Seddon Shields trotting championship gets go ahead

After its success last year, the Seddon Shields Trotting Championship Series has been approved for the 2024-25 season.

Targetting R51-70 trotters, the harness racing series will be held around the top half of the South Island between November this year and March 2025.

There are two major changes from last year – Kaikoura will be included in the circuit and for the first time there will be a grand final. This will be held at Addington and be worth $30,000. Leading up to the final there will be a total of 10 “heats”, each worth between $17,500 and $20,000.

“We were really encouraged by the series last year,” says Seddon Shields Chair Ben Smith, who is the Kaikoura Trotting Club President.

“We had a great response in terms of the quality and quantity of horses.”

“The demand is clearly there so we will trying to build on it even more this coming season and having Kaikoura involved is a great addition, and not just because I’m so close to it.”

The complete schedule is :

November 2 – Kaikoura
December 26 and 28 – Westport
December 30 – Reefton
January 10 and 12 – Nelson
January 17 and 19 – Marlborough
March 7 – Westport
March 9 – Reefton

The final : March 21 – Addington

All horses that win a designated series race automatically qualify for the final.

Last year’s inaugural series was won by Boyz Invasion. As top points-scorer he earned a $10,000 bonus for his connections.

For further information contact Ben Smith, bjlasmith@xtra.co.nz or Erin Fox, erinkfox24@gmail.com

From Harness Racing New Zealand