Harness and Thoroughbred Racing Calendar 2026-27

[Chief Stipe]

Racing Calendar for both Harness and Thoroughbred Racing 2026-27.

Who missed out?

2026.27 Final Racing Calendar - TAB NZ.pdf

[mikeynz]

Racing in Palmy North next season is going to be sparse, I note the Ashburton trot meet just before Christmas  don't follow 2 days after Invers, that did affect Invers a lot, Geraldine the Sunday before Xmas now, Timaru not racing in week before Nelson, if Nelson are smart then they should get better numbers, CD looking pretty sad, Ruakaka on Easter Monday, worked well but  surprised not more, as is always the case if something works then just do more and more but  one good day is fine, I'm not sure if there is another day elsewhere at present, Hawera, 4 days, would Whanganui be a option, its closer to Otaki and Masterton, Diamonds day at Invers is Anzac Day so fewer races I'd guess but then only remove the lesser races, not much changes really but the CD, will some participants pull the pin?

[Slippery Slope]

Along with the Asburton and Geraldine exchanging dates in December there will hopefully be another change of programming from Methven shifting their Green Mile races from December to their Sunday meeting in early February. That would give more continuity and better spread of racing opportunities for the just below top class horses in Canterbury across all the summer period.

[Brodie]

The important thing here though, how can they program these meetings with dates when they have no idea of what HRNZ are going go be getting from the TAB as a payout for the next year ??

They really have no idea do they?

What are the likely stakes being paid?

They surely need to be slashed from what they are currently to survive?

[Shad]

Couple of grass tracks meetings and an all weather one leading up to the west coast harness circuit, seemed to have struggled over the past few years with numbers for their Xmas race days, or maybe just the sign of the times, fuel cost accommodation ect, one time they’d have max fields with ballots.

[mikeynz]

That Ashburton day Sunday Dec 6 must be that feature day with all the stallion progeny day, so why have Wyndham same day,  must have some affect on this day, it certainly impacted on Invercargill Cup day fields wise.

Edited May 20 by mikeynz

[mikeynz]

And also rather oddly Palmy have a Tuesday Thursday wedged in between Ruakaka, Easter Monday and Cambridge slots on the Friday, maybe the following week might be smarter or some other time.

Edited May 20 by mikeynz

[mikeynz]

On 5/21/2026 at 4:34 AM, mikeynz said:

That Ashburton day Sunday Dec 6 must be that feature day with all the stallion progeny day, so why have Wyndham same day,  must have some affect on this day, it certainly impacted on Invercargill Cup day fields wise.

Now December 6 is Forbury at Wingatui, if that's the same day as the 5000 whatever day is Ashburton, must have some affect on fields, no racing in CD until Dec 8, that's 6 months  then nought until Jan 22 at Hawera, looks like CD is toast, how long before all the North Island is, it's not like the other 2 are awash with cash.

[Westview]

On 21/05/2026 at 4:55 AM, mikeynz said:

And also rather oddly Palmy have a Tuesday Thursday wedged in between Ruakaka, Easter Monday and Cambridge slots on the Friday, maybe the following week might be smarter or some other time.

Do you seriously think they will be running slots again at Cambridge,  I think it would be very hard to justify for a concept that was first touted as a no industry financial input to now $600,000 and struggling to find a sponsor well a paying one.

[mikeynz]

12 minutes ago, Westview said:

Do you seriously think they will be running slots again at Cambridge,  I think it would be very hard to justify for a concept that was first touted as a no industry financial input to now $600,000 and struggling to find a sponsor well a paying one.

No idea on the slots but slotting 2 of Palmys few dates between 2 northern days, odd.

Edited May 22 by mikeynz

[Taku Umanga]

“This was about taking an evidence-based approach to ensure the racing programme is aligned to where horses are based and where the strongest wagering opportunities exist."

I can't recall many horses based at Taupo .... yet that location gets 3 more meetings and Palmy loses out - nonsensical!