HARNESS RACING VICTORIA, 400 Epsom Rd, Flemington, 03 8378 0200, askhrv@hrv.org.au
 
 
HRV ROADSHOWS INSPIRE IMPETUS FOR CHANGE AND RENEWAL
 
Two and three-year-old national ratings concessions, grassroots and feature racing revamps, and further forums are among planned changes out of Harness Racing Victoria’s roadshows.
Almost 300 participants and supporters attended forums at Mildura, Melton, Ballarat, and Shepparton, and more than 1500 watched the live stream when HRV Chair Bernard Saundry and CEO Matt Isaacs led an industry conversation.
“We wanted to make sure the industry had a clear understanding of where we’re at and where we’re going, and we wanted to hear from them about the challenges they face and opportunities they see,” Saundry said.
“We were thrilled with their initiatives and passion. These discussions will drive direct and immediate change in our industry.”
Following the roadshows, Harness Racing Victoria will:
  • Introduce national ratings’ concessions for two and three-year-olds from July 1
  • Re-purpose prizemoney allocations to avoid all-$4000 meetings from July 1
  • Finalise the calendar to run 390 race meetings in FY26, with $35 million in participant returns
  • Continue to consult with industry about opportunities to return to Moonee Valley
  • Co-host national rating forums this winter to help shape changes from January 1
  • Return the Mildura Pacing Cup to a Saturday night in 2026
Isaacs said HRV would also innovate the racing calendar to maximise participant returns and drive growth.
“We are eager to revamp the summer carnival, with rich country cups at Kilmore, Cranbourne, and Ballarat to feed into the A G Hunter Cup and Great Southern Star,” Isaacs said.
“We also want to reaffirm our commitment to juvenile racing and put money back into owners’ pockets early in their horse’s careers, including Group 1 level stakes in a revamped Breeders Crown and, in conjunction with Harness Racing Australia, bring the Australian Derby and Oaks to Victoria.”
Isaacs said HRV would work with the industry to finalise the racing formats and best dates, likely late in 2026, with an announcement expected by July 1 this year.
“Through the likes of Sunday’s Nutrien Equine sales, passionate owners stand ready to invest in harness racing in Victoria, and we want to give them every reason to get involved,” Isaacs said.
“That includes working with the State Government to draw on the Victorian Racing Industry Fund for a significant, seven-figure investment that supports ownership and breeding. I look forward to sharing further details soon.”
 
 
FROM THETROTS.COM.AU: GET READY FOR SUNDAY'S NUTRIEN SALES
 
NUTRIEN EQUINE'S MELBOURNE SALE A STAR-STUDDED CATALOGUE
 
Buyers will be spoilt for choice at Sunday’s Nutrien Equine Melbourne Yearling Sale at the renowned Inglis Complex, Oaklands Junction with a quality lineup of prospective racetrack stars catalogued.
The star-studded catalogue of 170 pacing and trotting yearlings includes progeny of 48 individual stallions, with huge interest to surround youngsters by six first season sires.
The most in-form sires from across the country are represented by progeny including Bettor’s Delight, Art Major, Captaintreacherous, Always B Miki, Sweet Lou, Somebeachsomewhere, American Ideal, Downbytheseaside, Rock N Roll Heaven, Bettor’s Wish, Tall Dark Stranger, Poster Boy, Stay Hungry, McWicked, Majestic Son, Bold Eagle, Tactical Landing and Muscle Mass and the first crop sires Century Farroh, Dancinginthedark M, Bird Parker, Face Time Bourbon, On A Streak and Zenith Stride.
 
BROTHER TO ARCEE PHOENIX TO HEADLINE NUTRIEN YEARLING SALE 
 
A full brother to last week’s $NZ600,000 TAB Trot slot race winner Arcee Phoenix will be one of the most sought-after horses at the annual Nutrien Equine Melbourne Yearling Sale on Sunday.
Lot 235 in the catalogue, the Trixton colt is the seventh and last foal of his dam Justa Phoenix, who has so far left five to race for five winners.
The Oaklands Junction-based auction will present world class bloodlines to suit all buyers and budgets.
A total of 170 pacing and trotting yearlings will go under the hammer, representing the cream of the crop of many of the heavy hitters in standardbred breeding from Victoria and across the country.
 
