LEETON and Young are being explored as different racing venues for the Riverina through the coronavirus crisis.
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Currently all meetings scheduled for the region are being run at Wagga, but Harness Racing NSW confirmed they are exploring options for different venues as restrictions start to lift.
Riverina Paceway has held the last 19 meetings in the region, including three over a five-day period in the past week.
Racing would still be restricted to each region which has raised questions on the viability of Young, who generally attract a larger number of Western District participants.
HRNSW is also preparing to reintroduce crowds to tracks in line with the limitations, restrictions and health requirements for other venues across NSW.
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TIM Doherty made a winning return after 18 months away from the sport.
Combining with mother-in-law Jane Walker, Doherty was at the helm of Our Mach Jack's victory at Riverina Paceway on Friday.
Doherty admitted with a young family he's lost his passion for the sport.
"With a young family and being busy at work I probably lost a bit of interest in the game," Doherty said.
"To me it doesn't look like it is going too well so I'd rather be at work or hanging out with the kids.
"I still break yearlings in and have young ones the whole but just haven't brought any to the races and if I have any to race I just send them away.
"It's really worth me taking days off with what we are racing for."
However the win was certainly nice.
He backed it up with a third on Sunday with Shadow Affair for Bryce Campbell.
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THE Bushfire Appeal received a boost courtesy of Rocky Creed's win in the Regional Championships.
Trainer Chris McPherson selected that as his chosen charity heading into the race with a proportion of the group one prizemoney heading their way, along with a contribution for the Wagga Harness Racing Club.
The McPherson family extended their great run with Rocky Creed's half-brother Stravinksy winning his second race at start three at Riverina Paceway on Tuesday.
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DESTINY BELLE ended a seven-month drought to bring up her 13 career win at Riverina Paceway.
The mare had only been placed once in 14 starts following success at Wagga in October, but off a hot tempo stormed home late to salute at $71 for mother and son combination Lyn and Leon Hancock.
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DEMETER added another Queensland victory to her resume after tasting more success for former Leeton trainer-driver Reece Maguire.
The Leeton-owned mare has now won three times at Albion Park since being transferred from Phil Maguire.
She clocked a mile rate of 1:55.0 to bring up her ninth career win on Friday.
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WAGGA will hold an eight-race card on Friday night.
There were 106 nominations received for the meeting
Among them was Whereyabinboppin but only two nominations were received for the up to 100 race.
The club then races on Tuesday.
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ON The Pace is taking a break after a busy group one campaign but will return in June 11's edition of The Daily Advertiser.
