The sight of riders sitting on top of trotters could be more prevalent in the next few years.
Harness Racing New Zealand approved regulations earlier this month to allow the introduction of Monte racing (trotting saddle races), after rules for this were approved at the 2014 annual conference in August.
Monte trots were re-introduced in Australia two years ago after almost 50 years out of the public's consciousness as a betting proposition.
While the standard in Australia has been variable at best and farcical at worst, saddle trots are a regular fixture in parts of European trotting.
Harness Racing New Zealand racing manager Darrin Williams said a smattering of interest had been received from some trainers after the news was made public last week.
''We've had a couple of inquiries from around the country.''
Any trainer who wants to make a horse available for a Monte race must fill in a Monte gear notification form, which will give HRNZ an idea of how large the Monte pool will be.
The next step is likely to be trials and exhibition races, with field sizes a major factor if the races are going to be included as totalisator events.
''We would expect to have a few trials, then what will happen is there'll be a few exhibition races, and non-totes between the races.''
At this stage, HRNZ will not be amending its computer system to provide for this as a separate classification of racing.
The handicapping and administration of the racing will be handled manually, with the only official link being that Monte races will be deemed official races and considered as penalty-free for handicapping purposes.
This can be amended, in time, if there is ongoing demand for this form of racing.
The increase in beach training has meant more trainers breaking their horses in to saddle so they can ride horses through the surf rather than cause ongoing salt water damage to their training carts.
Williams said there had been early interest from three trainers, including Waikouaiti trainer Denis O'Connell, who put on an exhibition trot with Spin Doctor at the Waikouaiti meeting in March.
''No doubt if they can do it OK, and the rider is proficient at it, the action is quite fluent,'' Williams said.
If the Monte races gain numbers, it might be due to an increase in trotting fields lately.
''One thing we are seeing for certain is the growth of numbers in trotting races,'' Williams said.
''What's happening is there are some trainers out there who think 'I can be more competitive in this gait'.''
