Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, significant changes have been forced upon the Mount Gambier Harness Racing Club for its forthcoming season.

Normally, harness racing commences later in the year in November, but this year the action starts at the Greenwald Paceway next Tuesday night.

The closure of state border with Victoria left a huge impact on the chances of Mount Gambier staging a meeting, so the Blue Lake city and Port Pirie will co-share meetings up on a fort- nightly basis.

“We had trials last Sunday and we have done the sums in regards to horse numbers and drivers and we are pretty sure we will have enough to start the season next Tuesday night,” Mount Gambier Harness Racing secretary Maxine Milich said.

“We will have a minimum of three races with a maximum of four and Port Pirie will have a similar arrangement.”

Free entry will be available for the public at both entrances, while local bookmaker Darren Guthridge will provide a betting service.

The remaining Mount Gambier meetings will take place on Tuesday nights October 27, November 10 and 24, plus December 8 and 22.

Meanwhile, the Penola Racing Club hopes for better luck to start its season this Sunday with seven races scheduled.

The September meeting for the Penola club last month was transferred to Naracoorte due to the state of the track because of heavy rain.