Another shift for MIA Breeders Plate?

The MIA Breeders Plate could be on the move again following low interest in this year’s feature race. Major Roll was an impressive winner of the $40,000 harness racing feature in Leeton on Friday night, the first since a permanent move away from January 1.

Only 12 horses took part in the heats earlier this month and that was after nominations were extended. The low numbers have raised concerns.

Harness Racing NSW chief executive John Dumesny said the future plans of the race would be discussed with the club.

“The Breeders Plate produced another worthy winner and we will sit down with the club and review how the heats and finals carnival went,” Dumesny said.

“We will come out with a result in due course.”

The MIA Breeders Plate traditionally ran heats on Boxing Day before a New Year’s Day final.

Leeton still raced on these dates plus the two new dates for the Breeders Plate series on January 12 and 26.

Club secretary Joanne Punch said the crowd was up for the December 26 meeting on last year’s figures but January 1 was down. The crowd was also low for the heat night but she was pleased with how the Friday night was received. “We were sorta happy with how it finished up,” Punch said. “It was a decent meeting.

“The final, even though it dropped off a bit with the scratchings, to run a record time was great.” Eight two-year-olds competed in the final. The change in the two-year-old racing season forced Leeton to move away from their traditional times this season.

Punch said the club was not looking to change dates. However she admitted the lack was nominations was disappointing. “That was disappointing but you just have to go ahead and do what you could with it,” she said.

“We have those dates for next year, they have already been allocated so there won’t be a change.”

Days after the winning the race, Stephen Maguire, who part owns, trains and drove Major Roll to victory is unsure what is the best time for the prestigious race.

“It is going to be a hard decision,” Maguire said.

“When you have 12 horses in the heats that is not ideal.”

He thought running just a straight final could be an option.

Dumesny expects a time frame within the next three to four months to allow people to plan for next year.

Meanwhile Maguire is looking to target the Sapling Stakes next month with Major Roll.

The $30,000 race will be run at Menangle as part of Miracle Mile night on February 24.

By Courtney Rees

Reprinted with permission of The Daily Advertiser