‘We can’t keep going down’: Blow to Junee trots as race dates slashed

THE future of harness racing in Junee has been dealt a major blow, with confirmation the town will lose three of its five annual meetings from 2026 — a move that has sparked backlash from community leaders and industry stakeholders.

In a written response to The Junee Bulletin following Saturday night’s Pacers Cup, Harness Racing NSW (HRNSW) chief executive Peter Buckman confirmed that the governing body will cut Junee’s allocation to just two race dates per year under a new statewide calendar.

“I can confirm that the number of race meetings allocated to Junee will reduce from five (5) to two (2) per annum from the 2026 season onward,” Mr Buckman said.

“This approach ensures Junee retains dedicated community race days on the calendar and allows the Club to focus its efforts and resources on delivering two strong meetings.

“Concentrating activity in this way provides the opportunity to amplify on-course patronage, strengthen local sponsorship activation and maximise community engagement around those events.”

2026 Junee Pacers Cup | Photo: Facebook/Campbells Comments

‘A restructure, not a cost-cut’

Mr Buckman said the changes were part of a broader restructure aimed at improving commercial performance and sustainability — not a direct cost-cutting exercise.

“As with any major sporting and wagering organisation, we maintain an ongoing and disciplined focus on business performance and achieving the best possible base cost position while delivering our racing product,” he said.

“This is a continuous process designed to maximise commercial outcomes across wagering performance, audience engagement and on-course patronage, while maintaining prudent financial management.

“It is not a short-term or reactionary exercise, but a fundamental part of responsible governance.”

He added that while HRNSW recognised the challenges this posed for small regional clubs, support would remain in place.

“HRNSW will continue to support Junee in delivering its remaining meetings,” Mr Buckman said.

“This support has included, and will continue to include, appropriate financial assistance and access to operational resources to help ensure these events are sustainable and ultimately deliver an amplified product to the community.”

Crowd pictured at the 2025 Junee Pacers Cup | Photo: © The Junee Bulletin

‘We can’t keep going down’

For a town where the trots were once the beating heart of summer, the news has hit hard, with stakeholders warning that two meetings per year may not be enough to keep the club viable.

Speaking trackside with Campbell’s Comments on Saturday night, Junee Harness Racing Club president Trevor Allamby said a reduction in dates would undermine generations of community tradition.

“It is a shame. It really affects us,” Mr Allamby said.

“The community like coming to the trots those five times a year. It’s all about the community. They’ve supported the club since they were kids, just like their parents did.

“If it’s cut back to two, well, what can I do? It is what it is. We’ll see how we go.”

The club has been actively working to broaden its audience, introducing initiatives such as a $10,000 speed shearing competition to draw new crowds and keep the event fresh.

“You’ve got to get people here who aren’t usually coming to the races. There might be one or two who get interested enough to maybe put in for a horse or something. We’re just trying something different.”

READ MORE: Speed shear injects new energy into Pacers Cup

Speed shear organiser Saul Duck echoed the sentiment.

“Without the little clubs, we’ve got nothing,” he said. “We can’t keep going down. Definitely five meetings would be great.”

Junee’s inaugural Speed Shear contest at the 2025 Junee Pacers Cup | Photo: © The Junee Bulletin

Junee’s inaugural Speed Shear contest at the 2025 Junee Pacers Cup | Photo: © The Junee Bulletin

Balancing commercial returns and community impact

Mr Buckman said HRNSW valued the role of clubs like Junee in promoting the sport at a grassroots level, but that changes were necessary to balance commercial performance with social impact.

“HRNSW must facilitate racing where the industry can achieve the most commercially beneficial outcomes overall, while balancing participant requirements and the social and community value delivered by racing — particularly in regional areas.”

“Decisions are not made in isolation, but with regard to how regions function together within the statewide program.”

In shaping the calendar, HRNSW considers a range of performance and sustainability indicators, including wagering data, on-course engagement, participant access, and alignment with major infrastructure investments.

One of those, Mr Buckman noted, is the $15 million recently spent upgrading the Wagga racing precinct.

“As the governing body, we have an obligation to optimise the return on this capital investment for participants and the industry as a whole,” he said.

“Importantly, this focus is not intended to come at the expense of community-based clubs such as Junee, but rather to ensure a sustainable and balanced regional racing structure.”

Crowd pictured at the 2025 Junee Pacers Cup | Photo: © The Junee Bulletin

‘The flow-on effect is enormous’

Cootamundra MP Steph Cooke, who attended Saturday’s Cup meeting, said cutting the calendar would have consequences well beyond the track.

“We grew up on trots. It’s such an important part of our summer,” Ms Cooke told Campbell’s Comments. “We’d love more of them — certainly not less.”

“It’s not just about the economic value. It’s about the fabric of our way of life. This time of year, we have our fair share of challenges. It’s so important that our farmers and the townies can come together and enjoy a really great night out.”

She called on HRNSW to better account for the community-wide impact of decisions like this.

“The flow-on effect is enormous.”

Steph Cooke MP pictured with the Speed Shear crew at the 2026 Junee Pacers Cup | Photo: Facebook/Steph Cooke MP

‘The lifeblood of the game’

Also speaking trackside with Campbells Comments on Saturday, Veteran local trainer Bruce Harpley described events like the Pacers Cup as critical for connecting people to the sport.

“They’re massive. They’re the lifeblood of the game,” Mr Harpley said.

He said the affordability and relaxed family atmosphere of nights like these helped maintain interest and participation at a local level — something at risk under the new calendar.

“You can come here, spend bugger all, the kids can run around, go on the jumping castles and have a bit of entertainment. Everyone goes away with a good feeling.”

2025 Junee Pacers Cup | Photo: © The Junee Bulletin

What happens now?

While the new calendar is locked in, HRNSW said it remains open to dialogue with Junee about how best to support the town’s remaining race days.

“The Riverina is an important part of the Harness Racing NSW racing portfolio and, as a collective, plays a significant role in participant engagement, regional coverage and community connection across the code,” Mr Buckman said.

“HRNSW remains committed to ongoing engagement with the Junee Harness Racing Club regarding the delivery and enhancement of its meetings, and how best to support community outcomes within the broader statewide program.”

Whether that commitment is enough remains to be seen.

But the message from those trackside on Saturday night was clear: Junee doesn’t want just two meetings — it wants all five back.