by John Pawlak, the U.S. Trotting Association

Columbus, OH — The earthquake that hit Christchurch, New Zealand earlier this week has done little to disrupt the racing and breeding industry in that country to this date, but the Inter Dominion Series may have suffered a setback.

The Addington racetrack surface, which will host the rich pacing and trotting series, sustained “cracks” and “liquefaction” during the quake, according to officials at Harness Racing New Zealand, meaning there will be no racing at the suburban Christchurch facility for at least the next three weeks.

In addition, the Addington stands suffered some superficial damage, but not enough to jeopardize the races. Currently, though, the track’s water mains were damaged; about 80 percent of Christchurch is without water.

Addington CEO Shane Gloury told Harnesslink.com that the track and the Inter Dominion stakeholders will, in the coming days, determine whether the series will go on as scheduled, be delayed for an indeterminate period of time, or be shifted to another South Island venue, such as Ashburton Raceway.

In addition, the headquarters of Harness Racing New Zealand, the sport’s governing body in that country, sustained damage in the quake, and the organization has been forced to operate its computer system from a remote location. To date, it has been able to conduct all its business on behalf of racetracks without missing a beat, according to HRNZ chief executive Edward Rennell.