Additional mares-only races, 2YOs early start, juvenile series, and more

HRV will continue its big program of mares-restricted races through February, March, and beyond, after the success of the concept thus far in 2026.
In collaboration with Harness Breeders Victoria, the racing department trialled additional mares’ races in high horse population areas in January, reinforcing Victoria’s commitment to mares in their racing and breeding careers.
The 10 pacing races drew an above-average 11.2 nominations and 9.2 acceptances per race, while the six trotting races averaged 10.33 nominations and 8.33 acceptances.
In February and March, seven of the races will carry $5000 Vicbred Voucher bonuses for winning owners, all part of Victoria’s $2.75 million ownership and breeding scheme that was launched in September. Winners can redeem their vouchers on stallion services or at select sales. Click here for more details.

The upcoming mares’ races, venues, and grades are listed below:
Pacers
Feb 4 @ Mildura: Up to 50*
Feb 5 @ Ballarat: Maiden*; Up to 55
Feb 11 @ Maryborough: Up to 50
Feb 17 @ Shepparton: Up to 45*
Feb 20 @ Bendigo: Up to 55
Feb 24 @ Shepparton: Up to 50
Feb 25 @ Mildura: Up to 50
Mar 3 @ Shepparton: Up to 50
Mar 5 @ Ballarat: Up to 45
Mar 6 @ Mildura: Up to 50*
Mar 6 @ Melton: Maiden
Mar 11 @ Bendigo: Up to 55
Mar 18 @ Bendigo: Up to 57
Mar 19 @ Ballarat: Maiden
Mar 26 @ Kilmore: Up to 50
Mar 30 @ Maryborough: Up to 42
Mar 31 @ Swan Hill: Up to 50*

Trotters
Feb 11 @ Maryborough: Up to 50
Feb 12 @ Kilmore: Maiden*
Feb 19 @ Ballarat: Up to 50*
Feb 25 @ Maryborough: Up to 50
Feb 26 @ Kilmore: Maiden
Mar 12 @ Kilmore: Up to 50
Mar 16 @ Maryborough: Maiden
Mar 20 @ Melton: Up to 55
Mar 25 @ Bendigo: Maiden
* Includes $5000 Vicbred Voucher

VICTORIAN 2YO RACES TO BEGIN IN FEBRUARY
Harness Racing Victoria has introduced restricted two-year-old races from February to create more opportunities for young horses.
When applying the same method last year, HRV’s Racing Department found that more two-year-old races received sufficient nominations when opportunities were condensed in the year’s early months.
HRV will once again program two-year-old races at central Victorian venues, where the category’s population is at its greatest, with pacing races to begin in February and trotting races in March.
Two-year-old races will be scheduled as follows:
Feb 4 @ Maryborough (pacers)
Feb 11 @ Maryborough (pacers)
Feb 25 @ Maryborough (pacers)
Mar 6 @ Melton (pacers and trotters)
Mar 16 @ Maryborough (pacers and trotters)
Mar 30 @ Maryborough (pacers and trotters)

HRV INTRODUCES KINDERGARTEN AND GRADUATION AUTUMN SERIES
Harness Racing Victoria will introduce two autumn race series for two and three-year-olds.
To provide eligible Victorian horses a prelude into May’s Nutrien Equine Classic Race Series and encourage juvenile racing early in the season, HRV’s racing office will run heats into finals at Maryborough, Bendigo, and Melton.
The graduation series, for horses who have won no more than $10,000 in their lifetimes, will run for three-year-olds of both gaits, beginning with the pacers on March 16.
Three-year-old trotters, along with a kindergarten series for two-year-old pacers and trotters, will start on April 10 and run until April 29. All heats will be for $8000, with $14,000 finals.
See below for the details of each series:

HRV TO INTRODUCE CLAIMING RACES IN FEBRUARY
Harness Racing Victoria will trial pacing claiming races from February to April to provide participants with alternative racing opportunities.
HRV’s racing team will review stakeholder feedback and monitor nominations and acceptances to determine whether claiming races should be added to programs beyond that date.
Venues such as Maryborough, Kilmore and Mildura have been identified in the February programs, prioritising those with the highest horse populations.
The racing team will also review the concept and consider whether it should also be applied to trotters in the coming months.
Claiming races scheduled in February:
Feb 4 @ Maryborough ($8000 claimer, 2100m, PBD/Claiming Price) $6000
Feb 12 @ Kilmore ($10,000 claimer, 1690m, PBD NR) $8000
Feb 18 @ Mildura ($6000 claimer, 2190m, PBD/NR) $4000
Feb 25 @ Maryborough ($6000 claimer, 1690m, PBD/Claiming Price) $4000

MELTON’S SHAKAMAKER DRIVE CLOSED FROM JANUARY 19
Shakamaker Drive, Melton, has closed until further notice owing to its deteriorating condition and the surrounding works.
The roadway has provided participants with access to Melton Entertainment Park’s stalls, but in the interests of participant safety and to assist the neighbouring construction, participants are instead advised to access the stalls via the main entrance.
Speed humps will be removed from the main entrance for a smoother entry for participants and their horses.