Racing: Jewels could move to Addington

Blair Orange drives Dizzy Miss Lizzy to victory in the Harness Jewels last month. Photo / HRNZ

The Harness Jewels could be facing a move from Ashburton to Addington.

The glamour harness racing event held annually on Queen's Birthday weekend alternates between the North and South Island each year.

Eleven runnings of the championship style event have been held at Cambridge and Ashburton.

Each venue is granted the hosting rights to the nine race event by the Harness Racing New Zealand board.

HRNZ chief executive Edward Rennell confirmed that the organisation had received an application to hold the 2019 Harness Jewels from the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club which races at Addington.

It is understood the Ashburton Trotting Club will reapply to host the Jewels for a seventh time, next year.

The decision on which club will win the rights to host the event will be made when the HRNZ board meets on April 28.

A move to Addington would significantly change the event. It was specifically held away from the country's two major metropolitan tracks when it was established in 2007.

A move to Addington would see a change from the traditional one mile (1609m) distance of all Harness Jewels races.

The mile starting point at Addington has received criticism for being unfair as it is positioned on a bend which makes drawing a wide or second row barrier a big disadvantage compared to an inside front row barrier draw.

The distance of the races is not a part of the Addington application, but would be considered after the decision was made on who won the event's South Island hosting rights — 1950m or 2000m races would make more logical sense, Rennell said.

Breaking tradition and moving from Ashburton could provide the revitalisation the Harness Jewels needs.

Some racegoers said last year's running there fell flat, lacked atmosphere and failed to attract a large crowd.