Invercargill Cup Day a huge success

Invercargill Cup Day held on Saturday (Dec. 17) has been rated as very successful by harness racing club officials.

Canterbury visitor Krug (Bettor’s Delight) won the first ever Group One race in Southland when he impressively took out the $100,000 Ascot Park Hotel Invercargill Cup and co-trainer Cran Dalgety said it was the best reception any of his horses have received.

“The whole crowd was excited pre and post event. I haven’t seen anything like it, and it was a hell of a buzz,” he said after the race.

The meeting attracted the largest crowd seen at a harness meeting at Ascot Park in some time.

“It was a great day with a fantastic walk up crowd joining a good number of tent bookings and sold out hospitality areas,” Promotions Manager Lindsay Beer said.

In the main trotting race of the day, local trotter Wai Key Wee (The Pres) trained by Alister Black took out the inaugural $30,000 Group Three David Moss Stakes. 

From a betting perspective the total turnover for the ten race card was $957,868 with the on course turnover reaching $67,792.

“These figures are very good and it’s worth noting that on course there was another $18,000.00 of inter track bets placed. So bets placed on-course on all meetings totalled $85,000.00.” 

For complete race results, click here.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink