The Forbury Park Trotting Club has been allocated only two race meetings in the 2026-27 schedule.
One of these will take place in Wyndham, about two hours from Dunedin, while the location for the other is yet to be determined.
Without its own venue since Forbury Park’s closure in 2021, the club managed three race dates in 2025-26, including a recent event in Gore and a pre-Christmas dual-code meeting with the Beaumont Racing Club at Wingatui.
The cancellation of the dual-code meeting has particularly upset Williams, leading him to foresee a bleak outlook for the 134-year-old club.
“Things aren’t looking that flash,” he remarked to the Otago Daily Times.
“New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing has indicated they no longer want us at Wingatui.
“I’ve written to inquire if it’s a temporary or permanent decision, yet I’ve had no response.
“It’s a disaster for us. There’s nowhere else for us to go. We’re two hours from nearly any alternative location.
“It’s likely a death knell.”
Williams recognized the challenges of maintaining a club without a regular venue, especially amidst broader issues facing New Zealand racing.
However, he believes Forbury Park could sustain its status if allowed to race at Wingatui.
“Wingatui is available, and there is pressure for closer collaboration between the two racing codes, which I find puzzling.
“We could propose two additional race days at Wingatui and cover the track hire costs, maintaining local racing.”
The club had arranged complimentary buses for members to reach other tracks, but most members are reluctant to travel such distances, according to Williams.
Williams also criticized Forbury Park’s parent organization.
He accused Harness Racing New Zealand of tightening the screws over race scheduling.
“They’ve let us down by not supporting or advocating for us.”
Williams claimed HRNZ showed disregard for Forbury Park by reallocating the club’s December 6 race day to Ashburton.
Forbury Park and HRNZ entered arbitration after the venue was sold to the Dunedin City Council for $13.2 million in 2024.
Williams revealed that Forbury Park’s share was $1.5 million, secured by HRNZ with interest benefiting the club, and he hoped the funds would be reinvested into southern harness racing should Forbury Park cease operations.
HRNZ stated that the location for Forbury Park’s second meeting in 2026-27 is at the club’s discretion.
The loss of the dual-code meeting at Wingatui was “disappointing.” The organization expressed a desire to maintain Forbury Park’s presence there but noted the venue’s thoroughbred requirements didn’t accommodate harness racing as before.
The retention of two dates suggested a future for the club, according to HRNZ.
Mitch Lamb, general manager of racing, clarified that the decision to withdraw the dual-code meeting at Wingatui wasn’t made solely by NZTR.
“NZTR works with clubs, Harness Racing New Zealand, and the TAB NZ Dates Committee to create the racing calendar,” Lamb explained.
“For the December meeting, NZTR believed retaining the date would interfere with track renovations and maintenance before Wingatui’s main summer race days.
“That approach received support during the calendar development process, and NZTR is collaborating with Harness Racing New Zealand on alternative scheduling options.”
hayden.meikle@odt.co.nz
