Final date confirmed for Forbury Park

The Forbury Park venue will host its last harness racing meeting on July 8, it’s been confirmed.

For months speculation has swirled about the future of the South Dunedin venue, after an Otago/Southland Tri-code Racing review in February recommended it close. The venue was not considered viable without substantial investment.

Now it’s been agreed that Forbury Park will host its scheduled meetings this season. That means they will have meetings on May 27, June 10, June 24, and July 1 before their final meeting on July 8.

From next season the Forbury Park Trotting Club will continue, with four meetings scheduled at Wingatui and Wyndham.

The raceway was initially developed in 1870 on an area of reclaimed swamp, with the first harness meeting held in 1909.

It has not been decided what will happen to the 12-hectare site at St Kilda. Among the ideas being floated is a mix of social, community and private housing.