It wasn't feasible for the Garrards Ironhorse Gig Series, which awards points all season for trainers at both Parkes and Dubbo, essentially rewarding trainers for continuing to send their runners to the clubs, to be conducted as normal.

The final was due to be run on August 27, but with Dubbo trainers stuck in lockdown and all meetings transferred to Bathurst, it wasn't fair to see the final transferred to Bathurst as well, given so many of the nominated runners weren't able to compete.

In a statement released jointly by Parkes' meeting coordinator Tony Dumesny and Dubbo's racing coordinator Craig Dumesny, it was confirmed that they would need to change how the series was conducted.

"It was agreed that a change in conditions to the Garrards Ironhorse Gig Series was needed, due to the most recent COVID-19 outbreak which, in particular, has affected the Dubbo region and forced the temporary cessation of racing at both Dubbo and Parkes, with meetings moved to Bathurst," read the statement.

"Additionally, up until August 27, participants who reside in Dubbo were placed in a lockdown situation which meant they could not travel to Bathurst to race.

"Therefore both Parkes and Dubbo boards considered all options to decide the series outcome, and it was deemed that it would be unfair to transfer the race to Bathurst when some of the horses in contention are trained in Dubbo and unable to compete."

The clubs announced they would be using a unique method to determine the winner of the series.

"Following a unanimous decision, we advise that the Garrards Ironhorse Series Gig will be awarded through a draw that will be performed by the Integrity Unit of Harness Racing NSW (HRNSW)," the statement said.

"The series which commenced on September 1, 2020, was to conclude with the running of a Final at Dubbo on August 27, 2021, with the top pointscorers invitied to compete with a field of 10 - made up from those horses whose trainers chose to accept - in descending order.

"Therefore it was considered feasible that if a horse had accumulated at least 30 points they may have made the final, even if they had not finished in the top 10.

"Once the independent draw by the HRNSW Integrity Unit is conducted and known, to make the announcement of the winner more interesting, a phantom race call will be done, and then posted on the Parkes and Dubbo Facebook," said the statement.

Jacobs Thunder, who is trained in Dubbo by Michael Pay, was on top of the standings before the series was halted, with three of the gelding's four career wins coming in Parkes, where he scored some dominant victories.

In the phantom race call by the excitable Michael Dumesny, it was the Graham Betts-trained Dinosaurus Rex who came out on top ahead of Greg Rue's Best Beau and Baby Bee Mine, who is trained by Nathan Turnbull.

Betts' veteran gelding last won on June 30 in Bathurst, the 11^th career win in a phenomenal 145 career starts.

Never far away from the placings at a good each-way price, the gelding recorded just the one win across the two clubs in the season, but numerous minor placings indicate that with Betts in the gig he was always a chance.

The Dubbo and Parkes clubs were keen to thank the trainers for their support during the 2020/21 racing season, as their statement said.

"We would like to thank trainers for the wonderful support you give to each of our clubs, keeping in mind the intent of the Garrards Ironhorse Gig Series is to reward those trainers who regularly support harness racing in our part of the state."

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