By MICHAEL GUERIN
The greatest Auckland Cups gamble of the decade is a success without a race being run.
The Auckland Trotting Club broke new ground earlier this year when they decided to stage their Cup carnival before Christmas.
It was a radical move away from their usual Christmas-New Year dates which clashed with the Auckland Racing Club's Cup carnival.
While those who liked the intertwined carnivals would say the racing and harness racing meetings complimented each other, the reality was Auckland racegoers simply got all raced out.
But not anymore. The Auckland Trotting Cup carnival starts on Friday and will effectively be finished three days before the first champagne corks pop at Ellerslie on Boxing Day.
"I know we haven't started the carnival yet but I am sure we have made the right move," said ATC general manager Graham Dale.
"Already we have had great support for the new concept from sponsors and the bookings for restaurants have been superb.
"We are giving people a chance to have their Christmas work break-ups in a fun environment with a lot of entertainment."
The move to two very separate carnivals also plays into the hands of the TAB, who have the chance to market them separately to punters.
Dale says the faith his club has shown in the new dates has been backed by trainers.
"We have a flight coming in from Christchurch on Thursday with 25 horses on it, all being set for our carnival," he said. "That will not only make for exciting racing but higher turnover."
The ATC will continue to take registrations until Thursday for the High Rollers Challenge, the richest punting competition staged in New Zealand, which will be held on Friday night.
"The beauty of the High Rollers challenge is anybody could win, whether you are a professional punter or somebody with a more casual interest. After all, anybody can have a good or bad night on the punt."
Regardless of who wins on Friday night or during the rest of the carnival, Auckland Trotting Club officials are confident they have backed a winner.
Racing: Dates change a winner ...
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