Seddon Trotting Country Cup Series to kick off at Kaikoura

"Four" will be the magic number for trotters taking part in the up-coming Seddon Trotting Country Cup series.

The series around the top half of the South Island has been confirmed for another year starting on Kaikoura Cup day on Monday, November 3 and culminating in a $30,000 Final at Addington on March 20, 2026.

There will be 10 "heats" in all at Kaikoura, Westport, Reefton, Nelson, and Blenheim.  

The series is all about encouraging trainers to start on the circuit and boosting the profile of trotters and turnovers at the respective meetings.  

To qualify for the Final trotters must start at least four times on the Seddon circuit and at least one of those starts must be in a designated Series race.

The final field will be made up of the highest point earners over the circuit, with preference given to horses who have started in a Series race.

Apart from Kaikoura, where it's the South Bay Trotters Cup, the designated race will be the highest rated trot on the day (R51-70).

Designated Qualifying Races and Final are as follows:

Heats :

November 3 - Kaikoura - $20,000
December 26 - Westport - $15,000
December 28 - Westport - $20,000
December 30 - Reefton - $20,000
January 9 - Nelson - $15,000
January 11 - Nelson - $20,000
January 16 - Marlborough - $15,000
January 18 - Marlborough - $20,000
March 6 - Westport - $17,500
March 8 - Reefton -  $17,500

Final : March 20 - Addington - $30,000

Points for the Series will be :

▪ 10 points for 1st
▪ 6 points for 2nd
▪ 3 points for 3rd
▪ 2 points for 4th
▪ 1 point for every other starter

Racegoers will notice a big change at Nelson this year too. The grandstand has been demolished in the past month or so is now just a concrete pad. On race day there will portacoms in place to accommodate officials, drivers and other personnel.

For more information re the Seddons Shields series contact erinkfox24@gmail.com