Manawatu gets makeover ahead of 2025 season

 A refurbished track and a number of Sunday meetings will be features of Manawatu's 2025 season.

With the club's first meetings of the year on next week (February 11 and 13) the Palmerston North track has had a major upgrade.

"We have had the top done before but this is bigger than that, we are scrapping right down to the base," says Manawatu Harness Racing Club President Dan Lynch, "the last time that happened was 18 to 19 years ago."

"We have John Denton (HRNZ's Track Facilities Manager) here and 800 to 900 tons of old track will be replaced by around 450 tons of new material."

"It should be in great condition for the first meeting on the 11th."

The club is also looking at upgrading its lighting system in March-April after the new lights and pylons arrive from China.

"We are essentially replacing like for like but it will make a big difference."

Funding for the track has come from the club and the Racing Safety Fund while the Manawatu-based Central Energy Trust is helping out with the lighting upgrade to the tune of $200,000.

"They are very supportive and we are very grateful. However, we are always keen to access any additional funding that may be available"  he said.

The club will stump up with the remaining $100,000.

The club has 12 race meetings between February and May and the season will have a markedly different look about it.

While they will still have their regular Tuesday - Thursday meetings, they will also have many on a Sunday and a Tuesday, starting mid to late afternoon.

Numbers permitting, each will have eight races.

"It will be a new experience and we will do the best we can," says Lynch, "and we do have some good stakes - on March the 13th for instance we have a $25,000 Pace and a $20,000 Trot."

The minimum stake on both February 11 and 13 is $10,000.

"We think trainers will see the opportunities here, good stakes and two bites of the cherry if you like - a meeting on a Sunday and then another just two days later."