HARNESS RACING VICTORIA, 400 Epsom Rd, Flemington, 03 8378 0200, askhrv@hrv.org.au
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THIS SUMMER IS SET TO SIMMER WITH TROTS SUPER SIX
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Harness Racing Victoria’s summer carnival will shine ever bright in 2026 after it stacked six huge cups across six Saturday nights.
The path to Victoria’s famed A G Hunter Cup and Great Southern Star, set for Melton on February 14, will be paved in gold, with
Cranbourne and Kilmore hosting $150,000 Group 1 cups after the traditional Bendigo, Shepparton, and Ballarat feature nights.
“The summer is always a magical time for harness racing in Victoria, and this revamped carnival is sure to take things to a new level in 2026,” Harness Racing Victoria’s Chief Executive Officer Matt Isaacs said.
Cranbourne and Kilmore elevated their pacing ($150,000) and trotters ($75,000) cups and Ballarat upped its trotters cup ($75,000), prizemoney increases that have created a showcase of Group 1s in the build-up to the A G Hunter Cup and Great Southern Star.
“HRV has worked closely with these clubs to create a sensational summer and the clubs are congratulated for boosting prizemoney and helping create a wonderful six weeks of harness racing.”
A SUMMER OF SUPER SATURDAYS:
- Jan 10 - Bendigo: 75,000 G2 Pacing Cup, $75,000 G1 Maori Mile
- Jan 17 - Shepparton: $50,000 G3 Pacing Cup, $30,000 G3 Trotters Cup
- Jan 24 - Ballarat: $100,000 G2 Pacing Cup $75,000 G1 Trotters Cup
- Jan 31 - Cranbourne: $150,000 G1 Pacing Cup, $75,000 G1 Trotters Cup
- Feb 7 - Kilmore: $150,000 G1 Pacing Cup, $75,000 G1 Trotters Cup
- Feb 14 - Melton: $250,000 G1 A G Hunter Cup, $250,000 G1 Great Southern Star
HRV has also announced changes to the Victoria Cup, Vicbred Super Series and Breeders Crown dates.
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National Ratings among discussion items in Victoria's June roadshows
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Harness racing participants, including trainers, drivers, owners, and breeders, are encouraged to attend June forums across Victoria to discuss national ratings, racing programs, and integrity matters.
Harness Racing Victoria will host the forums along with Harness Racing Australia, which will present plans for the national ratings system's evolution from January 1, 2026.
Dates and locations for the forums are as follows:
- Monday, June 16, 7pm: Maryborough
- Tuesday, June 17, 7pm: Melton
- Wednesday, June 18, 7pm: Mildura
- Thursday, June 19, 7pm: Ararat
- Sunday, June 22, 5pm: Shepparton
Locations are chosen in consultation with industry stakeholders to allow as many participants as possible to attend, including on race-free days on June 16 and 22. HRV is planning further forums in September, following on from its March roadshows.
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Ticket sales close tomorrow for Victoria's awards night
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Victorian Harness Racing Awards night at Melton Entertainment Park is on Monday, May 26, with ticket sales for the special annual celebration closing at 5pm tomorrow (May 22).
Trots enthusiasts are encouraged to come and celebrate 2024's stars of the track and salute those who will be celebrated for their service.
Awards on the night will include:
Participant, breeding and volunteer awards will also be presented. Tickets are $65, which includes a three-course sit-down dinner, complimentary drink on arrival and live entertainment. The details:
- When: Monday, 26th May 2025
- Time: 6:30pm – 11:00pm
- Location: Melton Entertainment Park
- Dress Code: Black Tie
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HRV to trial 2YO and 3YO concessions
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Harness Racing Victoria will implement a trial of two and three-year-old concessions from July 1.
The initiative follows feedback from HRV’s March roadshows and consultation with industry stakeholders, including the Victorian Trainers and Drivers Association and the Harness Racing Advisory Council.
The trial, which will be in racing programs from July until at least September 1, gives two-year-old horses’ 10-point concessions and three-year-old horses’ eight-point concessions when they compete outside of their age categories.
The concessions will be applied:
- Regardless of two and three-year-old horses’ current ratings
- Automatically down to the base national rating level of 30
The concessions will not be applied:
- In two and three-year-old races
- In races where the conditions stipulate otherwise
- In races outside of Victoria
HRV will continue to consult with stakeholders and seek feedback before considering permanent implementation of the concessions.
