Southland trials filming in doubt

Filming of harness trials in the deep south is back on, for now at least.

It only became an issue on Wednesday last week when no one fronted at Gore to cover the five race programme. Indignation was universal, from punters and the many students of harness racing, to overseas buyers and local bloodstock agents.

As a result, local organisers have received a commitment that in the immediate future, trials in the south will be covered. That commitment runs out on the second of November and after that there is no certainty.

When race filming began in the Southland province more than fifty years ago, the trotting and galloping clubs pooled their resources to buy the necessary equipment and a caravan to carry it from track to track. Those who were around when the race filming company was sold to the TAB recall that among the conditions of the sale was an undertaking to continue covering both harness and galloping trials at no cost to the organisers.

Because there were always Trackside personnel based in Southland, this was never a problem. However, the last remaining staff, Dave Lilley and Pauline Hillis, were made redundant earlier this year.

Local officials said they had no communication from Trackside and were taken completely by surprise by the apparent change of policy. They have since been informed that a national review of trials coverage is underway and the commitment until 2 November is just to fill the gap until it is completed.

As trials are such an important part of the harness racing shop window, both locals and those from further afield are hoping the result is a return to business as usual. But in case its not in and the TAB pulls the pin, preliminary steps have already been taken to suss out local sources who could step in.

Mac Henry