Regional racing causes havoc with plans

A number of runners are competing at Bathurst on Wednesday that were meant to be competing at Tabcorp Park Menangle on Saturday night but can’t due to the regionalisation.

The Wayne White-trained Jerulas Grin has been trialling well in preparation for the August Gift heats that lead into a $30,000 final, but now can’t compete in the event.

“That was the plan … It’s an interference with Jerulas Grin for sure, but it’s interfering with my hobby which I struggle to complain about too much … I’m just trying to keep it in perspective,” White said.

Regionalisation came into effect last year with HRNSW dividing the industry into four regions; Metropolitan, Hunter, Western and Riverina.

Menangle is located in the Metropolitan region and hosts races with much higher prizemoney than the other regions.

The biggest concern among participants outside of the Metropolitan area is not being able to compete in these events.

“If I was Steven [Turnbull] and Amanda [Turnbull] and trying to make my living out of the horses, major drama the fact that they can’t go to Menangle, that is their living you know,” White said.

“I really feel for them, but I struggle to complain about it from my point of view because it’s only my hobby.”

Bathurst Harness Racing Club’s CEO Danny Dwyer said he would like to see all regions able to program $12,000 races for the higher-classed horses, especially leading up to the Inter Dominion.

This would provide owners with more prizemoney and decrease the number of horses getting sent to the paddock.

HRNSW chief executive John Dumesny said they are working on a plan to implement regular races for the higher-classed horses within their regions.

“It is essential that the higher [rated] horses are provided opportunities in respect to conditioning for the Inter Dominion,” Mr Dumesny said.

“Danny [Dwyer] has also offered that he will submit a strategy from the Bathurst Club with respect to prizemoney for these higher rated horses as they no longer are able to compete at Menangle under the care of their current trainers.”

Jerulas Grin along with Lester Hewitt’s Hes Chiming and Amanda Turnbull’s Balducci were all meant to contest the August Gift heats but will now go around in race five at Bathurst on Wednesday night.

White is confident his horse will perform well but expects he’ll need the run.

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