Central Otago Cup moves to Winton

The Central Otago Trotting Cup will be run after all, it’s been announced today.

The race was cancelled after bad weather forced the abandonment of the Omakau races on January 2.

But now it’s been decided the Group 3 Cup will be run at the Winton Harness Racing Club meeting on January 20. Stakes for the Cup have been set at $25,000.

The decision comes after lengthy discussions between the Central Otago Trotting Club, the Winton Harness Racing Club and Southern Harness.

The move is not unprecedented. In 2020 the Cup was abandoned after Ricky May’s medical event driving AG’s White Socks. He collapsed to the ground during the race and had to be revived.

The Cup was later run at the Wyndham track on January 16.

Heisenberg won the Cup for trainer Robert Dunn, and already there have been indications that two of the stable’s stars Henry Hubert and Classie Brigade will make the trek south from Canterbury for the Cup in little under a fortnight. Other runners in the original field have also indicated they will attend the event at Winton.

For any more information contact Julie McEwan-Franks at Southern Harness.

Phone: 03 2179117 | Fax: 03 2179117 | Mobile: 0274 390 660

Email: julie@southernharness.co.nz