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HRV and industry members meet for council discussion
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The council consists of representatives from Harness Racing Victoria's Board, the Victorian Trainers and Drivers Association, Trots Clubs Victoria, Harness Breeders Victoria, the Victorian Square Trotters Association, and the Victorian Harness Racing Club.
Among the discussion items were:
- The Breeders Crown format, with alternate options, including slot elements, under consideration
- A wagering update, which is trending well for average turnover per race but is down on total turnover, with fewer races run year-on-year
- The advisement of a change in broadcast provider to Rainmaker
- A financial update, with HRV on-budget despite nationwide challenges from wagering declines that impact revenue
- Proposed changes to microchipping processes
- The introduction of split payments for ownership groups
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Owner split prizemoney capability on all Victorian races from July 1
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Sharing horse ownership will become easier to manage with Harness Racing Victoria to introduce split prizemoney capability for owners on all Victorian races from July 1, 2025.
When actioned, the self-service payment system will enable prizemoney to be automatically split among ownership group members, reducing group manager's workload and making it easier for larger ownership groups to get involved.
Set up via Harnessweb, the system distributes returns, including prizemoney and bonuses, to owners and breeders.
To set up an account:
- Have an active HarnessWeb account populated with up-to-date email and Australian/international bank account details
- Have all ownership group members opt-in to split payment functionality
Once all ownership group members have opted in:
- Split payments will be activated for all horses in the partnership
- Statements will be automatically emailed to members
- Members will be advised via email of the modifications, including split payment set-up, approval, updates, and deactivation
- Remittances will be emailed to all members
For all setup information and split payments workflow processing for ownership/partnerships please CLICK HERE.
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Family, friends and harness racing farewells Greg Sugars
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Hundreds attended Melton Entertainment Park and thousands more tuned in on TrotsVision to farewell Greg Sugars, paying their respects to a champion horseman and even better person.
Sugars' wife Jess Tubbs, sister Kylie and close friends James Herbertson, Brett Coffey and Gavin Smith shared memories and spoke of their love for the 40-year-old, who sadly passed on April 26.
Others in attendance then stepped forward and took hold of the microphone to talk about some of their special moments with Sugars and to express how he had touched their lives.
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Partytime at Melton for Gath Racing as top trotters power to victory
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A couple of Andy Gath-prepared Group 1-winning trotters couldn’t have been more impressive at Melton on Saturday night.
However, it's unlikely either Watts Up Partytime or Im Ready Jet will contest this year’s Inter Dominion series at Albion Park in July.
“For a start Im Ready Jet wasn’t nominated for the series as this is her last preparation before she heads off to stud, and Watts Up Partytime is a very good short-course horse, but struggles over 2240 metres and beyond, and the final is over 3100 metres,” Gath said.
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A joy to watch our harness racing stars overseas
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What a time it is for Aussies abroad.
Victoria’s James Herbertson instantly became a man in demand when he resumed his US working holiday last week.
It is remarkable to think a guy who has spent just a couple of weeks in the US can make such an impression that he snared 20 drives across two race meetings – including drives in all 16 races at Scioto Downs.
Herbertson, who won two races at Scioto Downs, jets out to Stockholm for a week or so working with prominent and innovative local trainer Jorgen Westholm.
What a time to be there with the iconic Elitlopp – the race I believe is the best in the world – run next Sunday.
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Victoria's busiest sires of 2024-25 revealed
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A total of 2122 services to Victorian sires were recorded in the 2024/25 stud season, according to Harness Racing Australia’s HarnessWeb website.
Twenty-five pacing stallions had 1718 services, and 19 trotting services had 404.
The Alabar Bloodstock duo Always B Miki and Art Major, Poster Boy (Llowalong Farms) and Sweet Lou (Woodlands Stud) all served a full book of 150 mares.
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From HRV's racing office:
Vicbred eligibility to include interstate and overseas mares
Following consultation with Harness Breeders Victoria, HRV has introduced additional eligibility to allow the foals of interstate and overseas mares Vicbred eligibility. The foals will be eligible providing they meet the following criteria:
- A mare is inseminated in another state or outside of Australia, but the foal is born and registered in Victoria and is not eligible for any other Australian state breeding scheme
- A weanling of a mare inseminated outside of Australia, where both the mare and weanling have been imported to Victoria, provided that it is not eligible for any other Australian state breeding scheme.
Contact the Racing office on 03 8378 0291 from 7.30am-3.30pm weekdays or 8-9am weekends and public holidays, or email racing@hrv.org.au. For late scratchings or driver changes out of hours, leave a message on 03 9214 0650.
