With the abandonment of the Taranaki meeting on 29 December the exemption free race for the Remutaka Classic on 20 January was also lost. The  Mdn 2040m race at Wanganui’s 11 January meeting will now be a ballot free race for the $350,000 Remutaka Classic 9 days later. The winner of this race at Wanganui will be assured a start in the Remutaka Classic, if nominated.