Picnicking at iconic country racetracks like Waikouaiti is on the way out.
Check out where, when and how many times they’re racing in the 20-21 draft harness dates
By Barry Lichter • 15 May 2020
The Auckland Trotting Club is happy that it will retain 29 Friday night meetings in the draft calendar released for next season.
Alexandra Park will host 36 meetings, down only a few on this season but, most importantly, vice president Jamie Mackinnon says it keeps its familiar end of week presence.
“Auckland is a Friday night club essentially - we’ve traditionally built our business around Friday night hospitality.”
Auckland has 16 Friday night meetings to itself, and another 13 in tandem with Addington, on the best punting night of the week.
And while Auckland will share Thursday nights with Cambridge through August and September, when Addington has sole grip on Fridays, Mackinnon says it won’t matter so much with the public not expected to be allowed on course by then under the COVID-19 restrictions.
“When the public comes back the Alex Bar will be the focus for generating food, with our Function Centre firmly closed, but just like other places we’re not expecting people to rush back as soon as we open the gates.”
Mackinnon says the main thing is the calendar provides regular racing for horses in the Auckland region.
Cambridge Raceway will host 34 meetings next season under the proposed dates, up six on the present season’s allocation.
CEO David Branch said in essence the club will be racing fortnightly, with 27 Thursday night meetings.
“We’re pretty happy to see some consistency in our dates which is what we have been after for a long time.
“We have an average of 170 horses trained at our Cambridge Raceway and Scott Reserve (Morrinsville) training centres which will be well catered for between ourselves and Alexandra Park.”
Branch said it was disappointing, however, to lose its traditional Christmas Eve meeting for both harness and greyhounds.
No dates have been allocated in the Central Districts but local officials are hoping their submissions on running dual code meetings at Palmerston North with the greyhounds will be approved.
All of the grass track meetings on the traditional summer country circuit have disappeared.
The South Island landscape also loses much of its country flavour with only two weeks around Christmas-New Year providing opportunities for picnickers to enjoy the small country tracks.
From Boxing day on there will be two meetings at Westport, one at Reefton, one at Omakau, two at Cromwell and two at Nelson.
Kaikoura retains its back-to-back days in early November.
Dunedin has no meetings at Forbury Park.
Harness racing dates on the draft calendar
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Nathan’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 1: Lincoln Linda
5.55pm
“She needed the run last week. Even though she galloped in the score-up, her manners are definitely improving as she didn’t pull in the running. She’ll be sharper this week so hopefully she’ll pace away and get the job done. It looks a pretty even field.”
Race 4: Lincoln Lover
7.18pm
“He only battled away last start and Fergie said he wasn’t really on the bit at the back of the field. He’s been racing for a while and might be a bit fatigued. The outside draw doesn’t help either and Soul Artist was very impressive winning last time.”
Race 6: Lincoln Maree
8.22pm
“She hasn’t got a lot of speed but she tries hard so the best spot for her might be in front, rolling along. That said, her closing sectionals (57.8, 27.9) were the best in the race last time. We couldn’t get one of the Sharpe boys so we’ve had to settle for Frank Phelan. She’s an each-way chance with Andy (Sharpe) the one to beat on Commander Lincoln.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 2: Leo Lincoln
5.21pm
“We’ve thrown him in the deep end, but it was either that or trial. He’s been going OK but he’ll need the run for sure.”
Race 2: Spiritual Bliss
5.21pm
“She won’t be completely out of it, she’s better than people think. The inside second row draw isn’t ideal, and luck will obviously play a part, but I think she’ll be competitive.”
Race 3: Rivergirl Bella
5.57pm
“She was always going to need the run last time as it was her first for a long time. She’ll improve off that. She’s plenty fast enough but needs to get fitter.”
Race 3: Sammy Lincoln
5.57pm
“We found he had a bit of a virus after he last raced so had to ease up on him. He’ll be a little short (on fitness) but his class should carry him through. He is vulnerable with his behaviour at the moment but he’s only got to get round without any silliness and I can’t see how they can beat him.”
Race 4: Johnny Lincoln
6.24pm
“He’s racing super and they’ll know he’s there. He’s trained on well since his Metro Final win. He races tough and at Auckland they have to be tough now.”
