The New Racing Season 2022

[Double R]

HRNZ are pleased to release the 2022 January to December racing programme to you today. The process started back in April when we proposed changing the horses official birthday to January 1st. This was approved by all clubs on May 27th.   HRNZ are pleased to release the 2022 January to December racing programme to you today. The process started back in April when we proposed changing the horses official birthday to January 1st. This was approved by all clubs on May 27th. HRNZ brought together an architect team to work through the Group, Listed and Feature races to see how we could reconfigure our racing programme to reinvigorate Harness Racing, as well as looking at the grass roots - those horses who week in and week out provide consistent racing and a return to our industry. We have also been mindful of the lack of numbers at certain levels of horses and have tried to group these to race together in the carnivals to attract fuller fields and a better return. Please find all supporting documents below as well as some key points: Group Racing Draft Schedule 2022 Group Racing Draft Schedule 2022 - Age Groups Proposed - Country Championship Qualifying Races Country Championship (Easter Cup) - information Regional Ratings Days - visual chart Country Championship - visual chart Rated At The Time Of Series (RATTOS) - concept document We believe we have put forward some exciting events to help reinvigorate Harness Racing with the likes of: The 6 race Harness Million 3YO series in February in Auckland. The Autumn Carnival in the North Island starting with "The Race" for non HRNZ Funded $500,000 at Cambridge finishing with the $400,000 Auckland Cup and $250,000 Rowe Cup together in May. We believe this will attract Australian interest and fits neatly between their Miracle Mile and Rising Sun Carnivals. Horses can fly into Auckland and directly out to Brisbane. We are hoping this will lead to an annual mini-interdominion series in the North Island to attract export income as well as create domestic interest in our racing. Starting with Ashburton at Labour Weekend and finishing in Invercargill in December we have created a Spring Carnival with the major racing in between these two meetings at Kaikoura and Addington. Addington will start with Cup Day which will now have the 2YO C&G Sires Stakes final with the 3YO C&G final moving to Addington in May from 2023, the Nevele R 3YO Fillies Final and a standing start Group 3 Open class Trotters race as a lead up to the Dominion which will remain on Show Day. Show Day will also host the Sires Stakes 2YO Fillies and Trotters finals. Move to early December (day to be agreed with TAB) and we have our super hybrid Jewels Day which will have 4 x $100,000 2YO races (both gaits and both sexes), NZ Derby for both gaits and the NZ Pacing Oaks. The NZ Trotting Oaks is the week before. It will also include the Group 1 Trotters FFA moved from Cup Day and a Group 3 Open Pace. Then we want our open class horses to head to Invercargill for the $100,000 Invercargill Cup and a $30,000 Group 3 Open Trot. This then leads into our ongoing successful Summer racing circuit throughout Southland, Central Otago, Canterbury and Seddons' Shields areas. In addition to this we have created a Country Cup Championship with increased stakes for all Cups and a $100,000 final at Addington at Easter to replace the Easter Cup. This is for 4YO and older horses at the intermediate grade with qualifying conditions. Also on this day will be 6 x $30,000 ratings finals (4 pacing and 2 trotting) for horses HRNZ brought together an architect team to work through the Group, Listed and Feature races to see how we could reconfigure our racing programme to reinvigorate Harness Racing, as well as looking at the grass roots - those horses who week in and week out provide consistent racing and a return to our industry. We have also been mindful of the lack of numbers at certain levels of horses and have tried to group these to race together in the carnivals to attract fuller fields and a better return. Please find all supporting documents below as well as some key points: Group Racing Draft Schedule 2022 Group Racing Draft Schedule 2022 - Age Groups Proposed - Country Championship Qualifying Races Country Championship (Easter Cup) - information Regional Ratings Days - visual chart Country Championship - visual chart Rated At The Time Of Series (RATTOS) - concept document We believe we have put forward some exciting events to help reinvigorate Harness Racing with the likes of: The 6 race Harness Million 3YO series in February in Auckland. The Autumn Carnival in the North Island starting with "The Race" for non HRNZ Funded $500,000 at Cambridge finishing with the $400,000 Auckland Cup and $250,000 Rowe Cup together in May. We believe this will attract Australian interest and fits neatly between their Miracle Mile and Rising Sun Carnivals. Horses can fly into Auckland and directly out to Brisbane. We are hoping this will lead to an annual mini-interdominion series in the North Island to attract export income as well as create domestic interest in our racing. Starting with Ashburton at Labour Weekend and finishing in Invercargill in December we have created a Spring Carnival with the major racing in between these two meetings at Kaikoura and Addington. Addington will start with Cup Day which will now have the 2YO C&G Sires Stakes final with the 3YO C&G final moving to Addington in May from 2023, the Nevele R 3YO Fillies Final and a standing start Group 3 Open class Trotters race as a lead up to the Dominion which will remain on Show Day. Show Day will also host the Sires Stakes 2YO Fillies and Trotters finals. Move to early December (day to be agreed with TAB) and we have our super hybrid Jewels Day which will have 4 x $100,000 2YO races (both gaits and both sexes), NZ Derby for both gaits and the NZ Pacing Oaks. The NZ Trotting Oaks is the week before. It will also include the Group 1 Trotters FFA moved from Cup Day and a Group 3 Open Pace. Then we want our open class horses to head to Invercargill for the $100,000 Invercargill Cup and a $30,000 Group 3 Open Trot. This then leads into our ongoing successful Summer racing circuit throughout Southland, Central Otago, Canterbury and Seddons' Shields areas. In addition to this we have created a Country Cup Championship with increased stakes for all Cups and a $100,000 final at Addington at Easter to replace the Easter Cup. This is for 4YO and older horses at the intermediate grade with qualifying conditions. Also on this day will be 6 x $30,000 ratings finals (4 pacing and 2 trotting) for horses   Home     |    Racing    |    InfoHorse    |    HRNZ    |    Contact Harness Racing New Zealand Inc. .

