Racing: Trentham shift boon for HB stables

HB Racing general manager Andrew Castles says it'll be free admission at the races in Hastings this Thursday. Photo/File

Stakeholders are the main beneficiaries of the $150,000 worth of prestige jumps added to the race meeting in Hastings on Thursday.

It was originally a low-key industry carded meeting without jumps racing but Hawke's Bay Racing was able to stitch things together, says general manager Andrew Castles.

"We are going to now run those two $75,000 races which means stakeholders get to run for that money," says Castles of the Grant Plumbing Wellington Steeplechase (5500m) and the Anuka Smoker Wellington Hurdles (dropped to 3100m from 3400m) moved from Trentham after the polar blast left the racetrack in the capital city waterlogged.

"If we hadn't done that they would have been lost in the system, which means $150,000 worth of stake money not distributed to owners, trainers and jockeys."

Castles says there's no fiscal fizz for HB Racing as such but merely ensuring the allocated prizemoney goes to those who rightfully deserve it.

"We were in a position to be able to help and we're doing that."

Substantial rain was recorded here in the latter part of last week as well but a frosty start turned to a golden day yesterday.

The long-range forecast for the week is predominantly fine but occasional rain creeps in on Thursday.

The rails have been shifted out to protect 10m inside of the track for the premier Bostock New Zealand Spring Racing Carnival trilogy starting here on September 2 but Castles says that was always intended.

He agrees the likes of Waipukurau trainer Lucy De Lautour whose Kipkeino clinched the $50,000 Te Whangai Romneys Hawke's Bay Hurdles on July 1 will relish the home advantages.

So will the Paul Nelson-trained Shackler and stablemate Amanood Lad.

Castles says it is free entry on Thursday and the fields will be out tomorrow for the twin jumps that trainers consider a stepping stone to the Hospitality NZ Canterbury 128th Grand National in Riccarton on August 9.

The original fields from Trentham will stand here and will not be redrawn, according to a New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing statement last week.