 
FROM THETROTS.COM.AU: GET READY FOR TONIGHT'S NUTRIEN FINALS
 
BARGAIN BUY DELIZIOSO DEFYING THE ODDS IN NUTRIEN FINAL
A few drinks and a bright idea at last year’s Nutrien Equine Melbourne Yearling Sale kickstarted an exciting ride for a group of women who will chase glory in a $200,000 feature race this evening with bargain buy Delizioso.
The Ride High filly out of Bettors Delight mare Miss Delightful caught the eye of prominent owners Mick Boots and Erica Tongs, along with their friends and trainers, father-daughter duo Craig and Abbey Turnbull, and was ultimately snapped up for the ultra-low price of $5000.
“We were standing there having a few drinks, it was toward the end of the sale and we were all feeling a little merry,” recalls Abbey. “Mick and Erica decided we should have a girls’ horse, one to have some fun with.”
 
THE LOCALS VERSUS THE RAIDERS: TIM O'CONNOR'S BEST PLAYS TONIGHT'S
RACE 2, 6.33pm: NUTRIEN CLASSIC THREE-YEAR-OLD FILLIES PACING FINAL, 2240m. $125k.
THE LOCALS: Emma Stewart won both heats of the series last Friday, with Ivseenheavenslight scoring in a slower mile rate but with a quicker last half than the unbeaten Beach Diamond, who worked hard to find the front and won impressively by a big margin. Hard to split the two runs, but Ivseenheavenslight did win the Vicbred Super Series final last season and looks to have drawn for a better trip in nine over Beach Diamond in 12. Stablemate Ill Be Gone draws to use her good gate speed in barrier three and was brave behind Ivseenheavenslight last time. She looks the next best winning chance.
THE RAIDERS: Peace Out appears the clear top pick of the four New South Wales fillies after her dominant heat win at Menangle and runner-up effort in the Gold Bracelet Final at Bathurst late last month, while Queenslander Ruby Rules was the first filly home in the mixed sex qualifier at Albion Park. She has a good barrier draw, but would need to improve on current form to threaten here.
SUGGESTED BET: Ivseenheavenslight win
 
COLONIAL STALLIONS REVOLUTION SPEEDING UP IN NUTRIEN SERIES
If you loved Poster Boy on the racetrack, there’s another chapter brewing.
The former star Victorian pacer is leading an exciting revolution for “colonial” stallions. Not only was the son of Somebeachsomewhere (out of Artsplace mare Aston Villa) a star on the track, but he is regally bred.
“If he’d raced in the US and retired over there with his record, he’d have been the next big thing,” leading owner/breeder Peter Gleeson said.
Poster Boy raced just 30 times for 22 wins and seven placings. Along with his five Group 1 wins, including the Victoria Derby and Chariots Of Fire, Poster Boy also finished third in the 2019 Miracle Mile at four.
Breeding is a cut-throat game, especially for local stars trying to make a name at stud, so having a strong and immediate impact was always going to be crucial. Poster Boy has done that in spades. Last year, he boasted 23 individual winners from his first crop, more than double any first season Australian-bred sire before that.
 
CRANBOURNE CLUB 21 HOPES RIDING ON HARLEY LANE
Members of the passionate Cranbourne Club 21 syndicate will be in full voice when Harley Lane tackles tonight’s Nutrien Equine Classic final for three-year-old fillies.
The lightly-raced daughter of Lather Up produced an eye-catching finale to run third in her heat last Friday, which followed an impressive maiden win at her home track on March 23.
Cranbourne Club 21 has 60 members, with individuals charged a small monthly fee to race a team of horses within the syndicate. Horses are leased and sent to trainers based out of the Cranbourne training centre, with Harley Lane prepared by top horsewoman Jayne Davies.
 
 

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