Club News – Holiday Edition

Alexandra Park

• Auckland Cup FREE Family Fun Day at Alexandra Park  |  Tuesday 31^st December from 3pm
  Have you got plans for New Years? Alexandra Park’s Auckland Cup Day is doubling as a FREE Family Fun Day perfect for you and the family to celebrate the end of 2019! There’ll be harness racing action from the late afternoon for Mum and Dad to enjoy trackside in the huge picnic area PLUS an abundance of activities for the kids. Music, rides, entertainment, delicious food and an amazing fireworks display once the horses have gone home! Fancy a more premium experience? Opt-in for one of our Tasman Room dining packages starting from $75pp including an all-you-can-eat sumptuous buffet, we also have a beverage package available too. Click here to find out more (Jess – please insert hyper link if possible): https://www.alexandrapark.co.nz/whats-on/auckland-cup-day-nye-2019/

Club News - Nelson Harness Racing Club

Friday Jan 10 & Sunday Jan 12 - Richmond Park, Nelson

The Nelson Harness Club extends an invitation to all owners and trainers to race in sunny Nelson for their two-day Interislander Summer race meeting. Do come and join us for great hospitality, weather, racing and entertainment!!

MILE DAY – We are trying something new so please support us! All pacing events on day two (Sunday 12 January) of the meeting will be run over one mile. We believe we have a great track for mile racing making a fantastic opportunity to set up some fast times.

INCENTIVE – We are giving the fastest pacing filly/mare and the fastest colt/gelding on Day 2 over the mile a bonus of $1000.

 The trotting events, that is the maiden trot and the handicap trot will be run from a stand over the 2400m.  The Fast Track Bonus of $2500 will be on the handicap trot on Day 2 of the meeting.

The Nelson Pine Industries Summer Cup will be now held on Day 1 of the meeting, it has a stake of $14000.  The second day we will hold the Nelson Pine Industries Classic over the mile and has a stake of $12000.  All other races are for purses of $8000 to $9000. 

FOOD & BEVERAGES
Hot food and drink will be available in the Drivers Room for all trainers, drivers and their staff. 

A coffee cart will be outside the numbers room in the stabling area.  Food and drink will also be available to purchase at the food and drink stalls.

BBQ & BREAKFASTS

The club would like to invite all trainers, drivers, staff and owners to attend a BBQ in the birdcage on Thursday 11th January from 5 -7 pm.  The club are putting this on in recognition of your continued support of our race meeting.  There will be raffles available so bring a few coins.

Breakfast will be again available from 7am on Friday, Saturday and Sunday mornings at the OTB rooms.

CAMPING – is available on course and is lots of fun!!

All winning connections are invited to celebrate their success in the Presidents room after photos in the birdcage.  

Race Images will be on course and will have a range of photo options for winning connections to purchase!

Kidz Kartz will be in action both days of the meeting, back where it all started in 2007, with Nelson holding the very first Kidz Kartz races in the South Island.

The Dunstan Double – Dunstan Horse Feeds continue their growing association within the harness racing industry by offering five bags of feed to each and every horse that completes a double at the meeting. So any horse that wins both days at Richmond Park will take home five bags of feed for their trainer.

A reminder that as this is an Interislander Summer Festival meeting there will be a charge at the gate.  You need to bring with you an email/text you will receive when fields are finalised, which will give you free entry onto the course.  The club will also be handing out tickets to be placed on your dash to keep vehicles moving through the trainer’s gate.

Programmes are available on the HRNZ website, contact Jason Broad for all nominations and stabling requirements. PH: 021 127 2912

The Nelson Harness Racing Club would like to thank all their sponsors, the trainers, drivers and owners who support them in bringing Harness Racing to the Top of the South!

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and New Year and lots of luck on the race track!

Taranaki Harness Centenary

Plans are well advanced for the Centenary 29 February 2020, at New Plymouth.

Letters have gone out to over 100 pas participants plus all North Island clubs and a full list of functions are planned.

