Former Southland trainer Ken Dixon has won a Small Claims Court case against Harness Racing New Zealand over its maiden bonus scheme.
The court recently awarded Dixon payment of $1500 for his trotter Sheer Class's first win as a squaregaiter in June last year.
The horse had previously won three races as a pacer, which was why Harness Racing New Zealand initially refused to pay the bonus.
The matter was discussed by the organisation's board when Dixon raised the issue, but it was decided that the bonus would not be paid as it was not the organisation's intention to pay the bonus to horses who had already won tote races.
Dixon then took the matter to court as a matter of principle he told The Informant.
``I could have walked away; not getting that money wasn't going to put me out on the road.''
``But it is the principle involved. They set up the rules and then tried to duck out of them.''
``I'm very pleased with the result.''
Chief executive Edward Rennell said the HRNZ board would discuss the matter at its next board meeting and decide on whether to contest the decision and consider a change to the maiden bonus payment policy.
There are up to four horses who have won races after switching gaits since $1500 bonuses were paid to race winners.
