KEY POINTS:
Alexandra Park's status as the home of New Zealand's richest harness racing has been cemented by a new round of stake rises.
And, this time, the major beneficiaries will be the connections of the lowest class horses.
From September 1, it is likely all Friday night races at Alexandra Park - even maiden and lowly conditioned races - will be held for a minimum of $10,000.
Already, the Auckland Trotting Club and tenant clubs Manukau, Thames and Kumeu have confirmed the stake increases, with the Franklin Trotting Club expected to do so at its next committee meeting.
The move will make Alexandra Park clearly the best track to race lower-class horses on in Australasia.
While several Australian states, headed by West Australia, have dramatically boosted stakes in recent years none can boast maiden stakes anywhere near $10,000.
And even though Addington raised it stakes this season, maidens there still only race for $8000.
While clubs should be raising stakes after the recent windfalls through tax changes and the future earnings expected from racing product being sold off shore, the latest changes are especially significant because they are aimed at the industry's battlers.
Last year, the ATC lifted stakes for its group one races and could have done so again but they are already at levels where another $50,000 or so would be unlikely to provide better fields.
By increasing the lowest stakes, it means the many small-time trainers and even owner-trainers in the north can aim their horses at races where even a placing once a month would make them financially viable.
That the bigger clubs, like the ATC, look after the major stables and richer owners is a common complaint from the small but vocal army of miscontents in the racing industry, but the latest move leaves them without a leg to stand on.
The move is expected to cost the clubs an extra $10,000 a night but makes racing a harness horse in the north one of the most cost-effective racing alternatives in the world.
"We wanted to look after the small-time owners and trainers and there is no better way than increasing the lowest stake levels," said ATC vice-president Rod Croon.
"We had to boost the major races last season to secure our future as a major racing centre and were thrilled that helped attract horses like Lombo Pocket Watch and Flashing Red.
"But now that has been achieved, we want to look after our local owners and trainers at all levels."
The move took courage from the ATC bosses, who approved it unanimously, because it meant maidens will now race for more than the $8000 threshold for metropolitan penalties in Australia.
Previously, clubs had been wary of that mark because it meant a horse winning a maiden race in New Zealand worth more than $8000 incurred a metropolitan penalty in Australia, making them harder to sell offshore.
"The days of us worrying about that are gone, we have to look after our long-term owners first," said Croon.
The move is likely to boost the number of southern horses being sent north to compete at Alexandra Park, which will certainly increase turnover.
At a time when harness racing stake levels have never been better, the latest increases are the most significant ever.
They also come on top of a new bonus scheme, which means the connections of any horse good enough to win two Friday night races at Alexandra Park could pocket more than $14,000 in a week.
Record stakes
* Alexandra Park maidens are set to race for $10,000.
* The new level of stake increases are aimed at racing's battlers.
* The move will means a low-grade horse could win $14,000 in a week at the Auckland track.
* It is certain to lure more southern raiders to Alexandra Park.