Visitors can attend the Stratford Harness meeting on Thursday 27^th February before Fridays activities which include a quick fire golf an bowls competition for teams of 3 or 4 in the afternoon, before a meet and greet at New Plymouth racecourse from 5pm onward, which will have a written pictorial, and audio visual history of the club.

The lounge has TAB self-service terminals so betting and vision of the trots at Alexander Park will be available to view.

Features of the Saturday race day include the Revital Fertiliser Taranaki Cup and Woodlands Stud Taranaki Breeders Stakes.

Any past supporters can contact the club for information on activities.

Taranaki Racing 06 7575759 [email protected]

Southern Harness Holiday News

Wairio Trotting Club – Saturday 21 December 2019

The Wairio Trotting Club host their annual Christmas meeting on Saturday 21 December at Central Southland Raceway in Winton.

The feature race is the Otautau Four Square Supermarket Wairio Trotting Cup and that race headlines ten great harness races. The club will introduce a new picnic lawn this year with music ???

Santa will pay his annual visit to the event with lollies for all the children while there will also be $2 mini jeep rides.

Losing tickets on the day will go into a draw to win betting vouchers after Race 6.

The first race is timed to start at 12.20pm and admission is free.

Gore Harness Racing Club – Friday 27 December 2019

The Gore Harness Racing Club will provide another family friendly day out and the chance to unwind after Christmas at their race day on Friday 27 December.

Racing is due to commence at 2.00pm and admission to the course is free.

A programme featuring the Mataura Licensing Trust Gore Cup and the Cardrona Distillery/Mataura Licensing Trust 3yo Stakes with a bottle of gin for the connections of every runner are the feature races. The Trust turn 64 on 21 December and will also supply a bottle of wine for the best presented horse in every race.

One of the big features of the day is a competition to Pick Ten Winners with potentially $10,000 up for grabs. The full rules are available on the Gore Harness Racing facebook page.

John Griffin provides a bottle of wine for the winning driver in each race while the connections of each winner receive a bottle of wine with the photo finish on the label.

The kids are spoiled for choice with heaps of free entertainment with jeeps, aqua bubbles and more.

Winton Harness Racing Club – New Years Eve Tuesday 31 December 2019

The Winton Harness Racing Club are encouraging families to bring a blanket and a picnic to the southern regions last meeting of 2019 at Central Southland Raceway in Winton on New Years Eve. Admission is free and racing gets under way at 2.00pm.

The meeting is the perfect way to relax after the rigours of the festive season. On track the highlight is a heat of the Southern Belle Speed Series.

Central Otago Trotting Club – Thursday 2 January 2020

Christmas holidays, family gatherings and the Omakau Trots – as kiwi as it gets.

The meeting is legendary for its great family picnic atmosphere, great racing, entertainment, activities, competitions and prizes.

The McLarens Ranfurly Transport Ltd / RD Petroleum Central Otago Cup is the feature of a great programme on the track with a quality line up assured while the entertainment is jam packed.

Fashion in the Field for the ladies (18 and over) features a prize pool of $1500, worthy of the effort the ladies go to. The competition receives great support from the Otago Daily Times and House of Travel Otago. Entries are taken early in the day, so don’t be late!

Listen out for the Dunedin City Ford competition over the course PA system. Registration numbers of local Fords or Mazda’s in any of the course’s carparks will be broadcast. Once called you have five minutes to report to go in the draw for prizes such as a one hour scenic flight around the Central Otago area for up to three people and a Highlanders season pass.

The 100-metre Fast Track Insurance Family Sulky Derby from a mobile start involving mum, dad and one child is on again while Fast Track Insurance also support the big screen which allows great viewing of each race.

A double pass to the Gibbston Valley Concert will go to the person who makes the best Facebook post of the day on the day as judged by the committee while racing guru Jonny Turner runs the Punters Club this year. There is also a lucky punter competition and the chance to win rides on the mobile barrier.
 
The kids are totally spoiled with a massive amount of free entertainment with Aqua Bubbles, Mini Jeeps, bouncy castles, an obstacle course, a massive lolly scramble, and a scavenger hunt with great prizes to name just some of the activity.

