APG Race Series: COVID-19 Update

26 March 2020 | Australian Pacing Gold

The Board of Australian Pacing Gold met today (26 March) to determine the best way forward for Series 29 [3yo] and Series 30 [2yo] Events planned for April and May 2020.

Given the closure of State Borders, it is not possible to conduct either the 2yo or 3yo Series races as planned.

Accordingly, in consultation with the Controlling Bodies and Principal Clubs in Queensland, Victoria, New South Wales and Western Australia, the Board resolved to seek a POSTPONEMENT of both Series 29 and Series 30 by TWELVE MONTHS.

The effect for each Series will be as follows:

Series 29 [Horses sold at APG Yearling sales in 2018]          

  • Fully sustained horses will compete in the ‘3yo leg of the Series’ in April/May 2021 at the age of FOUR.
  • The 3yo Championship Races will be conducted in July/August 2021 at the age of FOUR

Series 30  [Horses sold at APG Yearling sales in 2019]         

  • Fully sustained horses will compete in the ‘2yo leg of the Series’ in April/May 2021 at the age of THREE.
  • The 2yo Championship Races will be conducted in July/August 2021 at the age of THREE
  • Fully sustained horses will compete in the ‘3yo leg of the Series’ in April/May 2022 at the age of FOUR.
  • The 3yo Championship Races will be conducted in July/August 2021 at the age of FOUR

Series 31  [Horses sold at APG Yearling sales in 2020]

  • This Series is NOT affected.

Brisbane Sales Race

  • APG will adopt a “wait and see” strategy with the 2yo Brisbane Sales Race.  If racing is available in August, our preference would be to run the $100,000 2yo Brisbane Sales Race in its scheduled timeslot.  However, if that becomes an impossibility, then we will look to reschedule the race as early as possible once racing resumes, whilst giving adequate lead-time to participants to enable horses to achieve race fitness.

APG acknowledges that many will be disappointed that their APG Group One winning dream has been deferred by twelve months, but on a positive note, 100% of the $2million+ prizemoney that was originally allocated to the Series remains available and will be won by APG’s loyal participants in 2021.

The Board feels that the decision to defer the Series is the responsible way to deal with the many challenges posed by the current health crisis, and offers certainty for participants during a time when the evolving nature of the government’s COVID-19 containment strategies sees the landscape changing on a daily basis.

David Boydell
General Manager
Australian Pacing Gold

 

Related News

18 September 2025
LISTEN: Dan and Rob launch Friday Night Lights podcast
Join Dan Mielicki and Rob Auber for the first episode of their new show, Friday Night Lights. Thanks to the support of Squires Loft Sunbury, the boys drilled deep into the nine-race card from Melton Entertainment Park this Friday evening. CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO THE PODCAST
18 September 2025
Rare Maternal Lines, QBRED Bonuses, and $500,000 Sunshine Stars Eligibility
For decades, the world’s most successful harness racing breeders have quietly guarded the bloodlines that produce champions. Now, for a limited three-day window, the Baring Bloodstock QBRED Reduction Sale gives you access to the mares, foals, and young stock that could define the next era of the...
18 September 2025
Sweet Coco set to get the chocolates
Five-year-old mare Sweet Coco arrived at Gary Hall junior’s Serpentine stables this year after finishing a distant last at her final three appearances in New South Wales --- and then she made a splendid debut in WA with a strong win at Pinjarra last Monday week. She broke into a gallop at her final...
18 September 2025
Own the Families Behind Champions
Countdown to Opportunity: Baring Bloodstock QBRED Reduction Sale – September 23–25 The Maternal Lines That Shape Champions Are Open — For Three Days Only For decades, only a handful of breeders — mostly in the Northern Hemisphere — have held the keys to the maternal families...
18 September 2025
Baring Bloodstock QBRED Reduction Sale – Once-in-a-Generation Opportunity
Trying to uncover the strategies behind Group One, State Champion, or Sale Race breeders can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack. Yet, every now and then, the evidence is laid out clearly — pedigrees, performance, and proven crosses aligned in a way that gives both confidence and clarity....
Click for more