The Harden and District Picnic Race committee put in a proposal changing the date of the races, which are normally held in November, to October 23.

At a recent committee meeting the date change was voted on and passed by members to make the historical change.

Currently the date is awaiting confirmation from Racing NSW but the change has been included in proposed racing calendar for the next six months.

Harden and District Picnic Race committee president Ashley Hall has said the change of date will be a great step forward for the Harden races allowing more rural residents to attend.

“Most farmers are harvesting in November or don’t want to leave their properties due to the risk of a fire,” he said.

“Also a lot of our sponsors are rural and we want to get the rural community involved in the day plus the weather will be cooler than what it normally is in November.

“Also the track will be softer, greener and in better condition hopefully encouraging a few more trainers to nominate runners.”

A big bonus with holding the races on October 23 will be that it is the same day the Cox Plate is run on.

“Having it on Cox Plate day will hopefully mean we can attract more punters to the track,” he said.

The change of date for Harden only occurred by chance after Young Race Club moved their professional race meet to earlier in the year.

Harden races will fall a fortnight after Young Picnics which is to be held on October 9 and the Harden committee is hoping local people will be happy with the change.

“We are trying to get the picnics back to being a great day out for the whole family,” Ashley said.

According to Racing NSW it is hoped that by early next week confirmation will be received on whether the change has accepted.