Kids’ Picks allows every child to win while trying to pick their own winners.

The course lends itself to a picnic atmosphere, as families and friends enjoy quality time under the trees with their picnics. Local community groups get right behind the event each year offering a wide range of food and beverages, from espresso coffee to whitebait, plus a licensed booth on course.

The president of the Central Otago Trotting Club, Graham Sinnamon, says he cannot express his gratitude enough to those who come along each year. It is a great day for the community as many groups help and raise funds for their activities.

Gates open at 10.00am, and the first race is scheduled to start at 12.15pm.
Admission is just $10 for adults, while under-18s are free. It is a great day out and it would be hard to find better value anywhere.

ROLL OF CHAMPIONS
The past 10 winners of the Central Otago Trotting Cup: 2019: Funatthebeach 2018: Tiger Thompson 2017: Classie Brigade 2016: Quick as a Trick 2015: Jason Rulz 2014: Jason Rulz 2013: Four Starzzz Flash 2012: Franco Ledger 2011: Stunin Cullen 2010: Cullen’s Creek

Roxburgh Trotting Club – Saturday 4 January 2020

The Roxburgh Trotting Club continue the superb mix of racing and entertainment at their meeting at the Roxburgh Racecourse on Saturday 4 January.

Some of the best trackside viewing in the region is available at the dedicated trotting track and a great day of racing is in store headlined by the Peters Genetics Roxburgh Cup.

The gates open at 10am, and the first race is scheduled for 12.18pm.

The club runs a very popular Fashion in the Field competition and once again a tremendous prize pool has been assembled thanks to several generous sponsors, including Transworld, 103 The Store, Bentley Bros Motors Ltd Millers Flat, Blooming Marvellous, Benger Garden Cafe, Brent Hill Contracting, Holiday Hair, and Toast of the Teviot. This year the competition has a theme of “a touch of leather and lace” with sections for women, men, and children. Entries will be taken on the day.

Free children’s entertainment is another big feature of the day with mini jeeps, aqua bubbles, bumper balls, bouncy castles, the bungy tramp plus a sack race and a lolly scramble.

The Jimmy’s Pies Lucky Punter Competition is always popular with holiday makers as it gives a lucky punter $50 to spend on each race, and a lucky-losing-ticket draw will result in someone on course winning a mobile phone.

A Punters Club will also operate on the day.

There will be a variety of food and beverages available around the course, in what is a wonderful picnic day full of great racing and entertainment.

Admission is $10 for adults, and under-18s are free.

ROLL OF CHAMPIONS

The past ten winners of the Roxburgh Cup:

2019: Queen Bee Bardon 2018: Delishka 2017: Mossdale Conner 2016: Tas Man Bromac 2015: Provocative Prince 2014: Comply or Die 2013: Poacher 2012: False Promise 2011: Indrah 2010: Another Homer

Interislander Summer Festival Cromwell Trots – Monday 6 January 2020

The Wyndham Harness Racing Club host the Interislander Summer Festival Cromwell Trots at the Cromwell Racecourse on Monday 6 January.

The PGG Wrightson Real Estate Cromwell/Golden View Lifestyle Village Cromwell Cup and the Cromwell & District Businesses Cup are the feature races with racing due to start at 12.18pm. Gates will open at 10.00am.

Fashion In The Field will contain categories for Best Dressed Lady, Man, Couple, Boy, Girl, Under 7 year old and also Best Fascinator. Entrants can enter on the day.

The club also has a prize for the best picnic in the car park areas each year while for the More FM Kids Go Racing area will feature colouring in competitions, games and activities plus a lolly scramble with Summer the horse.

On track for the kids is the More FM Sack Race, the Interislander Tug Of War and the Great Journeys Of New Zealand Sprint Race.

A $500 Interislander voucher will be up for grabs in the Great Journeys of New Zealand Coin Toss and a Punters Club will operate.

Mini Marquees are still available by contacting Southern Harness Racing’s Promotions Officer, Lindsay Beer at 021 351 499 or [email protected]

Admission to the course is just $10 with Under 18’s free.  

