New race added to Invercargill Cup day

30 November 2023 , News

The Canada Stakes for three-year-old fillies is a new addition to Invercargill Cup Day on Friday 22nd December at Ascot Park.

The Invercargill Harness Racing Club is delighted to host this $25,000 race alongside the $50,000 Group 3 Brendan Franks Farrier David Moss Stakes for trotters and the $110,000 Group 1 Ascot Park Hotel Invercargill Cup.

The inception of the Canada Stakes is the brainchild of Southern Harness Racing General Manager, Jason Broad, who has named the race in honour of his daughter Canada, who is fighting terminal cancer.

“Canada will be on course and is looking forward to presenting the winning connections with a trophy, flower garland and dress rug," says Jason Broad.

"This race will be an annual event and the Club and Southern Harness urge trainers to support it and other feature races on the day, it’s a tough journey for us as a family at the moment and this is something both Canada and I were keen to do.

"I would like to acknowledge Harness Racing NZ, the Invercargill HRC and Southern Harness for making it happen, also Blair Orange for canvassing trainers to make them aware of this new race.”

Last year’s Cup day saw the inaugural running of the first Group 1 event ever held in the Southern region. Krug, trained by Cran and Chrissie Dalgety and driven by Carter Dalgety, was an impressive winner of the Cup and it is hoped that he will be attending again this year to defend his title.

The Club is hoping to replicate and grow the record crowd and atmosphere from last year. There will $375,000 worth of stakes on offer on the day.

To see more about the day's programme click here

The club has limited hospitality options still available. For any queries about that, or any other matter, please contact Promotions/Sponsorship Officer, Lindsay Beer on 021 351 499, Southern Harness Racing (03) 217-9117 or Invercargill Harness Racing Club President, Craig Heyrick, 027 633 1777.

Follow the Invercargill Harness Racing Club on Facebook for full build up and on the day coverage.