With six Group races, a host of country racing and a range of bonuses and other incentives, the Southern Region is gearing up for a bumper summer.
In December and January there will be nine meetings at southern venues, including at holiday hotspots like Omakau, Roxburgh and Cromwell.
There will also be what is being billed the “Southern Summer Triple”. The Invercargill HRC, Central Otago TC and Northern Southland TC will host six Group races, starting with Invercargill Cup day at Ascot Park on December 20. The total stakes for all races at all three race meetings is in excess of $300,000.
The Group 1 Ascot Park Hotel Invercargill Cup is shaping up as the strongest yet and will be worth $100,000, with the feature trot on the day being the Group 3 $50,000 Brendan Franks Farrier David Moss Stakes. The Club will give every trainer who has a horse in the Cup a $300 Ascot Park Hotel voucher.
HRNZ has committed a $10,000 Bonus to the owners if a mare wins the Cup. Also a $10,000 (HRNZ) Bonus will be given if a 4YO who raced in the $200k The Christian Cullen on December 6 runs in the first three placings in the Cup. This is limited to the first one past the post in the first three placings.
Leg two will be the ever popular Central Otago Trotting Club meeting at Omakau on Thursday, January 2. It will feature two Group 3s for the trotters and placers, both worth $40,000 and sponsored by the Gallagher Family and Ranfurly Transport respectively. It’s the first time the feature trot has been accorded Group status.
The 60th anniversary meeting for the Central Otago TC will celebrate the Gallagher family’s contribution to the club going back to the inaugural meeting in 1965. Paul, a much loved local character, and successful trainer/driver, died earlier this year, aged 87.
Action will then return to Ascot Park for the third and final leg, with the Northern Southland Trotting Club hosting the Macca Lodge Northern Southland Pacing Cup and the Prydes Easifeed Southern Lights Trot. Both will be at Group 3 level and worth $40,000.
The full list of southern meetings over the holiday period is :
December 20 Invercargill HRC @ Ascot Park
December 27 Gore HRC @ Gore
January 2 Central Otago TC @ Omakau
January 4 Roxburgh TC @ Roxburgh
January 6 Wyndham HRC @ Cromwell (grass)
January 16 Northern Southland TC @ Ascot Park
January 22 Forbury Park TC @ Oamaru
January 26 Riverton TC @ Riverton (grass)
January 30 Invercargill HRC @ Ascot Park
To encourage especially Canterbury trainers to head south with their horses a number of incentives have now been finalised.
FREE SITES AT OMAKAU
Horses and owners/trainers with self-contained caravans can stay free at Omakau during the circuit provided their horse/s race at Omakau. This includes paddocks and all tracks on site.
Paddocks, camping and track usage are also available at Roxburgh and Cromwell.
$1000 IN BONUSES FOR ‘NORTH OF THE WAITAKI’ TRAINERS
A total of $300 will be paid to the trainer based ‘north of the Waitaki River’ who starts the most horses at Omakau 2/1/25. With $200 to the trainer who travels the furthest and five $100 prizes drawn randomly to any of five other trainers who start at the meeting. One $100 prize from this group will be drawn specifically to a trainer who gives a junior driver a drive on the day. The $1000 package has been generously sponsored by Joan and Paul Davies and RD Petroleum.
Omakau, Roxburgh and Cromwell will all have a Junior Driver penalty free race programmed.
Southern Harness is happy to assist with any stabling requirements or any other queries related to the race days.
For more information contact
jason@southernharnes.co.nz – 021 127 2912
julie@southernharness.co.nz – 0274 390 660
For more information specifically regarding Omakau contact Graham Sinnamon – 027 681 7594.
