North Canterbury News: January 13, 2022

NEWS
North Canterbury News, January 13, 2022
33
New year, new era for Rangiora harness racing
By SHELLEY TOPP
The Rangiora Harness Racing Club’s
New Year’sDay meetingmarkedan
historical milestone for harness racing
in New Zealand.
January 1isnow the start of the new
harness racing season,replacing the
former dateofAugust 1, and the new
season calendar is being billed as a
gamechanger for the industry.
Harness Racing New Zealand chief
executive Gary Woodhamsaid the key
reason for the change was to give every
horse the opportunitytorealiseits
potential, whether it was agun juvenile
or anine­year­old battler.
‘‘Wehave the challenge of limited
horse numbersinsome areas so we have
programmed races so thathorsesfrom
around the countryrace together.Itis
about maximising opportunities.’’
Two North Canterbury trainers, Phil
Burrows, of RakeroRacingStables, in
Rangiora ,and Bob Butt, who trains at
Woodend Beach, both preparedtwo
winners at Rangiora’sJanuary1meeting
as didCran and Chrissie Dalgety of West
Melton.
Rakero Rebel’s win,bynearlynine
lengths, provided astandout
performance on the day for Phil and the
pacing filly’sowners, Ronnie Dawe,his
brother Kevin and their father Ray.
Rakero Racing’s other winner, trotting
mareMuscleBank, also owned by the
Dawefamily, and afriend, set anew
track record of two minutes and 33.6
secondsfor the 2000 metrestanding start
race.
Philisafan of the new season
calendar.
‘‘I like it becauseitgives young horses
extra time,’’ he said. ‘‘You have more
timetoprepare themand don’t have to
pushthem too hardtoo early.’’
The Rangiora Harness Racing Club
was the only harnessracing club with a
meeting on New Year’s Day and club
president Greg Wright said it was great
to be part of suchanhistoric day in New
Zealand HarnessRacing history.
The club’s Christmas at the Races
meeting last December marked another
milestone.
‘‘It was the biggest sporting event for
quitesometime in North Canterbury
underCovid­19restrictions,’’ Gregsaid.
Everyone attendingthe club’s
Christmas and New Year meetings were
required to be doublevaccinated
againstCovid 19 and present vaccine
pass.
Greg hiredextra security for both
meetings to cope with any ‘‘blowback’’
aboutthe vaccinerequirements, but it
was not needed.
‘‘I was really thrilled with how
everyone attending the meetings
responded to the new requirements,’’ he
said.
‘‘There was absolutelynoissue
whatsoeverover the vaccination
requirements.
‘‘A few did forget to bring their
passports, but simply went home and
came back withthem,’’Gregsaid.
The club is celebratinganother
milestone at its next meeting, on
Saturday, February 19.
Racing will be held on the grass track
at the raceway under the same Covid­19
restrictions as the Christmas and New
Year meetings, with free entry.
The celebration will coincide with the
club’s Veteran’sDay which will
recogniselong­standingmembers of the
club.
The Widest Music Variety
Winning smiles ... Gavin Smith (left) is congratulated by Ronnie Dawe after Muscle Bank’s
success at the Rangiora Harness Racing Club’s New Year’s Day race meeting. PHOTOS: RACEIMAGES
Winning ride ... Rakero Rebel, driven by Gavin Smith, wins the New World Fillies and
Mares Mobile Pace on New Year’s Day.
PHOTO: RACE IMAGES
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