Winter racing is right around the corner and riders in the highweight and jumping ranks will have an added incentive to perform on raceday, with two bonus series’ to contest alongside the existing Amateur Riders Series.

Already underway is the Highweight Jockeys Bonus Series, kindly sponsored by Saddlery Warehouse Cambridge and Tauranga. This series offers flat races to jumps jockeys returning for the new season, but also riders above the average weight for standard flat racing, which has opened opportunities for the likes of Troy Harris and Sam O’Malley.

After six events have been run and won, Portia Matthews narrowly leads the overall standings on seven points, ahead of Lemmy Douglas (6) and Harris (5). The contest is wide open, with points for first (3), second (2) and third (1) in each race.

On September 19, the Highweight Series will wrap up at Te Aroha, with the winner receiving $2,000, $1,000 for the runner-up, and $500 for third.

A number of the Highweight riders will cross over into the jumping code at short notice, with an added incentive this season being the Jumps Jockey Bonus Series, generously supported by Knottingly Farms.

From May 11 to September 21, jumps racing will take place nearly every weekend through the Northern and Central Districts regions, alongside the Grand National Festival at Riccarton Park in August.

In each race, the winning hoop will receive five points, with three points for second and one point for third. At the culmination of the series, the winner will receive $2,000, with $1,000 for second, $700 for third and $300 for fourth.

The winter period also offers the Amateur Riders their time in the spotlight, with 11 races contested throughout the country. The Amateur Riders Series provides an exciting competition without the pressures of professional riding, aimed to give a range of industry participants an opportunity to step out on raceday.

The series has also offered a pathway for emerging young riders, with current apprentices Amber Riddell and Hayley Hassman among those who have used the Amateur ranks as a stepping stone in their careers.

This year’s Amateur Series will have the generous support of Race Images Official Photos, who will provide a gift voucher and a framed photo of each winner. At the end of the series, the winning rider will be presented a trophy.

The sought-after Duke of Gloucester Cup is likely to be run at Te Aroha on September 19.