The transfer of the Interdominion series from Christchurch to Auckland was confirmed yesterday, a sequel of the earthquake last week.
The New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club will continue to host the series commencing on March 25 as a tenant at Alexandra Park.
The stake for the final of the pacing series on April 8 has been reduced by $250,000 to $750,000. The trotters' final remains at $250,000.
The members grandstand at Addington was yesterday declared by engineers as unsuitable for use.
Shane Gloury, the chief executive officer of the NZMTC, said it could take a week or three months to repair.
The NZMTC held a conference call yesterday with the Interdominion events committee and the Auckland Trotting Club.
The NZMTC had hoped to receive an assurance of hosting the Interdominion in 2013 but this was not forthcoming.
Fixed-dividend bets with the New Zealand TAB have to be refunded because of the venue change.
Alexandra Park commentator George Simon has offered the job of calling the Interdominion races to Addington caller Mark McNamara.
The New Zealand Derby, Trotting Derby, Trotting Oaks and Sales Series Fillies Pace will be re-scheduled in Canterbury.
Mr Feelgood is a late nomination for the $400,000 Auckland Cup on Friday week at a fee of $4000. He has entered the market at $7. He will remain for the Interdominion.
Blacks A Fake is also a confirmed starter for both events. Manhattan Rusty is on target for the Cheviot Cup on Sunday after a trial win at Motukarara yesterday.
• Manhattan Rusty, last-start winner of the Oamaru on January 30, missed the Waikouaiti Cup after he strained a hock, requiring veterinary treatment.
Glenferrie Magic, an entrant for the listed race for 2yr-old fillies at Rangiora on Sunday, won a trial yesterday Results:
Two-yr-old pacers, c&g, mobile, 2200m: Anvils Lifesign G Smith 1; Canndew 2. Two started. Nk. Time, 2.48.2. Trainer, P Burrows.
Two-yr-old trotters, mobile, 2200m: Annabelle Lindenny S Walkinshaw 1; French Dude 2; Vacanza 3. Four started. 1 3/4L, 3 1/2L. Time, 3.01.6. Trainer, D Bennett.
Two-yr-old pacers, f , mobile, 2200m: Glenferrie Magic M Jones 1; Star Of Isis and Black Ice equal 2. Eight started. 3/4L, ddht. Time, 2.54.2. Trainer, M Jones.
Qualifying test, pacers, mobile, 2200m: Junkyard Su C D Thornley 1; Bettor Takes All 2. Two started. 2 3/4L. Time, 2.49.2 (second horse qualified, trained by G and N Hope).
Qualifying test, pacers, 2200m: How Do Mate S Walkinshaw 1; Moncreiffe 2; I Live 3. Five started. 8L, 1 1/4L. Time, 2.54.5 (second horse qualified, trained by D Anderson).
Qualifying test, trotters, 2600m: Rabala Lady J Versteeg 1; Desert Flight 2. Three started. 58L. Time, 3.32.5 (first horse qualified). Trainer, J Versteeg.
0w pacers, mobile, 2200m: Lilytomella J Curtin 1; Ikin 2; Jimi Chew 3. Five started. Hd, hd. Time, 2.54.2. Trainer, J Curtin.
0w pacers, 2200m (first heat): Miss Sunshine R Alfeld 1; Caleb El 2; Franco Talon 3. Seven started. 2L, nk. Time, 2.58.3. Trainer, J Tate.
Second heat: Vibrate J Curtin 1; Lively Tintara 2; Lies A Lot 3. Five started. 5 1/2L, 3/4L. Time, 2.54.2. Trainer, J Curtin.
1w pacers, mobile, 2200m: The Walrus V Wishart 1; Quick Reflection 2; Danae 3. Six started. 1/2L, 2L. Time, 2.52.6. Trainer, V Wishart.
2w+ pacers, mobile, 2200m: Franco Emirate J Curtin 1; Fuoco 2; Spero Denario 3. Five started. 1L, 1/2L. Time, 2.52.9. Trainer, J Curtin.
0w trotters, 2200m: Sunsoon M Edmonds 1; Spice And Spark 2; The Soldier Fritz 3. Six started. 1/2L, 1/2hd. Time, 3.04. Trainer, M Edmonds.
1w+ pacers, 2600m: Manhattan Rusty 10 J Curtin 1; Sunglasses N Cigars 2. Two started. Nk, Time, 3.38.2. Trainer, B Hutton.
2w+ trotters, 2600m: Waihemo Sam 10 S Walkinshaw 1; Medora 2; Waihemo Jordan 3. Three started. 1 1/2L, 2 1/4L. Time, 3.37.2. Trainer, K Hannah.
• Greg Bennett, the New South Wales reinsman, is to be reunited with Excel Stride in the second heat of the Great Northern Derby at Alexandra Park on Friday night.
Excel Stride won his first start in New Zealand at Alexandra Park last Friday night in the hands of Mark Purdon who is required for his stable runner Major Mark.
Bennett has driven Excel Stride in his previous four starts including a second to Sushi Sushi in the Victoria Derby two starts back.
Excel Stride has recorded seven wins and four seconds from 13 starts.
Sushi Sushi, who has not raced since his Derby win on February 5, will be driven by Greg Sugars from barrier one in first heat of the GN Derby.
The Art Major gelding has won 12 of his 20 starts and recorded seven placings.
Sugars has driven him in his last seven wins.
• Andrew Amour has been engaged to drive Mah Sish at Winton today. Mark Jones who drove Mah Sish to win at Wyndham on Saturday is not attending the meeting.
• Remington has returned a positive test in a urine sample after finishing third at the Cambridge harness meeting on February 3 the Racing Integrity Unit has announced.
Remington is trained by Errol Downey.
- with ODT racing staff and NZPA
