Alexandra Park in 1959 … a far cry from the attendances at today’s meetings.
Seven fewer harness meetings next season with no relief for the North Island
By Barry Lichter • 21 May 2023
Harness racing has taken a hit with seven fewer meetings next season in a calendar released by the TAB to “maximise revenue and reduce costs”.
A total of 242 harness meetings are carded, down from 249 this season, with gallops gaining one more meeting to 294 and greyhounds static on 432.
The beleagured Auckland Trotting Club loses one meeting, with just 31 dates, including one extra lower returning Thursday (12) and two fewer Fridays (18).
Waikato will host 28 meetings including 17 Thursdays, seven Fridays, three Sundays and a Monday.
Five back-to-back Auckland and Cambridge meetings on Thursday and Friday nights remain despite the shortage of horses in the north.
The Central Districts holds on to its five Tuesday-Thursday meetings at Palmerston North from November through March, plus a couple of Monday mini six-race cards.
Hawera will be the only central club to host a two-day grass meeting in February, with six-race cards retained for both Tauherenikau and Otaki in January.
North Island dates next season
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Les Harding
Monday at Globe Derby
Race 7: Beaudiene Rocknroll
7.29pm NZ time
He’s been working well and has taken benefit from his first-up run, when he was attacked mercilessly in front. Scratchings bring him in to three on the gate from where he can hopefully lead or, at worst, trail if Celestical Zodiac adopts his usual pattern and stays in front. Boss Major is the biggest danger.
Mark Dux’s comments
Thursday at Albion Park
Race 8: Captain Nemo
5.43pm NZ time
“He felt like the old Nemo when he worked today. He dashed up nicely, and wanted to do it, and that’s when you know he’s feeling all right. But we won’t be out there to make something happen from the second row. We’ll drive him cold and, if we have some luck, great. It’s not a super hard field, and I could see him finishing really strongly.”
Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 2: Commander Lincoln
6.04pm
“He’s honest enough and you have to consider him an each-way chance given the sort of horses he’s racing against.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Obadiah Dragon
5.32pm
“He’s drawn awkwardly in a capacity field so he’ll need a lot of luck. But, as long as he doesn’t have to do too much work, he’ll get home well. He’s a nicer horse than people think.”
Race 1: Frisco Bay
5.32pm
“I thought he went really well last time but I can’t label him from four on the second row in a nice field. He’ll need to fluke a really good trip to threaten.”
Race 3: Leo Lincoln
6.30pm
“It’s a handy bunch of horses so you could say I’m hopeful rather than confident. He’s drawn one a few times and hasn’t shown a lot of gate speed but he should get out well enough to land a handy trip. I’m hoping he can run in the first three or four.”
Race 3: My Copy
6.30pm
“He’s in career best form but will need a perfect trip. He needs to stay handy without spending too much petrol. He follows speed well but we’ll be relying on luck.”
