New FNL record at Addington and Cambridge

A new wagering record was set at Addington and Cambridge last Friday night.

Latest data shows the combined FNL (Friday Night Lights) turnover of $1.904m was harness racing's highest winter Friday night total since records began in 2015-16.

Last year's highest corresponding figures were around $1.7m.

Broken down, Addington's turnover was $1.04m, up more than 20 per cent on last year, while Cambridge was $863,000 (up 109%) though last year it was a standalone meeting on a Thursday.

Turnover for the week totalled $3.09m, up 3.3% on the same week last year, despite running one less meeting and race numbers being down 11%. 
 
"It is very pleasing," says HRNZ's Head of Racing and Wagering Matthew Peden, "especially when you consider all the other entertainment options out there like the Football World Cup, the Super Rugby final and the Warriors."

"Both meetings had good numbers and although it's early days the move to one North Island meeting a week seems to be working well."

Announced in May, changes to winter racing in the north means that Auckland and Cambridge will race every other week on a Friday night.

"At Cambridge we saw some favourites do well but also some others that were longer in the market too like Bruno Brigade," says Peden, "it was generally very competitive racing, and in turn that produces optimal wagering outcomes."

Similarly at Addington Franco Harlem led the charge for the well-backed favourites but the likes of Commander Joe, Tempo Warrior and Amaretto Franco all got up at double figure odds.

FNL continues this week at Addington and Alexandra Park.

To see the fields for Addington click here
To see the fields for Auckland click here