Blue September already a huge success

With just days remaining, Harness Racing New Zealand's Blue September campaign could crack $50,000, two and a half times more than was raised last year.

There are just three meetings left - Cambridge and Gore on Thursday and then Addington on Friday. The Cambridge meeting will also feature a Blue September fund-raising dinner, featuring former All Black and Blue September ambassador Stu Wilson. To buy tickets click here.

Throughout the month ten drivers (ambassadors), wearing their trademark Blue September pants, have been raising funds for the New Zealand Prostate Cancer Foundation. The money has come from individual sponsors, clubs and HRNZ as well assorted functions and other activities.

Right now the total stands at over $45,000, with hopes it could get as high as $50,000. Now in just its second year, HRNZ's campaign raised $20,000 in 2021.

The last week saw ambassadors Jonny Cox (Ok Boomer, Addington) and Korbyn Newman notch up their first wins of the campaign, with Newman (Sods Law) fittingly winning the very race he sponsored with Ben Hope, the Junior Drivers Trot, at Motukarara on Sunday.

Zachary Butcher has had the most wins this campaign with 11, ahead of Blair Orange (9) and Robbie Close (7).

Close has won the most money though because of his large number of sponsors with $8200, followed by Butcher ($6000) and Orange ($2400). Among Close's wins was the Blue September Prostate Foundation Pace for invited drivers with He's Tough at Motukarara on Sunday.

Off the track nearly $1500 was raised in a novel cross code promotion. Greyhound trainer Dan Roberts raffled off a 25 per cent share in one of his dogs. Tickets were $10 each. Mel Townley-Knight had the winning ticket and will get to pick a name for the dog and also pocket one quarter of all win and place stakes earnings.