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The New Zealand racing industry’s collective anticipation ahead of this afternoon’s Government edict on COVID lockdown status is being shared by TAB odds-setters in Petone.
Soon after 3pm the country will know whether regions other than Auckland will have at least some lockdown relief. While Aucklanders already know that they must wait until next week at the earliest for any prospect of a downgrade, the possibility still exists that the rest of the country may be allowed some respite, with a level 3 announcement from 11.59pm tonight the green light for domestic racing to resume, albeit with restricted on-course attendance.
Thoroughbred meetings are tentatively scheduled for tomorrow at Te Rapa, Awapuni and Ashburton, followed on Sunday by gallops at Matamata, harness meetings at Addington and Ascot Park and a greyhound fixture at Cambridge.
The TAB has already framed markets for tomorrow's three domestic meetings, while the finger is on the trigger for Sunday's four meetings should this afternoon's announcement be favourable.
"We've got to be ready to go if anything changes and if so things will suddenly get very busy," commented TAB bookie Thad Taylor on Friday morning. "Like everyone else we're certainly hoping that racing will be allowed to resume."
Taylor reports some activity on tomorrow's markets, with most attention on the Gr.2 Valachi Downs Foxbridge Plate (1200m) at Te Rapa. The weight-for-age feature is dominated by 2020 quinella pair Avantage and Tavi Mac, who opened at $1.80 and $4.20 respectively.
Avantage's price has stayed stable at $1.80, while after tightening at one stage to $3.80, Tavi Mac has returned to his opening quote.
"Understandably things have been relatively quiet with most punters waiting on what's announced this afternoon, but there has been money for both those horses," added Taylor.
"Avantage is one of those horses that always attracts money and there are people happy to back her at that price. Tavi Mac has his supporters too, but outside those two it's been more a matter of wait and see."
No other Foxbridge Plate runner is at single figures, with Supreme Heights on the third line at $10 and Mascarpone next at $14.
