HRNZ bombshell: Feature races to become handicaps

Barry Lichter writes for Lincoln Farms that a directive from Harness Racing New Zealand that the country’s top five standing start features will in future be handicap races has ignited a storm in the industry.

The HRNZ board has unanimously voted that the New Zealand Trotting Cup, Auckland Trotting Cup, Dominion Trot, Rowe Cup and Invercargill Cup will no longer be free-for-alls.

In a letter to club officials, general manager of racing, marketing and communications Catherine McDonald says HRNZ believes that by applying handicaps to these top Group races the industry will get better, more competitive fields which will result in higher wagering.

“In the past these races were changed to free-for-all conditions so that the best horse would win. This may still see the best horse winning but they would not necessarily be a $1.15 favourite when they do,” McDonald says in the notice.

“As you are aware, HRNZ now gets paid on what it earns through the TAB through actual gross betting revenue being paid. It is up to HRNZ to try and grow the wagering product and to look at races to see how we can improve on them.”

The ruling has not gone down well with Addington officials, with little more than three months until November’s New Zealand Trotting Cup, and it is believed they will be fighting strongly against the directive at a meeting with HRNZ heads tomorrow.

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by Barry Lichter, reprinted with permission from Lincoln Farms