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[karrotsishere]

This looks excellent. So Jewels is still on & at Addington looks like it is JUST for 2 y-os tho. BUT a seperate race for boys & girls trotters. Thats great for them! And later in year in Dec. So more will be up and ready to race.

Love this Country Cup $100k final and more than 30 Country Cup races.

A $500k race at Cambridge. Did I read that right? Wow.

[karrotsishere]

The Country Cup qualifiers look like majority are $20k. 

Well Karrots LIKES this ALOT. WELL DONE HRNZ & those that pitched in and HELPED.

I know everyone will have their own thoughts and opinions on it. But mine are this is what was needed and a step in the right direction. 

[Double R]

30 minutes ago, karrotsishere said:

This looks excellent. So Jewels is still on & at Addington looks like it is JUST for 2 y-os tho. BUT a seperate race for boys & girls trotters. Thats great for them! And later in year in Dec. So more will be up and ready to race.

Love this Country Cup $100k final and more than 30 Country Cup races.

A $500k race at Cambridge. Did I read that right? Wow.

Yes, you did read that right Karrots. A $500,000 race on the 14th of April, at Cambridge, for open class pacers.

[karrotsishere]

Roger that. 

The only 1 bit of feedback I would give other than LOVE it. Is the Country CUP final IMO should not be open to horse R100 or R90 or maybe even R80 for that matter. I see the conditions are to start 30m or 40m for R100 BUT over 3200m. 

Have it set at a rating. Think they do that at Menangle. Lightning might know. But think the Country Cup Final Group 3 recently at Menangle was up to NR80. Should be something similar here. Otherwise they might just get horses that are open class enter. Defeats the WHOLE purpose of the series.

Note it is still just draft so some amendments can still be made. 

Edited October 28, 2021 by karrotsishere

[Happy Sunrise]

4 hours ago, Double R said:

A $500,000 race on the 14th of April

Who pays for this? It is different isn't it.

