New race dates for the Cranbourne, Gunbower and Maryborough cups and regular race nights for certain clubs are among the features of Harness Racing Victoria's 2019-20 racing calender, which was released today.

HRV General Manager – Racing Stephen Bell said the calender was circulated with clubs last week and thanked them for their “proactive approach, willingness to change and their understanding when some wishes were just not feasible to deliver”.

“During the process we received approximately 100 requests from the clubs with 85 per cent of those granted,” Mr Bell said.

Key changes to the racing calendar for 2019-20 include:

  • Cranbourne – 14 Sunday race meetings to encourage participants to travel without the obstruction of midweek traffic issues (up from seven Sunday race meetings in 2018-19).
  • Geelong – 12 Wednesday night race meetings as the club’s preferred racing night (up from nine Wednesday night race meetings in 2018-19).
  • Kilmore – 15 Thursday night race meetings as the club’s preferred racing night (up from eight Thursday night race meetings in 2018-19).
  • Mildura – 13 Friday day race meetings to provide additional racing product during the late afternoon to early evening period on selected Fridays from mid-April to August.
  • Maryborough Gold Cup returns to a Sunday race meeting on October 20, 2019.
  • Cranbourne Gold Cup returns to a Christmas function race meeting on Saturday December 7, 2019.
  • Gunbower Pacing Cup moves to a Christmas function race meeting on Sunday December 8, 2019.

“We believe we have constructed a fair and balanced calendar that will maximise wagering opportunities for the 2019-20 racing season. The introduction of the new handicapping system in the near future should assist in ensuring full fields and exciting racing throughout the season. There is a lot to look forward to,” Mr Bell said.

“I would also like to thank Gary Bennetts for the amount of time and effort he puts into preparing the calendar. There are many variables that he must take into account, not just within our own industry but external factors out of his control such as other racing codes and Sky Racing requirements. Gary’s attention to detail and determination for perfection is to be applauded.”

Click here to view the 2019-20 Race Dates Calendar

 

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