NZ follows suit on Jan 1

http://www.harnesslink.com/Australia...rses-birthdays

Traditionally all racehorses in this country have all had their birthdays on August 1, from now on all standardbreds will have their birthdays on January 1.
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The move mirrors a similar one made by Harness Racing Australia this year.

“We need to be in sync with Australia,” says Woodham, “to align our age-group racing.”

Now that the change has been made HRNZ will look at how it will impact on the racing programme here.