[Double R]

4 minutes ago, Happy Sunrise said:

Who pays for this? It is different isn't it.

Yes, I noticed that Happy, as it stated it is not HRNZ funded.

[Happy Sunrise]

3 minutes ago, Double R said:

Yes, I noticed that Happy, as it stated it is not HRNZ funded.

So owners pay to enter?

This may seem like a great idea but with the domination of one stable it may not work. Why fund Self Assured or SCA?

Country Cups with a 100K final at Addington will disadvantage the grass trackers.

[Double R]

The details will be interesting on that one for sure.

I wouldn't have thought there would be that many open class horses around to self fund the event through entry fees.

[Globederby19]

4 minutes ago, Double R said:

The details will be interesting on that one for sure.

I wouldn't have thought there would be that many open class horses around to self fund the event through entry fees.

That's like a Melbourne Cup sweepstake . $10 bucks ,in winner takes all. Pointless.

Cannot see to many Aussies running in a self funded race, it costs them enough to get here as it is, along with this Covid nonsense.

Strange wording to say the least. 

Give them their due,at least they have made an attempt.

[Field Commander]

1 hour ago, Globederby19 said:

That's like a Melbourne Cup sweepstake . $10 bucks ,in winner takes all. Pointless.

TAB to Sell 100,000 tickets @ $5 each.

Winning ticket holders to negotiate their % of stake money earned with owners of potential entrants.

Call it the Pirongia?

Edited October 28, 2021 by Field Commander
Afterthought

[Mike]

7 hours ago, karrotsishere said:

The Country Cup qualifiers look like majority are $20k. 

Well Karrots LIKES this ALOT. WELL DONE HRNZ & those that pitched in and HELPED.

I know everyone will have their own thoughts and opinions on it. But mine are this is what was needed and a step in the right direction. 

If you look at all like her Karrots ring me

Mike

[Rusty]

3 hours ago, Happy Sunrise said:

Country Cups with a 100K final at Addington will disadvantage the grass trackers.

That was my immediate thought too. 

Should be held at Riccarton. 

[karrotsishere]

10 hours ago, Mike said:

If you look at all like her Karrots ring me

Mike

No surprises there. Think most of the world agrees with you Mike.

She is Sophia Vergara, ex Miss Colombia, 1 of the most current well known HOTTEST Latinas from hit USA TV show Modern Family. She’s 49 nearly 50 & still looks fantastic.

Recently watched a Netflix show called (El Dragon) - in Spanish with subtitles & noticed a great actress - Renata Notni.

Feel if she gets a USA break she will take the place of Sophia Vergara as the new Latina IT girl. Heres a pic of her.

Edited October 28, 2021 by karrotsishere

[karrotsishere]

To get back to subject, there are further articles on HRNZ today explaining more about the changes.

1 other thing Im thinking. I hope they keep the Jewels 2y-os the same as previous years e.g. earn your spot via stake money.

Also noted that HRNZ has been given the green light by TAB to host 1 Saturday nite but only for next year. Better than nothing suppose. Looks like it will be held at Alex.

[karrotsishere]

In other news, think it's a great idea to try to encourage Jnr Drivers to get drives, HRNZ have announced be half points for Jnr wins for horses 4 y-os + if driven by a Jnr.

[karrotsishere]

On 10/28/2021 at 2:38 PM, Double R said:

Yes, you did read that right Karrots. A $500,000 race on the 14th of April, at Cambridge, for open class pacers.

This has been confirmed but its $900k now. A minimum buy in of 3 years @ $75k each. As per the Boxseat announcement. Think they said NZ now richest race. 

[Double R]

19 minutes ago, karrotsishere said:

This has been confirmed but its $900k now. A minimum buy in of 3 years @ $75k each. As per the Boxseat announcement. Think they said NZ now richest race. 

I am sure it will rely on Australian open class horses to make the race interesting. I feel we don't have the depth in our horses alone, to do the race justice.

[karrotsishere]

Think its a great idea. And great for the North. Its pref barrier draw, so targeting mares & 3 y-os too. Distance 2200. So not a marathon or a sprint. 

Slot holders targeted would be potentially big businesses for marketing purposes, over a particular horse as its over 3 years. Then the slot buyer negotiates with the owners/trainers of a particular horse that year, then change horse the following year or not. 

Cambridge is the right club to do this. They can market this hard. They are good at that. Sounds like the D Branch there has done an amazing job with researching slot races too. 

PS only 10 runners too I think, which is Good I think, not to many runners to hold the faster ones up lol. 

Edited December 21, 2021 by karrotsishere

[karrotsishere]

29 minutes ago, Double R said:

I am sure it will rely on Australian open class horses to make the race interesting. I feel we don't have the depth in our horses alone, to do the race justice.

Guerin said he called McCarthy & McCarthy said he would be delighted to bring a runner over for it if an opportunity presents. 

TAB have opened up a futures market for it already - THE RACE - Copy That fav, they have Expensive Ego down as a potential Aussie runner.

 

[Happy Sunrise]

3 hours ago, karrotsishere said:

TAB have opened up a futures market for it already - THE RACE - Copy That fav, they have Expensive Ego down as a potential Aussie runner.

Guerin the product marketer was all for it on the box seat but the punter inside him was crying 'who the hell would bet into the market'

Since it is a PBD, I wonder if the 'marker pegs' theory will be put on the back burner for this race.

[karrotsishere]

The only thing prob would of changed is drop winner stake down $10k from $400k to $390k. And put up 4th place from $65k to 75k. That way 4th which isn't a bad effort, costs start is covered oppose losing 10k. 

Be great if they introduced a 24 or 48 hour retention barn for The Race.

[Double R]

32 minutes ago, karrotsishere said:

The only thing prob would of changed is drop winner stake down $10k from $400k to $390k. And put up 4th place from $65k to 75k. That way 4th which isn't a bad effort, costs start is covered oppose losing 10k. 

Be great if they introduced a 24 or 48 hour retention barn for The Race.

Regardless whether the 4th Stake is $65k or 75k, the owner/s are going to drop $10k, having to payout the trainer, and driving percentages.

[karrotsishere]

21 minutes ago, Double R said:

Regardless whether the 4th Stake is $65k or 75k, the owner/s are going to drop $10k, having to payout the trainer, and driving percentages.

True good point. So is that the same as 5th to 10th too? 

Guerin said something along lines of connections & slot sponsors could negotiate amongst themselves re how much each party takes prize eg for the win. Eg 50/50 or 60/40. Suppose something could be negotiate prior for 4th too? Or no as slot sponsor already put up $75k hey. Dunno how would you see that work? Ownes as you say. 

[Double R]

11 minutes ago, karrotsishere said:

True good point. So is that the same as 5th to 10th too? 

Guerin said something along lines of connections & slot sponsors could negotiate amongst themselves re how much each party takes prize eg for the win. Eg 50/50 or 60/40. Suppose something could be negotiate prior for 4th too? Or no as slot sponsor already put up $75k hey. Dunno how would you see that work? Ownes as you say. 

Perhaps the team here on Race Place could empty their "piggy banks", and we could buy a slot????

I am not sure what the negotiation procedure is, but it will be interesting. Karrots, you could do it on our behalf?

The $900,000 stake will be divided up $400,000 to the winner, $125,000 for second, $85,000 third, $65,000 for fourth and the remaining six starters each getting $37,500.

The race will be a 2200m mobile with preferential draws for three-year-olds then mares before older male pacers are drawn to make the race potentially attractive to horses like Bettor Twist and even Akuta.

The initial idea of a $500,000 slot race with 10 slots of $50,000 was really more of a sweepstake race, with HRNZ reluctant to put any extra industry funds into it as they target other areas they believe need that money more.

So the extra $150,000 for the Waikato-BOP club is the creme on top with the promise of more for slot holders who buy in for three years.