Harness Racing Victoria (HRV) and leading livestock sales specialist Nutrien will partner to host a new $1.25 million race meeting next April.
Nutrien championships night will be at Melton on Saturday 13 April 2024 for Nutrien sales graduates, with two-year-old and three-year-old pacing and trotting features for both sexes. It will form part of a three-day event, with sales at Oaklands Junction on days either side of the race meeting.
HRV CEO Matthew Isaacs said the addition of the Nutrien championships meeting to the calendar reinforced Victoria as the premier destination for harness racing breeders, owners and fans.
“We are excited to partner with Nutrien to offer such substantial prizemoney for this new night meeting at Melton,” Isaacs said.
“This will bolster the Nutrien yearling sales days, creating an event that will drive harness racing enthusiasts to Victoria, just like the thoroughbreds’ Magic Millions lures people to Queensland.
“We would like to thank Nutrien for helping deliver an exciting April weekend for our hard-working participants and harness fans.”
Nutrien Equine’s Mark Barton said they were thrilled to be working closely with Harness Racing Victoria to launch this new event in April 2024.
“This new weekend of sales and racing will offer fantastic prize money for the modern-day stars as well as giving everyone an opportunity to buy their next champions,” Barton said.
“Nutrien has proudly supported harness racing in Victoria since our inaugural sale in 2021 and we look forward to working with HRV in delivering this significant initiative and continuing to support the industry.”
Harness Breeders Victoria president Nick Hooper said his members welcomed the three-day event, which would be a significant drawcard.
“HBV is excited to see Nutrien invest further into harness racing and specifically breeding with a wonderfully forward-thinking approach, which offers huge opportunities to breeders and owners alike,” Hooper said.
“Furthermore, our members look forward to being part of this event as they continue to breed the very best quality horses, who are capable of competing on the world stage.”
Details around the specific races on the card and corresponding prizemoney will be announced in the coming months.
The announcement follows recent racing schedule changes that include the much-loved Vicbred Super Series’ move from late December to September. Acting on advice from participants and analysis of wagering and racing data, the Vicbred Super Series calendar change provides trainers greater opportunity to attack the rich spring Group 1s. HRV will also soon launch a New Year’s Eve race feature that will promote the industry’s rising stars.
WATCH: MATT ISAACS ON SKY RACING WITH BRITTANY GRAHAM
Important 2024 dates
Friday 12 April: Evening sale at Oaklands Junction
Saturday 13 April: Nutrien Championship night at Melton
Sunday 14 April: Day sale at Oaklands Junction