Greg O gets The Box Seat back on TV next Wednesday - but it’s last cab off the rank
By Barry Lichter • 16 September 2020
Harness racing’s weekly television show The Box Seat is set for a surprise return next Wednesday - but you’ll have to stay up late on Wednesday nights to watch it on TV.
The Box Seat was one of the many magazine shows which were axed by the cash strapped Racing Industry Transition Agency earlier in the year.
And with the the newly formed TAB NZ now placing a firm emphasis on live racing and punting, the Box Seat looked certain to fill a permanent back seat.
But co-host Greg O’Connor, who resigned from a new post at Addington Raceway to rekindle the show, has since managed to secure enough funding from inside the industry to produce the show himself.
“It will first screen on Trackside at the close of live racing most Wednesday nights and then be replayed on Thursday,” says O’Connor.
“So that means it could be 9pm or sometimes even later on the Wednesday night.”
O’Connor says that could see many people record the show to watch it when more suitable but it will also be available for viewing on the harness industry’s website www.hrnz.co.nz, probably late Wednesday afternoon.
“With people getting so used to streaming and watching shows online I think that will be a realistic option for plenty of viewers.”
O’Connor believes The Box Seat has a huge role to play in promoting the industry as well as driving turnover on harness racing.
“It is also a great vehicle for telling people’s stories and putting faces to the names in harness racing, whether they be premiership winners or a junior driving getting their first success.
“So I was thrilled so many people inside the industry wanted to support it to get it back, including HRNZ and some of the clubs.
“We have a really strong family of sponsors and we couldn’t have got the show back without them.”
O’Connor said he had worked closely with the broadcasting arm of TAB NZ around the logistics of getting the show made and back on television.
“We really appreciate being able to use the same studios and sets because they have been a big part of the show.”
The Box Seat, with regular co-host Michael Guerin re-joining O’Connor on the show, will be recorded on Wednesdays, as it always was, so markets are available to preview races in the coming weekend.
The series is expected to run for 33 shows and is likely to include the traditionally popular The Box Seat special New Zealand Cup preview show.
O’Connor is also working with racing channels and websites in Australia to screen the show to drive engagement with the New Zealand harness industry.
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$10,000 weanling Johnny Lincoln surprises again with fifth win over white hot blue blood
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Nathan’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 2: Lincoln Maree
5.55pm
“Frank drove a nice race on her last time, doing a bit of work early before leading and trailing, but I think the result might have been different if she’d led all the way. She has no speed, she’s better in front and rolling, so this week we’ll tell Frank to go forward and to not hand up and hopefully she can go one better.”
Race 4: The Night Fox
6.56pm
“He got KOed last time at Auckland but Harry said he felt like he could have won with a decent draw so we’ll just put that race behind us. I wouldn’t say this field is any harder. We’ve got a bad draw again but it depends on how the race pans out. I think he can still win.”
Race 6: Lincoln Lover
7.58pm
“He’s doing a good job, and he ran home well last time at Cambridge, but Leo Lincoln is definitely the pick of ours.”
Race 6: Leo Lincoln
7.58pm
“He’ll strip a lot fitter and I think he’s a good winning chance. He’s been racing open class horses and this is a huge drop back for him.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Lincoln Linda
5.06pm
“I’m not holding my breath. She beat a poor bunch at Cambridge and will have to step up here.”
Race 2: Rivergirl Bella
5.45pm
“Given the right trip, she should finish off not too bad as she has a bit of speed but, after two runs back, she needs to improve.”
Race 7: Missy Lincoln
8.09pm
“She’s only little but she trialled super and got home in 2:00.6 mile rate. If she repeats that, she’ll be in the fray. It’s early days yet but she’s a nice, tractable filly who has drawn well in two and, based on that one trial, you’d have to give her a chance. Whether she improves off it, we’ll see.”
Race 8: Spiritual Bliss
8.34pm
“I don’t think any of the others stand over her. She’s a tough mare who has trained on well. I’d love to see her in front, she’s proven that’s where she goes best, but whether she’ll get there from four is debatable. But I’m sure she’ll go another good race.”
