NZ METRO TC NEW
STAKES SCHEDULE
The New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club (NZMTC) announced on Friday, September 17, a range of enhancements to its basic stakes structure, commencing from October 1, 2010.
Under the revised stakes structure, a different basic stake level will apply depending on which day of the week an NZMTC meeting is conducted.
Headlining the announcement is basic stakes for the majority of Friday night NZMTC meetings will increase to $10,000, under the revised structure.
Saturday night meetings will carry a basic stake of $8000, while basic stake levels for Thursday Nights will be set at $7000.
Where the NZMTC is conducting a lower-key Friday night meeting – i.e. a meeting that coincides with a Premier meeting in Auckland or another feature meeting in Canterbury, a basic stake of $7000 will apply.
Premier meetings will continue to carry a basic minimum stake of either $15,000 or $20,000, while restricted Tuesday fixtures will be run for stakes of $3000 and $3500.
SUMMARISED BASIC STAKE LEVELS – NZMTC MEETINGS
Friday Night Feature Meetings: $10,000 (all grades).
Saturday Nights: $8000 (all grades).
Thursday Nights: $7000 (maidens, 1 win races), $7500 (2-3 win races), $8000 (4+ wins).
Non Feature Friday Nights: $7000 (maidens, 1 win races), $7500 (2-3 win races), $8000 (4+ wins).
Premier Meetings: $15K/$20K (1 win), $15K/$20K (2-3 wins), $20,000 (4+ wins).
Restricted Tuesday Meetings: $3000 (maidens), $3500 (1 win and faster).
The enhancements to basic stake levels represent a considerable increase on the $6500 basic stake that has applied at NZMTC night meetings in recent months.
In order to balance the Club’s budget and fund the basic stakes enhancements, one race will continue to be programmed for a stake of $5000 at all non-Premier meetings and non-Tuesday fixtures, while penalty-free races will also be programmed at lower levels given their penalty free nature.
The revised basic stake structure has also been made possible from reductions in feature race stakes as announced by the Club earlier this week.
NZMTC Chief Executive, Shane Gloury (photo left), believes that the increases to basic stake levels will be extremely well received by Industry participants.
“Our Club is very conscious of the need to provide healthy basic stake levels in the classes for the majority of horses, owners and trainers.”
“We cannot justify having feature races accessible to a minority few at unsustainably high levels while the majority of participants race for low basic stakes. The revised basic stakes structure better rewards the majority of participants for their involvement and investment in the Harness Racing Industry.”
Gloury also feels the revised stakes structure will provide enhanced earning opportunities for South Island-trained horses and assist trainers in placing their horses.
“The $10,000 Friday night meetings are designed to complement existing Premiers and to assist owners and trainers in maximising their stake earnings.”
“There are 16 meetings at Addington from October 1 through until the end of the season that will carry a basic stake of $10,000 or more.”
“We believe that this enhanced stakes structure will reduce the need for owners of South Island trained horses to send their horses north in search of higher basic stakes events.”
“The revised stakes structure is a commitment from the NZMTC to preserving participation levels in Canterbury and throughout the South Island. We are committed to the successful delivery of these enhanced basic stake levels and believe that they are achievable.”
“The only situation that would force us to revise these basic stakes levels in 2010/11 would be if turnover was to significantly reduce even further, which hopefully won’t happen.”
See below for a list of all NZMTC racemeetings (excluding restricted Tuesdays) from October 1 to July 31 and the respective basic stake levels.
NZMTC MEETINGS 2010/11
Fri 1, October 2010: Premier meeting, $15,000/$20,000 basic.
Sat 9, October 2010: Saturday night, $8000 basic.
Fri 15, October 2010: Feature Friday night, $10,000 basic.
Thurs 21, October 2010: Thursday night, $7000 basic.
Sat 30, October 2010: Saturday night, $8000 basic.
Tues 9, November 2010: Premier meeting, $15,000/$20,000 basic.
Fri 12, November 2010: Premier meeting $15,000/$20,000 basic.
Fri 19, November 2010: Feature Friday night, $10,000 basic.
Sat 4, December 2010: Saturday night, $8000 basic.
Thurs 9, December 2010: Dual Code Thursday night, $6000 average stakes.
Thurs 23, December 2010: Thursday night, $7000 basic.
Fri 21, January 2011: Feature Friday night, $10,000 basic.
Sat 5, February 2011: Premier meeting, $15,000/$20,000 basic.
Fri 11, February 2011: Non-feature Friday night, $7000 basic.
Thurs 17, February 2011: Thursday night, $7000 basic.
Fri 18, March 2011: Feature Friday night, $10,000 basic.
Fri 25, March 2011: Premier meeting, $15,000/$20,000 basic.
Fri 1, April 2011: Premier meeting, $15,000/$20,000 basic.
Sat 9, April 2011: Premier meeting, $15,000/$20,000 basic.
Sat 23, April 2011: Saturday night, $8000 basic.
Fri 29, April 2011: Non-feature Friday night, $7000 basic.
Sat 14, May 2011: Premier meeting, $15,000/$20,000 basic.
Fri 20, May 2011: Premier meeting, $15,000/$20,000 basic.
Fri 27, May 2011: Non-feature Friday night, $7000 basic.
Fri 3, June 2011: Non-Feature Friday night, $7000 basic.
Fri 24, June 2011: Feature Friday night, $10,000 basic.
Thurs 7, July 2011: Thursday night, $7000 basic.
Fri 15, July 2011: Feature Friday night, $10,000 basic.
Fri 22, July 2011: Non-feature Friday night, $7000 basic.
Fri 29, July 2011: Feature Friday night, $10,000 basic.