Top mares set for new spring harness series

New Zealand’s best pacing mare is set to add her stamp of class to a new series of races being widely welcomed by trainers.

HRNZ has announced the new Mare’s Spring Schedule to provide consistent racing for mares without having to take on the boys.

The Canterbury-based series of six races starts at Addington on August 29 and runs through until Show Day at Addington on November 14, where it ends with the Bob McArdle Classic.

It contains a $17,000 kick off race, one race of $25,000, another of $30,000 and then three valued at $60,000, two at Group 2 level.

Already co-trainer Scott Phelan says multiple Group 1 winner Duchess Megxit has the new series of races on her radar.

“That is what we are setting her for,” Phelan, who trains with Barry Purdon, told HRNZ.

“She isn’t eligible for the last race on Show Day because she is a Group 1 winner but she will contest two or three of the other races and I think it is a great idea.

“She is probably the best mare in the country and she showed how hard it is to compete against those open class boys so this is the type of series of races we need to keep these mares racing in New Zealand.

“We are all for it and she will definitely be heading down.”

Phelan’s comments were echoed by John Dunn last week while Zachary Butcher is also planning to be part of the series with Mantra Blue so it looks set to provide an intriguing spring side plot to the open class horses building into the New Zealand Cup.

HRNZ’s Matt Peden says the series is designed “to provide a clear and decisive pathway for mares throughout the spring.”

The six races are:
August 29, Addington: $17,000 R80.
Sept 12, Addington: $25,000 Woodlands First Mares Spring Sprint, $25,000, R80, with conditions for higher assessed mares.
Sept 26, Addington: $30,000 Woodlands Second Mares Spring Sprint, $30,000, open.
Oct 10, Addington: Woodlands Mares Spring Sprint (G2), $60,000, open.
Oct 27, Ashburton: Ladies Sprint (G2), $60,000, open.
Nov 14, Addington: Bob McAcArdle Southern Mares Classic (Listed), $60,000, restricted

by Michael Guerin, for Harness Racing New Zealand