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.
.........
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.