AMBITIOUS DUNEDIN CUP PROGRAMME

Press, Volume C, Issue 29674, 18 November 1961, Page 4

AMBITIOUS DUNEDIN CUP PROGRAMME

"The Press" Special Service

DUNEDIN. Nov. 17. The phenomenal run of success night trotting has enjoyed since it was introduced to Dunedin 12 months ago has encouraged the Fcrbury Park Trotting Club to embark on the most ambitious programme for the Dunedin Cup meeting in festival week since its centennial meeting in 1948. Stakes for the three-night meeting, which will open on January 27, total £20,000. £4OOO more than for the corresponding meeting last year. The Dunedin Festival Cup. with stakes totalling £BlOO and a trophy valued at £lOO. will be divided into four qualifying heats, a Grand Final and a consolation race. From the list of cup entries received 28 horses will be selected by the committee. They will be divided into two heats for the mile and five furlong events on the first night. The stakes for each race is £l2OO and the class is 3min 34eec. On the second night. February 1, the heats will be run over a mile and three furlongs (class 3min Isec and 2min 44sec for one mile and a quarter). The stake for each heat will be £lOOO

Points will be allocated 4, 3,2, and 1. In addition three points will be awarded to the horse placed first, second, third or fourth running fastest time in each heat. Grand Final The Grand Final will be held on the third night, February 3. It carries a stake of £2500 and a trophy valued at £lOO. The field will comprise horses with the most points in the qualifying heats. The other 14 pacers will contest the Consolation Race of £l2OO. These two races will be held over two miles. The principal event for trotters will be the Mornington Handicap, of £lOOO, on the last night of the meeting. It will be run over a distance of one mile and five furlongs (class 3min 43sec). Horses assessed at 3min 44sec are eligible and subject to condi, tions governing invitation races.

On the last night of the meeting two races will be named after the past and present presidents of the New Zealand Trotting Conference. Messrs C. S. Thomas and W. H. Roche.

The meeting promises to be one of the most successful staged by the club. The executive meeting of the New Zealand Trotting Conference will be held in Dunedin on February 2.