As reported by Michael Guerin for the NZ Herald, a crippling interest bill is threatening to cut into the future of northern harness racing as the code in the region undergoes a major rebuild both on and off the track.
Harness racing in Auckland is set for a racing boost for the next few seasons as the TAB/Entain heavily back Alexandra Park racing alongside Addington most Friday nights as they attempt to make that day the weekly home of harness racing.
That will put Alexandra Park front and centre of the new push to get more eyeballs, and hopefully turnover, on the code while Auckland Trotting Club bosses are also thrilled to have their Auckland Cup night return to New Years Eve after the underwhelming response to holding it in late May.
Add in the new $1 million Golden Gait race night on December 20 and Alexandra Park, and Auckland harness racing fans, have plenty to look forward to in the remainder of 2024.
But the most important date for the club is November 8, the date the ATC is scheduled to receive the remaining $90m from the sale of the Franklin Park Training Centre.