulk of which had been involved in the association for decades is stepping aside to usher in new team including Murray Edmonds, Glen and Ross Cameron.

Spokesman for the incoming committee, Kerry Cameron, gave HRNZ an update on current happenings. “The previous committee did a great job for a long time and it’s now time a new group took up the task of keeping the workouts going. The key thing is to come out of the meetings this week is fill the committee and ensure we have the members and volunteers to make the workouts happen.”

“We’re looking to run the workouts fortnightly but if demand is strong then that might change.”

For more information to or register your interest in becoming involved with the Motukarara Trotting Association contact Ross Cameron Phone: 021-345-661 or Email: [email protected]

Manawatu - Thursday 21 November

The club is delighted with field numbers for tomorrow’s meeting and is looking forward to meetings on 10 and 12th December with the clubhouse booked out with Christmas events on the 12th.

A focus is on the January 31st Friday night meeting followed by the Sunday on the grass at Otaki. This is being promoted as family day and we look forward to support by trainers and owners. Look for more information coming on these two race days.

Invercargill HRC - Friday 22 November

The Invercargill Harness Racing Club host a twilight race meeting this Friday 22 November.

The ten race programme is scheduled to start at 3.30pm with the last race timed for 8.20pm.

Several groups are taking advantage of the event for Christmas functions while the twilight format allows plenty of time for those working on Friday to come along when their day is done.

There will be a free bag of lollies for any children on course after Race 6 while all losing tote tickets up to race five will go in the draw for a meal voucher from Level 1 Restaurant & Bar.

Alexandra Park News – Friday 22 November

Who Will Be First Past the NEW Post At This Year’s IRT ID19?
Epsom, Auckland – November 2019. Auckland’s iconic Harness Racing track, Alexandra Park
has a high-tech new look at the finishing post, although it's envisaged that this year's Interdominion winners will be going too fast to notice themselves on the big screen!

The high-tech new board replaces the old one that comprised no less than 5,000 lightbulbs on the outfield. The new, 88.47 sqm (5670mm H x 15360mm W) board will bring racegoers to Alexandra Park their racing in high definition that is fully integrated with the timing equipment, FinishLynx Photo Finish system and the Totalisator using proprietary Graeme Brook software.

The new board was one is just one of the enhancements made by Alexandra Park, together with the Racing Industry Transition Agency (RITA) to ready itself for the upcoming IRT Interdominion 2019 Championships which commences Friday, 29th November. The Interdominion Championships is widely regarded as the Bledisloe Cup of harness racing, pitting the best of the best Australian horses and drivers against their Kiwi rivals. The Championship comprises a series of three heats culminating in the Saturday 14 December final.

Competitors will also enjoy the benefits of a newly surfaced track at Alexandra Park. 'The Park' last saw a resurface of the track in 2014 and since then has seen more than 2,500 races run without incident or cancellation of a race meeting. With nothing going to waste, the shell and sand mix surface was carted to Franklin Park and put to good use around the perimeter of the training track.

Alexandra Park CEO, Mauro Barsi says, “Hosting the IRT ID19 Championship offers an international opportunity to showcase the new track, the quality of which is critical to fairness and transparency, whether driving, training, owning, betting or other participant interests.”

Completed on the 2nd October, the new track surface comprises 350 Tonnes of high-quality material and was laid in consultation with John Denton, Track and Venue Inspector for Harness Racing New Zealand, (HRNZ).

Alexandra Park's sales and marketing manager, Kim Walsh, says "The entire team is under 'starters orders' and very ready to run! With a great lineup of racing, entertainment and hospitality, including the one-off, pop up party in Potters Paddock, visitors to Alexandra Park are in a for a real treat as we turn it on for this very special series."

The "same but very different" moment was not lost on the legendary clerk of the course horse, Casper who gave himself a thorough check over when Clerk of the Course Ron Weller test rode the new finishing post and giant-sized LED indicator board on the infield.

Hospitality and entertainment packages are available to also include IRT ID19 races as part of Alexandra Park’s traditional ‘Christmas at the Races’ series.

Alexandra Park Christmas at the Races | November & December
Plan the perfect Christmas Party to celebrate the end of the year with Alexandra Park Christmas at the Races. Enjoy a delicious Christmas buffet surrounded by colleagues, friends and family. We’ve got premier harness racing action featuring the IRT Inter Dominion Championship and live entertainment after the last race. Don’t delay as this is our busiest time of year, head to alexandrapark.co.nz to get your tickets!

IRT Inter Dominion Championship Series | November & December
Witness the ultimate test of equine speed and strength at this years’ IRT Inter Dominion Championship Series at Alexandra Park throughout November and December. Start with the Welcome Cocktail Party being held at the Rydges Rooftop Terrace on Thursday 28th November. Then get absolutely engulfed in harness racing action with the IRT ID19 heats (29th November, 3rd December, 6th December). Don’t miss the Barrier Draw Brunch at The Alex Bar & Eatery on Sunday 8th December to get you amped up for the GRAND FINAL on Saturday 14th December where you’ll see the best of the best go head to head to take out the championship! Keen to find out more information? Go to www.id19.co.nz

Timaru HRC - Sunday 24 November
Bring your family and picnic to the Timaru HRC Family Fun Day Sunday 24 November.

There are 11 races with the first race starting at 12.20pm. Free Entry.

A big welcome to owners and trainers and their families. We offer owners a complimentary refreshment in the Steward Stand as they watch their horse racing.

We have a quality field for the Tyre General SC/Fast track Insurance $2.5K Added Stake Timaru Cup ( $14,500). Thanks to the Neumann Family and Fasttrack Insurance for their sponsorship support of this race.

Extra Entertainment for the day includes:
Lucky prize draws including 4 Family Goodie Bags
Family Novelty races including sulky race, Pony Express Family race and obstacle race
Kiddies Castle and Kiddies Lucky numbers
U Bake Washdyke Colouring Competition. Yummy prizes of donuts and bakery delights for winners.

Family or social groups bring your tent & BBQ. Tent sites are still available close to the action and horse parade ring.
Ring 684 3400 or email [email protected] to book your tent site.

Phar Lap Raceway
NZ Trotting Cup Winner Cruz Bromac qualified here
NZ Galloping Winner Dee and Cee trains here

Be a winner and visit Phar Lap Raceway on Sunday 24 November

Cheviot Harness Racing Club – Stallion Tenders

The Cheviot Harness Racing Club has two stallion tenders on offer.

DOWNBYTHESEASIDE – a son of Somebeachsomewhere

Equal fastest 2yo in Standardbred history, paced 1.49 - Breeders Crown Final
2019/20 Service Fee RRP – $6,000+GST.
PEGASUS SPUR – sire of Speeding Spur

Sire of Speeding Spur – now competing at the highest level in the USA
Sire of Paramount Gee Gee
2019/20 Service Fee RRP – $3,000+GST.
Please send all tenders to [email protected]