The Race by Grins joins NZ’s richest races

The Race by Grins will join the thoroughbred code’s Karaka Million races and New Zealand Derby as the country’s richest races in 2023, with Waikato-Bay of Plenty Harness committed to a $1 million stake for the second edition of the race.

The inaugural running of the innovative race earlier this year, attracted some of the best standardbreds in Australasia to compete and was won by the Mark Purdon and Hayden Cullen-trained Self Assured, the charge of slot holders SENZ.

“We were really proud of what we achieved with the first edition of the race and we’re excited to build on that foundation and create a bigger and better event next year starting with the increase in prizemoney,” Cambridge Raceway CEO Dave Branch said.

The Race by Grins is the top billed race of the newly branded Grins Night of Champions, a nod to the Waipā district’s slogan, home of champions, which will take place on Friday April 14.

The first race of its kind in New Zealand, The Race by Grins is a slot race whereby 10 slots were sold securing the slot holders a spot in the race for three years. They then liaise with owners and trainers to fill their slots with independent deals done on the distribution of any prize money won.

The terms and conditions of The Race by Grins have also been amended.

“Last year Dunstan’s horse was withdrawn prior to the fields being drawn which was disappointing for everyone involved, so we want to avoid another situation like that,” Branch said.

The 2023 edition of The Race by Grins will have a pool of horses available from which slot holders can select a replacement for any horse withdrawn prior to acceptance time. There will also be one emergency drawn in the field.