Northern Southland Trotting Club – Thursday 9 January 2020

After the Central Otago circuit harness racing returns to Ascot Park Raceway in Invercargill on Thursday 9 January with the Northern Southland Trotting Club meeting.

The club always offer great features at their events and they have a competition running throughout all three of their 2019/2020 race meetings. Just put your losing tote tickets in the barrels around the course with your name and contact details on the back and two people will be drawn to win flights to Stewart Island, courtesy of Stewart Island Flights. The draws will be made just before the last race of the day. Already two winners were drawn at the clubs opening meeting of the season in October, two will be drawn at this meeting and two more will be drawn at the Northern Southland Trotting Club Cup Day in March, meaning six people in total will win trips.

Owners can head to the Alabar Owners Room on the first floor where they can enjoy hospitality throughout the day while an Owners Prize draw will put the winner into a draw with the two winners from the clubs other dates for one of three season prizes – first a trip for two people to the Rowe Cup in Auckland in 2020 with accommodation, rental car and a tour of Alabar Stud courtesy of House Of Travel Lakers and Alabar, second an afternoon hosted at Macca Lodge followed by an evening meal and accommodation in the motel at the Waikaia Hotel and third one night accommodation at the Ascot Park Hotel courtesy of the ILT.

Access to the Top of the Park costs just $40 for a great day of hospitality.

Feature races include the House Of Travel Lakers Summer Cup, the Elite Harness Racing Stables/Gordon Sutherland Memorial Trot and the Vet South Equine Southern Belle Speed Series Heat.

Course admission on the day is free and the first race is timed to start at 3.36pm.

Wyndham Harness Racing Club – Thursday 16 January

After their meeting in Cromwell earlier in the month the Wyndham Harness Racing Club return to their home course – Young Quinn Raceway in Wyndham on Thursday 16 January for a twilight meeting starting at 3.00pm. Admission is free.

For any information or bookings at Southern Harness Racing meetings contact – Lindsay Beer – Promotions Officer Southern Harness Racing – 021 351 499/[email protected]

Marlborough Harness Racing Club Information

Marlborough Harness Racing Club is racing on the 17^th and 19^th of January 2020.  Day one starts around 2pm (twilight meeting) and day two around noon.

This is the centennial year for Waterlea racecourse – 100 years since racing commenced on the track.

We have the Cup prelude race on Friday and on the Sunday the Marlborough Cup will be run.

We are running a race on Sunday for trotters which will have a Ladies Bracelet as a trophy.  This is harking back to early years when a Ladies Bracelet was a regular race.

We have added to the prize money for the races as a way of marking the occasion.  There is also a centennial cover for every winner on the second day.

The Sunday racebook is a memorial book with details and photos throughout the years. There will also be a display of memorabilia.

On the Sunday we have the Summer of Racing promotion with all the usual entertainment – particularly for the kids.  We also have packages for hospitality tents.  If interested please contact us at [email protected].

Friday we have VIP packages – if interested please contact us at [email protected].

For trainers and owners we will have breakfast as usual – Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

It is a great occasion – celebrating 100 years.  Please come and join us.

Hawea Picnic Equalisator Meeting – 28 December

At the Domain, Domain Road, Lake Hawea $10 Adults Children Free

Chocolate Wheel, Tug-of-War (old and young), Raffles, Lolly Scramble, Bouncy

Castle, Ice Creams and BBQ

First Event 10.00am

Races include:

Ponies: Odds and Evens Jumping, Six Bar Jumping, Cloverleaf Barrel Race, Musterer’s Race/AKA the Gumboot Race, Pony Trot, Medley- Walk, Trot, Canter, Bending Race (Mixed Teams), Cup Race (Mixed Teams), Best Bare Back Rider Walk, Trot, Canter, Jump

Racing: 12.30pm Presidents Triathlon Relay, Makarora Pacing Handicap, Saddle Trot for Hacks, Musterer’s Race, Hawea Cup, 1/4 Mile Sprint.