Flying start to Blue September

Harness Racing New Zealand's Blue September campaign has got off to a roaring start with nearly $3000 raised at Auckland last night.

For the next four weeks ten drivers will wear the Blue September pants and every time they win they will raise money for the New Zealand Prostate Cancer Foundation.

And two of the campaign's ambassadors have helped it get off to a flying start.

Zachary Butcher had four wins last night with Advance Party, Montana D J, Old Town Road and Merlin, and Todd Mitchell also chimed in with Aflyin Spur.

Butcher's sponsors per win are $100 O'Meara Racing, $50 Lincoln Farms, $100 Breckon Farms and $100 the Auckland Trotting Club Race night Stewards, while Mitchell's are $50 Gary Williams, $100 The Box Seat, $50 Sheryl Wigg, $100 the ATC Race night Stewards, and $100 Cambridge Equine Hospital.

That meant Butcher raised $1400 for the night and Mitchell $400, plus $100 contributions for each win by the Auckland Trotting Club and HRNZ.

Crystal Hackett also saw another $100 added to the kitty as she was wearing blue when Major Perry was one of four winners on the night for trainers Barry Purdon and Scott Phelan. That was donated by the Auckland Trotting Club.

The grand total raised on night one of the campaign was $2900.

The ten drivers (ambassadors) for Blue September are :

Blair Orange

Brent Barclay

Jonny Cox

Korbyn Newman

Mark Hurrell

Matthew Williamson

Robbie Close

Todd Mitchell

Zachary Butcher

Zev Meredith