Major payday awaits 2YO Trotters in upgraded Easton Classic

Two of the North Island’s most powerful harness racing stables are already eyeing up a healthy payday with their two-year-old trotters at Alexandra Park on May 8,2026.

It will see the running of the Young Guns Easton Classic. For the first time it will go from a Group 3 to a Group 1, with the stake doubling to $100,000.

It’s one of five $100,000 Group 1s for the two-year-olds in the first half of next year, but the only one for the square-gaiters.

“Any increase in stakes and making it to Group 1 status makes things for appealing especially what we all are have to now pay for trotters at the sales,” says Scott Phelan, “it’s great that the stakes can start to justify the price we are having to pay and give us a chance to win the money back.”

“We have three baby trotters that hopefully we can get to the early trot races.”

Michelle Wallis, who trains in partnership with husband Bernie Hackett, agrees. 

“I personally think any stake worth $100,000 is great for everybody especially 2YO trotters,” she says.

“We are hoping to have a couple ready for it but it’s still early days. Most likely are Aldebaran Corona and an unnamed On A Streak gelding.”

There will also be a $30,000 Young Guns 2YO Trot Prelude at Alexandra Park on April 24, a fortnight before the Easton Classic.

The 2YO season will kick off in January with the opening heats of the Young Guns series at Alexandra Park and the first race for the 2YO pacers at Addington.

To see the 2YO schedule for January – May 2026 click here

From Harness Racing New Zealand