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After years of trying to compete against rugby, racing bosses are now willing to work with the national sport.
Since Friday-night rugby became a regular feature in New Zealand, both Alexandra Park and Addington harness meetings have struggled for crowds when meetings clashed with major games towards the end of the Super 14 competition.
And televised rugby also significantly affects TAB turnovers, proved by the fact they often surge for poorer meetings in midwinter when the rugby moves to Saturday night for the All Black tests.
Now Alexandra Park executives are telling rugby fans they can enjoy the best of both worlds.
Friday night's Rowe Cup meeting will signal the start of a special promotion in which the refurbished Tasman Room will be used for those wanting to watch both sports.
For $15 patrons can watch the rugby on big-screen televisions at one end of the room before moving to the other when they want to bet or watch the races.
"And we will put on a carvery meal, free racebook and free parking on track," said ATC boss Graeme Running.
"We realise plenty of people love both racing and sport and we want to give them the chance to enjoy both on their Friday nights," he said.
The start of the promotion, billed as Rugby at Alexandra Park, coincides with the double-header of the Rowe Cup meeting and the top-of-the-table clash between the Crusaders and the Sharks in the Super 14.
