HRNZ MEDIA RELEASE, NOVEMBER 29, 2012
NZ RACES QUALIFY TO EARN STARTS IN NSW FEATURES
In conjunction with the New South Wales Harness Racing Club (NSWHR), Harness Racing New Zealand is pleased to announce that New Zealand horses will be able to qualify directly for two Australian $200,000 feature races.
LADYSHIP MILE
The Cordina Chickens Ladyship Mile is a Group 1 invitation race for mares that is to be run at Tabcorp Park, Menangle on 3 March 2013. Winners of the following Group 1 New Zealand races will be extended a direct invite by NSWHR to the Ladyship Mile:
- Rosslands Queen Of Hearts, Auckland TC 14 December 2012, $100,000
- PGG Wrightson NZ Breeders Stakes, NZMTC 1 February 2013, $100,000
CHARIOTS OF FIRE
The SEW Eurodrive Chariots of Fire is a Group 1 invitational race for four-year-olds that is also to be staged at Tabcorp Park, Menangle on 3 March 2013. The New Zealand qualification races for this event are the following Group 2 races:
- Jardine Bloodstock 4 & 5YO Futurity, Cambridge-Te Awamutu HRC, 11 January 2013, $50,000
- Pelorus 4 & 5YO Classic, Marlborough HRC, 13 January 2013, $45,000
As the two NZ races are for four and five-year-olds, the first four-year-old home in these qualification races, provided they are placed 1st or 2nd, will receive a direct invitation to start in the Chariots of Fire.
HRNZ is delighted with these arrangements as it gives a further option for horses to qualify domestically for these feature races, while also having the option of travelling to Australia and qualifying through racing in heats over there.
The support and co-operation of NSWHR in agreeing to this is very much appreciated and acknowledged by the New Zealand industry. The financial support of NSWHR has also seen the stake of the two four and five-year-old races increase by $5,000 each.
The programme of racing that NSWHR is scheduling for Sunday 3 March 2013 is outstanding, highlighted by the $750,000 Inter Dominion Final. The New Zealand heat for this is to be run by the Auckland TC on Saturday 16 February 2013.
For further information in relation to these NSW features, please check www.interdominionsydney.com.au.
Courtesy of Edward Rennell, Chief Executive, HRNZ