For the first time, the winner of this year’s Holmes DG will automatically qualify for the IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup of November at Addington Raceway.
The $ 40,000 Harness Racing event, in Alexandra Park on 3 October, will also be upgraded from job status to a group 3.
“The idea was suggested for the first time last season and the Cup Rankings Committee wanted to offer horses in the northern region an opportunity for the winner to automatically access the IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup race,” says Addington Raceway’s Racemanager John Denton.
First run in 2014, the Holmes DG was won by some quality horses, including Merlin (Art major) Last year and double new -Zeeland Trotting Cup -winner, copy that (Amercican ideal) in 2020.
The change was welcomed by the Auckland Trotting Club.
“I am sure that Northern trainers will be very happy with this and they will give more options that lead to NZ Cup with their preparations,” says ATC Racing Director Karen Blanchard.
The Holmes DG is now one of the four races where the winner automatically gets access for the cup if nominated. The other races are the Maurice Holmes Vase (August 22), the new Brighton Cup (5 September) and the Canterbury Classic (17 October), all of which are held on Addington Raceway.
Three horses have already automatically qualified for the $ 1 million race on Tuesday 11 November, if nominated. They defend (twice) champion Swayzee, 2024 Auckland Cup winner Republican Party and Inter-Dominion champion jump to Roem. The Superstar Australian Pacer is currently a favorite of $ 1.60 on the Futures market tab prior to Swayzee ($ 4).
Van Harness Racing New Zealand
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