HARNESS Racing New South Wales has today announced another prizemoney injection elevating Tamworth’s Golden Guitar to Group 2 status.
Prizemoney for the time-honoured feature has doubled and the 2020 edition will be worth $50,000 in stakes.
Minister responsible for racing and Better Regulation, Kevin Anderson, said the announcement shows that regional racing keeps going from strength to strength.
“We want our regional racing scene to continue to grow, which is why this investment in Tamworth’s Golden Guitar Harness Race is so important,” said Mr Anderson.
“The Country Music Festival in Tamworth is such an iconic event and we can celebrate an iconic harness race as part of it.”
This announcement further strengthens HRNSW’s stance on regional feature racing, making the Golden Guitar the most prestigious harness event in the state’s north.
A record quarter-of-a-million-dollars will be distributed throughout the upcoming Golden Guitar Carnival, held over three meetings.
Meanwhile record prizemoney, in excess of $1.5 million, will be distributed by the Tamworth HRC in the next financial year as advised by HRNSW Chairman Mr Rod Smith.
“Our commitment to regional harness racing and in this instance the north-west is well demonstrated,” said Mr Smith.
“Next year HRNSW will provide $1.5 million in prizemoney at Tamworth double what was available to participants a short five years ago.
“In the last four years the number of race meetings at Paceway Tamworth has increased from 20 to 30 and I compliment the Club and the participants for demonstrating to my Board how strong our industry is in the region.”
Tamworth Club Chair Ms Julie Maughan was thrilled by the announcement.
“Absolutely rapt,” said Ms Maughan.
“My Board and the participants work hard for the betterment of the north-west and to achieve our objective one of which was Group status for our flagship race is fantastic for all.
“This has been achieved through the generosity of HRNSW and we thank Rod (Smith), his fellow Board members and John (Dumesny) for providing the funding.”
To assure the future of harness racing in Tamworth, HRNSW purchased the Showground in 2016.
Since, HRNSW has injected $1.5 million into the property by virtue of a roof over the race stalls, a new Officials Pod and other works to make the property more presentable.
Also horses stabled and trained at the track have increased from 15 to 60 and the Club now conducts 30 meetings a year (in 2014 it was only allocated 20 meetings).
Next year’s Golden Guitar, on Thursday January 23, will be the 41st running of the feature.
First run by the Tamworth Harness Racing Club in 1979, some quality pacers have won the event including in recent times Mach Beauty who then went on to contest the Miracle Mile and Inter Dominion.
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