Invercargill pulling out the stops

By Jonny Turner

The Invercargill Harness Racing Club is on a mission to make Invercargill Cup Day on January 29 a remarkable day of harness racing.

Already one of the best dates on the southern harness racing calendar, president Barry McCulloch and his committee have resolved to give the 2022 edition of the feature day a big boost.

The club has dug into its coffers and boosted prizemoney across the board.

The theory behind it is simple, tempt the best horses, trainers and drivers to come and the best possible card of racing will take care of itself.

“We wanted to put on the best show we can, so we have injected some more prizemoney into the meeting in the hope of drawing the best possible horses,” McCulloch said.

“We want to make this the best meeting we possibly can.”

“The Invercargill Cup has attracted some great fields over the years and it has been a great race day, hopefully we can put on another good show for everyone again this year.”

Invercargill Cup Day will carry a minimum stake of $11,000.

Rated trotting events will carry stakes of between $11-$13,000, with stakes of $11-$12-$13,000 put up for rated pacing races.

Three-year-olds from across the South Island will get a royal chance to qualify for the Southern Supremacy Stakes Series, with a heat to be run for a $15,000 stake.

Four-year-old and older mares will do battle in the Robin Dundee Crown for a stake of $12,000.

The feature event of the day, the Group 3 Invercargill Cup of 2022 is set down to be run for a $30,000 stake.

The race is expected to host a stellar field with reigning winner Pembrook Playboy a possibility of defending his 2021 title as he comes backs from a minor injury.

As well as hosting a brilliant card of racing, the Invercargill club has hosted plenty of on-course entertainment over the years on Invercargill Cup Day.

That is set to continue in 2022.

“The Covid situation has made it tricky recently, so with things holding together and people back at the races we want to make it the best day we can,” McCulloch said.

“We have plenty of entertainment and chances for people to win prizes on course.”

“Hopefully we get a great crowd and they enjoy a great day out at the races.”

Among the on-course competitions will be a Fiordland travel package to the value of $500 to be won, thanks to the support of the Beach Road Holiday Park of Invercargill.

The club’s ‘Bets In The Bag’ gives patrons five chances to win a betting voucher up to the value of $200 to use on the day.

Racegoers interested in discussing on-course hospitality or organising a private function area by calling Lindsay Beer on 021 351 499.