Invitational Drivers race set for Ashburton during Cup week

Ashburton will take on an international harness racing feel at its November meeting.

The “Emerging Talent” meeting to be held on the Thursday of IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup week (November 13) will feature a $20,000 Drivers Invitational race. It will be for 4YO Mares (R35-44) over 1700 metres. It will have a maximum field of 12 (and one ballot).

Already dual New Zealand Cup-winning driver Cam Hart has signalled he’ll be there. It comes just two days after the New Zealand Cup where he is aiming for a record-equalling third consecutive New Zealand Cup with Swayzee.

The 26-year-old has been in stellar form across the Tasman including a personal best six wins at Menangle (Sydney)  last Saturday night.

The race could also feature other global stars who will be here for the World Driving Championship that finishes on Cup day. The WDC will feature 10 of the world’s best drivers, including our very own Blair Orange.

Invitations for the race will be issued closer to the event once it becomes apparent who is available and keen to take part.

“We are always keen to innovate and improve our  product and this will add value to what is already a very popular meeting,” says Ashburton Trotting Club President Peter Larkin.

The race will be a key part of Ashburton’s second ever “Emerging Talent” meeting during Cup week. The club has traditionally had a Cup week meeting though this one is different with a significant increase in stakes and a renewed focus on attracting the best lower grade horses to the meeting.

Last year the meeting featured 14 races, with minimum stakes of $17,000 and was hailed as a huge success with turnover of $1.6m on the day.

The meeting is part of a huge double-header for the Ashburton club. On December it will host the first ever Harness 5000 where there will be 12 $60,000 finals.

From Harness Racing New Zealand