Fast10 - harness racing’s answer to T20 cricket - will lauch at Addington in December
By Barry Lichter • 8 October 2019
Racing’s equivalent of T20 cricket is set to debut on Friday, December 20.
FAST 10 Horse Racing will see 10 races each of 10 horses staged in just over two and a half hours.
In what is promoted by developers Tony Russell and Glenn Hames as a world first, Quick Horse Racing Ltd will stage its first event at Addington, starting just before mid-day.
Russell and Hames, both racehorse owners, have been working on the concept for more than two years, and say the event is the next level of racing - faster than ever before, racing in half the time but doubling the fun.
Passionate about the racing industry, the pair say they want to “reignite passion and interest in the industry while creating a fun and exciting event to appeal to new customers.”
“We have seen how T20 has changed cricket and we believe that Fast10 can provide that same effect to racing in New Zealand”.
A colourful array of entertainment, yet to be revealed, will feature on the day.
Harness Racing New Zealand’s Communication and Ownership Co-Ordinator Jess Smith says more information will be available soon for licence holders, who may question the logistics of running races so close together.
Hames says the races, all sprints from the mobile gate, will start at 11.52am and be run at 18 to 20 minute intervals, ending at 2.34pm when entertainment will kick in, hopefully to be a big pre-Christmas crowd .
Work is underway to get the entire event streamed live.
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Nathan’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 4: Dreams Of Eric
6.53pm
“I was happy with his last run. He had to go back to last from the draw and when clear he ran home well. He just needs a bit of racing. He’s had only five starts, so the others have more ringcraft than him, but he could get some of it with the right trip.”
Race 6: Im Not The Maid
7.53pm
“She had to do too much work last time, parked for the last lap, but should get her chance from three.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 2: Lincoln La Moose
6.26pm
“He overdid it again last week but we’re looking for some improvement on Friday. If things go his way he’s a chance to get some money but our other horse looks more likely.”
Race 2: Kevin Kline
6.26pm
“He’s a lovely horse and I’m sure he’ll go another good race. He did well last week after that early break. Maurice was trying to let Greased Lightnin in but he’s a big horse who had other ideas and kept powering on. He just needs a bit of luck in the running.”
Race 4: Leo Lincoln
7.18pm
“He’s going honest races but he just lacked the big speed last week of horses like Greased Lightning and Seaclusion. Fergie said he had a job pulling him up. I can’t see anything beating Mantra Blue on Friday, even with a 15 metre head start, but Leo starts well and hopefully he can run a place.”
