MEDIA Announcement - THE RADIANT

Port Pirie to host South Australia’s first-ever $100,000 slot race, The Radiant, this October

Port Pirie Harness Racing Club, one of the oldest country harness racing clubs in South Australia, are thrilled to announce it will host South Australia’s first ever slot race this October.

The $100,000 race to be known as The Radiant, which has been scheduled for October 10 in Port Pirie this year, is the newest addition to the racing calendar at this historic harness racing club which has been racing since the 1900s.

Port Pirie Harness Racing Club President Mick Darling said, “We are thrilled to make this announcement today. Our club is always looking for ways to innovate and add value and interest to our race meetings, and we saw this as a fantastic opportunity to introduce something new and exciting for participants and fans alike.”

This feature racing event in Port Pirie in our states north will be run for $100,000 and boasts a unique set of conditions.

Set to be an SA first, this exciting event will see 20 horses compete in heats to qualify for the $100,000 The Radiant run as the pinnacle race on the same night. In addition, there will be a $16,000 consolation allocated across the 10 horses that don’t make it into the final.

This exciting new race has been named in honour of Radiant Venture, the 1957 Inter Dominion champion horse who was owned in Port Pirie.

“We wanted to recognise a true champion from our local community and celebrate an important part of both Port Pirie’s and South Australia’s harness racing history. It is fitting that a horse of Radiant Venture’s stature is remembered through what we hope will become an annual feature event,” said Darling.

Harness Racing South Australia (HRSA) CEO Heath Pocock said it was a “terrific concept developed in a forward-thinking collaboration between the club and HRSA, which will add another feature night of racing to the SA October carnival that also will feature the SA Pacing Cup and Australian Drivers Championship.”

“I congratulate the Port Pirie committee and its harness racing community in initiating and embracing this exciting opportunity,” Pocock said. “I am sure plenty of local businesses, clubs and friendships groups will line up to be the first slot holders as well as participants who will vie to be the first trainer to win The Radiant.

“We as the industry body are also excited to see the many South Australians who will flock to be trackside on October 10. You don’t need to know anything about harness racing or the slot format to come and enjoy this fantastic event.”

This unique and engaging race concept will see 20 slot holders represented on the night battling it out to be the inaugural winner of the Radiant.

The successful slot holders will be chosen based on criteria, including their previous engagement and cooperation with the club and HRSA, and their capacity to promote and attend the race.

The price of each of the 20 slots has been set at $5,000 with expressions of interest invited from local businesses, clubs or groups by July 6.  A selection committee will meet to review submissions and determine the successful applicants, who will then be notified and tasked with finding their ideal horse.

The inaugural 2026 race conditions and horse eligibility have been carefully crafted to draw a field of emerging types and country warriors, which include:

Heats

  • 2 x 10 Horses
  • Distance: 1609M
  • First 5 placegetters in each heat progress to the final and last 5 to the consolation.
  • Random Barrier Draw
  • Prizemoney $3,500 (Rating Exempt)

 

Consolation

  • For last 5 placegetters in each heat.
  • Distance: 1609m
  • Random barrier draw conducted on the night
  • Prizemoney $16,000

 

Final “The Radiant”

  • For first 5 placegetters in each heat.
  • Distance: 1609m
  • Random barrier draw conducted on the night
  • Prizemoney $100,000

 

Horse Eligibility

  • 4yo and Older. NR Up to 65, Pacers, Mobile.
  • Restricted to horses with a continuous South Australian stable return from 10th August 2026.
  • Horses that have won any race with advertised stake money of $20,000 or more since 1 January 2025 are ineligible excluding wins in South Australia.  
  • Horse eligibility applicable 9am, 21st September 2026. 
  • No driver or mares concessions apply. 
  • Local HRSA concessions apply.

Darling said the club had already received outstanding community support for the concept. “The Port Pirie Harness Racing club thanks our sponsors for getting behind us, as well as the group of passionate club members for planting the seed this has grown from, and HRSA for its support to make this all happen.

“With this announcement now made, the hard work now begins to ensure the inaugural running of The Radiant is a resounding success with our local and statewide community invited to now plan to bring their favourite people to be part of this exciting free to the public event on October 10” Darling said.

Those individuals or groups interested in a slot are invited to submit an Expression of Interest by completing the form to be found on the SA Trots website and lodging it via email to saharness@saharness.org.au or in person at the HRSA office in Gawler no later than 5.00pm on Monday, July 6.

Media enquiries: to saharness@saharness.org.au