$100,000 TABCORP REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

31 March 2020

Due to the regionalisation of the State forced by the COVID-19 pandemic and Government regulations the Taborp Million Dollar Pace has been remodelled by HRNSW to keep faith with industry stakeholders.

The four major harness tracks in NSW will now each host a replacement Series, the Tabcorp Regional Championships in each region of the State, Metropolitan, Western Districts, Riverina and Hunter.

Tabcorp Park Menangle, Newcastle International Paceway, Riverina Paceway Wagga and Gold Crown Paceway Bathurst will host an individual Series which will culminate in four Group One $100,000 Championship Finals.

Each of the four regions will host two rounds of Heats with a maximum of five Heats per round. Prizemoney for the Heats will be $9,500.

Each Region will also run a $14,500 Consolation alongside of the Group 1 Finals.

Harness Racing NSW chief executive John Dumesny explained it was the controlling body’s main priority to give every region’s trainers the chance to place their horses having set them specifically for the former, now abandoned, Series.

“Firstly I must thank Tabcorp executives for providing harness racing the opportunity to convert the Series which now provides for all eligible horses in NSW to contest.

“All sectors who rely on wagering for sustainability are hurting in these unprecedented times but our major wagering partner (Tabcorp) are solid behind the harness racing industry.

“Whilst we have lost other races from the calendar because of the required regionalisation within NSW and the closing of State borders which limited opportunities for all horses these Regional Championships will deliver to our participants – owners, trainers and drivers.

“From last February all eligible horses must have been located and trained in a specific region, so this aspects remains in place.

“The Championships dates have been held to the schedule previously set for the Million Dollar Pace so the training of horses specifically set for that race Series is not affected.”

The Metropolitan Region heats will commence at Menangle on May 5; Western Districts heats at Bathurst commence on May 6; Riverina heats commence May 8 and the Hunter Region heats commence at Newcastle on May 9.

Click here for details of the amended Conditions.