THE planned harness racing season is finished in Broken Hill for 2025 but there’s still hopes a race meet might be held on the St Pat’s weekend.
President of the Broken Hill Harness Racing Club, Michael Honson said it looks like the bulk season will be lost.
“We will scrap the season and look to just race on the St Pat’s race weekend,” he said.
The local harness racing season has been in jeopardy after Harness Racing New South Wales put the required horse nominations for each meet up to 40.
HRNSW manager of industry development Brett Scelly said if the club could provide close to 40 nominations, they would consider sending out a steward.
“The 40 nominations are a guide,” he said.
“As has been discussed previously is that if nominations approach that figure and are genuine then we may run with a number approaching, but less than 40.
“HRNSW has been lenient with the running of meetings since guaranteeing racing at Broken Hill, with the anticipation that the club would become more self-sufficient.
“No other club has been given the same discretion.
“Of the last three meetings, the nominations have been; meeting one 20 nominations with six from Broken Hill, meeting two 26 nominations with six from Broken Hill, and meeting three eight nominations with three from Broken Hill.
“The 40-nomination threshold was implemented, as a number of integrity issues were identified previously, most notably horses nominating with no intention of running.
“Through 2023 and 2024, none of these meetings would have met the threshold for running a meeting.
“HRNSW will continue to work with the Broken Hill Harness Racing Club to ensure the best outcome for racing in the district.”
Mr Honson said he spoke with Mr Scelly but said he feels Harness Racing New South Wales don’t want to send stewards to the city.
“Sometimes, you just can’t control nominations, if it’s too hot to travel you will get scratches,” Mr Honson said.
“They said if we got about 37/38 nominations then we could hold a race meeting, but unless they drop it to 30, we just have no hope.”
Mr Honson said this week they had 10 nominations from Mildura and with the nine local horses, it still wouldn’t be enough.
“We waiting to see if Barwon member Roy Butler speaks to the racing minister to try and get something done,” he said.
“We are also speaking about next season and are hoping to get twilight Sunday meetings and to start from the St Pat’s weekend when it starts to cool down.
“We might even be able to make it a TAB meet, then we might be able to attract more horses.”
Mr Honson said the club was also struggling to attract numbers because people were concerned about the cancellations.
“Why nominate if they think we’re going to cancel?” he said.
While a few locals were travelling to Mildura to get some racing in, Mr Honson said there were trainers that also wanted to race in town.