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From Pony Trots Victoria:
It has been a hugely successful 2024/25 pony trots season, which came to a close this week.
Pony Trots Victoria has held 55 events across 17 clubs, with Victorian ponies also competing in the ID24 at Menangle and the Mini Trot Championships in Tamworth.
Here are some of the standouts:
- Metro Champion pony and 3rd in the ID24 Midget division: Burnaholeinmybucket driven by Amelia Hodgson
- Shepparton Pony of the Year: Pride of Petite driven by Addison Duryea
- Bendigo Pony of the Year: Pixie Dust driven by Amelia Walliss
- Geelong Pony of the Year: Light the Fuse driven by Darcie Fisher
- Terang Pony of the Year: Exotic Tabitha driven by Lacey Hausler
- ID24 & NSW Mini Trot Champion - Shetland division: Super Mario driven by Sophie Jack
Pony Trots Victoria takes a break over winter and resumes in September. We thank all the young drivers, their families, and friends for a great season, our major sponsor, Hygain, and the clubs who supported the program.
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From HRV's integrity department:
Equine Welfare Framework and stable inspections
Harness Racing Victoria is committed to ensuring the highest standards of equine welfare across the industry. HRV’s Equine Welfare Framework sets out clear expectations to safeguard the health, safety, and wellbeing of standardbreds throughout their racing careers and beyond. To uphold these standards, HRV will continue to conduct stable inspections to monitor compliance.
All participants must familiarise themselves with the Equine Welfare Framework and assess whether their stable meets these requirements. If you recognise that you are not meeting these standards, we encourage you to reach out to HRV Integrity for advice and guidance.
Maintaining the welfare of our horses is a key responsibility for all participants. We appreciate the cooperation of all industry participants in meeting these essential standards. A copy of the Equine Welfare Framework can be found here.
Changes to elevated TCO2 levels policy
HRV's integrity department has reviewed its Elevated TCO2 Levels Policy to enhance integrity measures.
As a result, HRV is implementing key changes to strengthen its approach, including:
- Extended TCO2 monitoring: A horse will now remain on HRV’s TCO2 list for six race starts instead of the previous three race starts
- Mutual recognition across jurisdictions: If a horse is placed on another controlling body’s TCO2 list, and HRV is formally notified, the horse will automatically be subject to HRV’s policy if it races in Victoria
These measures reinforce HRV’s commitment to fair competition, integrity, and transparency. The updated policy will come into effect on June 2, 2025.
View the updated policy here. View the elevated TCO2 levels list here.
Contact HRV's integrity department via the details listed below for more information.
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From HRV's customer service, futurities, and licensing:
HarnessWeb participant process for lodging transactions from July 1, 2025
HRV advises that from July 1, 2025, the following transaction functions must be completed online through HarnessWeb:
- Foal Notifications
- Namings
- Transfers of Ownership
- Licence applications including renewals
- Leases
- Deregistration/Death of horses
- Split Prizemoney Payments
The functionality through HarnessWeb has been introduced by state controlling bodies to streamline these processes, significantly reducing paperwork and manual processing.
Licensed persons or owners who do not have a HarnessWeb account can easily apply. Account approvals are generally done by the next working business day. To apply:
HRV recognises that not all participants will have the available technology to use the online HarnessWeb processes and assistance will continue to be provided in those extenuating circumstances.
For information or help call HRV Customer Service on 03 8378 0200 or email info@hrv.org.au
Need For Speed futurities
Need For Speed foal nominations, yearling nominations or series fees for one-year-olds and three-year-olds age acceptances close on August 1, 2025. Emails and SMS information have been sent, with further reminders to follow closer to the payment deadline. Email needforspeed@hrv.org.au or call HRV Customer Service (03 8378 0200) with any queries. All information regarding Victorian Futurities can be found at Breeders Barn - Harness Racing Victoria
Foal notifications/microchipping
A reminder that foal notifications can be completed online via HarnessWeb or by downloading a 'Foal Notification' form on the foal notification information page at thetrots.com.au. If you still have not been contacted by the microchipping team, don’t panic, there are a few foals to get through at this stage, which the team is working on to finish as soon as possible. Please ensure you have notified your foal to be on list.
Have a query? Contact HRV's Customer Service Team on 03 8378 0200, 8.30am-5pm weekdays, or email info@hrv.org.au.
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