Harness Feature Events – Oaks / Derby

Tuesday 21 June 2022

Tasracing, in conjunction with all Harness racing clubs, held a workshop in March to discuss and plan the Feature Events calendar for the 2022/23 race season.

One major change will be the movement of the 3YO Tasmanian Oaks and Derby. Generally held at the Tasmanian Trotting Club (TTC) meeting in March, agreement was reached to move these races to September. This means that both the Oaks & Derby will not be run again until September 2023.

While the calendar is in the final stages of approval, with the commencement of the 2022/23 race dates season just around the corner the following changes have been made:

A Saturday evening (3 September) has been allocated by SKY for what will be the Oaks & Derby meeting. As a result, the following events will be held on that date for September 2022.

  • TTC 2YO Sweepstakes
    • Heats to be held 14th & 21st August – $10,500
    • Final 3rd September – $26,000
  • 3YO Spring Championship – Fillies & Colts/Geldings
    • Heats to be held 21st & 28th August – $10,500
    • Final 3rd September – $20,000
  • Trainers Encouragement Spring Series
    • Heats to be held 21st & 28th August – $7,500
    • Final 3rd September – $20,000
  • 4YO & Older NMT6LTW’s
    • Heats to be held 21st & 28th August – $9,000
    • Final 3rd September – $20,000
  • NR 55 & Better
    • Heats to be held 21st & 28th August – $9,000
    • Final 3rd September – $20,000
  • NR 60 – 69
    • Heats to be held 21st & 28th August – $9,000
    • Final 3rd September – $20,000
  • Metropolitan Cup – $20,000

 

The Sires Stakes will benefit from a different format with finals and an increase in prizemoney:

Launceston: 23rd October – A heat for all age / sex groups – $12,000
Hobart: 30th October – A heat for all age / sex groups – $12,000

Launceston: 6th November – 4YO Finals $60,000
Launceston: 13th November – 3YO Finals $60,000
Hobart: 20th November – 2YO Finals $60,000

All horses eligible to compete in the finals will be required to nominate for the first round of heats.

The Tassie Golden Apple final will see a prizemoney increase to $50,000 with heats to be run at $14,000 on the 13th & 27th November. Both the Golden Slipper and Golden Girl events held that night will see an increase in prizemoney ($20,000).

Tasmania Cup night will see heats into finals held the preceding weeks with the Henry Pullen Memorial also undergoing a change to race conditions:

  • George Johnson – Mares FFA
    • Heats 5th & 10th March
    • Final 18th March
  • LHT Cup – NR 60 & Better
    • Heats 5th & 10th March
    • Final 18th March
  • Henry Pullen Memorial – Trainer Encouragement
    • Heats 5th & 12th March
    • Final 18th March
  • Sinbad Bay / Jane Ellen
    • Heats 17th February, 5th & 12th March
    • Finals 18th March

The Easter Cup heats will be held over the preceding two weeks (26th March & 2nd April) with the Final retaining the Easter Saturday night timeslot (8th April). This meeting will also hold the Allen Williams Memorial final, the Keith Stanley Debutante and the Kevin Gillies Memorial. Discussions have been held with the LPC in relation to the level of prizemoney with agreement to reduce the Final to $75,000. Tasracing will work closely with the Club in relation to programming on the night.

Other changes to note will be the movement of the DHRC feature events:

NWTLHA Cup $12,000 – Burnie 28th October 2022
North West Plate Final $12,000 – Burnie 27th December 2022
Coastal Pacing Thousand $12,000 – Launceston 14th January 2023
Dash for Cash $12,000 – Launceston 14th January 2023
Mares Incentive $12,000 – Launceston 14th January 2023
Devonport Cup $40,000 – Launceston 14th January 2023
Patrons Marathon $12,000 – Burnie 10th February 2023
NWTLHA Mares Feature $9,000 – Burnie 10th February 2023
Sheffield Cup $14,000 – Launceston 28th May 2023
Latrobe Cup $12,000 – Launceston 28th May 2023
Leigh Plunkett $12,000 – Launceston 28th May 2023
Quality $12,000 – Launceston 28th May 2023
Devonport Belmont $12,000 – Launceston 28th May 2023
Leis Fillies & Mares Series $12,000 – Launceston 11th June 2023
Ulverstone Cup $14,000 – Launceston 11th June 2023
Max McCormack $12,000 – Launceston 11th June 2023

The full Feature & Special events calendars will be available via the Tasracing Corporate website once approved.

Andrew Jenkins
Chief Operating Officer
21 June 2022