The Wagga Harness Racing Club is going ahead with the feature on May 24 despite the industry racing behind closed doors.

However due to the financial impact of the coronavirus threat the conditions of the race have been dramatically altered.

The prizemoney has been halved to $15,000 with the race now for up to 90 rated pacers.

However with the regionalisation of racing, Wagga chief executive Graeme White believes the changes provides a boost for Riverina trainers and drivers.

"The race this year is restricted to regions so it will only be for Riverina trained pacers which is a great opportunity for the locals," White said.

The change sets up a couple of big days at Riverina Paceway.

Their city's first group one will be run on Friday May 22 before the cup meeting two days later.

White doesn't believe the close proximity of the two features is an issue.

"The Wagga Cup meeting will be held on a Sunday and will be run two days after the final of the $100,000 group one Regional Championships," he said.

"This race is for horses with a national rating of up to 70.

"The Cup will cater for horses with a national rating up to 90 so it's a higher standard race."

It is the first time in four years the cup will not be a group three feature worth $30,000.

The committee also made a change to other features on the card with an $8000 3YO Classic to replace the Wagga Derby and Wagga Oaks, which were set to be worth $10,000 each.

The $10,000 Rising Stars for two-year-olds won't be run with all other races to be run for the standard base prizemoney.

READ MORE