The eligibility criteria for the Eureka Harness Race in 2023 have been confirmed following consultation via the Harness Industry Forum.
The agreed conditions relate to the 2023 slot only. Arrangements will be reviewed annually ahead of the 2024 and 2025 events.
The qualifying race (worth $80,000) will be run over 2090-metres at Hobart on either Saturday 5 August or Sunday 6 August (SKY broadcast dependent).
The race will be for 3YO and 4YOs only.
The horses must be TASBRED, or
100 per cent owned by a Tasmanian resident/s for no less than 12 months prior to the Eureka race in September and 100 per cent trained by a licensed Tasmanian trainer for no less than six months prior to the Eureka race (March 2023).
The field size will be 10 plus two emergencies. The winning horse will receive the Tasracing slot.
Tasracing has received feedback about the potential for a conflict of interest regarding field selection. The Tasracing Eureka Selection Panel (TESP) will be responsible for the selection of the final field of the qualifying race.
The TESP will comprise of the Director of Racing / Chairman of Stewards and Office of Racing Integrity (ORI) staff as determined by the Director of Racing and the Tasracing CEO and Tasracing staff.
The final make-up of the qualifying race field will ultimately be determined by Tasracing in conjunction with ORI to ensure compliance with the Racing Regulation Act.
Nominations for the qualifying race will open at 9:30 am Monday 17 July 2023 and close at 9:30 am on Monday 31 July 2023.
The Eureka Harness Race will be held at Menangle over 2300 metres on Saturday 2 September 2023. The 10 inaugural slot holders cover all harness racing states in Australia.