SA brings Southern Cross forward in 2026 calendar shake up

Harness Racing South Australia has released its feature race schedule for the second half of the 2026 season, with several key dates locked in from July through December.

The biggest change to the calendar is the rescheduling of the prestigious Southern Cross Series, which has been brought forward from its traditional December slot to November.

Heats for the rich series for two and three-year-olds will be contested on Saturday, November 7, with the finals to be run a week later on Saturday, November 14.

HRSA said the move was designed to avoid clashes with other major juvenile and classic events, including the Vicbred Series in September, the South Australian Derby and Golden Nursery in October, and the Breeders Crown in December. Sky Racing programming and feedback from participants that the 2025 series was held too late in the season also influenced the decision.

Globe Derby Park will take centre stage on Saturday, October 3, when it hosts the 2026 Australian Drivers Championship.

Three weeks later, on October 24, the spotlight will be on the South Australian Pacing Cup and South Australian Trotters Cup. The meeting will also feature the South Australian Pacing Derby for three-year-olds and the Golden Nursery Final for the two-year-olds.

The final Saturday in November will showcase the South Australian Pacing Oaks for three-year-old fillies along with the South Australian Trotters Derby.

Harness Racing South Australia has advised that all feature race dates remain subject to change, including Sky Racing scheduling requirements.

by Gary Newton for Harnesslink