In a move aimed at assisting participants in the harness racing industry feeling the impact of Equine Influenza, the Bathurst Harness Racing Club have re- scheduled the due date for sustaining payments for the current Bathurst Gold Crown, which is set to be run in late March 2008.

Bathurst Harness Racing Club chief executive officer, Danny Dwyer, said the two and three-year-old sustaining payments, which would usually fall due on October 31, have been deferred until December 14.

“We will forward reminder notices to owners of eligible entries during the week commencing November 19,” Dwyer said.

“Our club felt that it was imperative that we provide maximum opportunity for owners to assess their options in light of the Equine Influenza situation, particularly in NSW and Queensland.

“We are currently all systems go to host our 22nd edition of this time-honoured event in March,” Dwyer added.

With virtually five months remaining until the carnival, BHRC officials are optimistic that the series will be run on the scheduled dates.

They are looking to raise the prize money levels for the three-year-old leg of the 2008 Gold Crown Series, namely the Bathurst Gold Chalice final (pacing colts and geldings) and Bathurst Gold Bracelet final (pacing fillies).

The BHRC is also keen to resurrect and promote the trotter’s component of the carnival via the three-year-old Bathurst Gold Coronet.

“In addition, if all goes according to plan, owners and trainers will be pleased to learn that we will be including two and three-year-old fillies races on every Bathurst program, commencing in the New Year,” Dwyer said

“Each of these initiatives should come as good news at a time when it is most needed.”