INVITATION STAKES

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32142, 11 November 1969, Page 6

INVITATION STAKES

Top Jockeys For Te Rapa (N.Z. Press Association) -u AUCKLAND. The Aboriginal jockey, D. Mc- £* r,h /', jcho last month won the A.J.C. Epsom aryl Derby, is one of the first two overseas •« ‘n ‘he Waikato Raxing Club's Invitation Stakes at Te Rapa on February 17. The other is Adelaide's J. Stocker who, like McCarthy, has confirmed an invitation in writing. The Waikato Racing Club president (Mr p. G. Vereoe) said yesterday that verbal acceptance bad been received from J. Johnson, rider of Rain Lover in both bls Melbourne Cup wins, and R. Higgins. Stocker is the main stable rider for the powerful C. Hayes stable, and will be attending the Trentham yearling sales in January with Hayes. Mr Vereoe said yesterday that the Waikato club would pay the air faros and hotel expenses for the visiting riders, but they would be free to ride at any other meetings while in New Zealand. The Invitation Stakes will! be worth not loss than 310,M0. It will be run over 11 furlongs, and will be limited to 12 runners. An approach wilj be made to the Singapore hotelier. Mr R. Goh. the owner of Daryl’s Joy, to see if the U.S. rider, J. Seilers, can take part. The Waikato club is also hopeful of securing a South African rider. Mr Vereoe aald his club had decided that the race .would have to be run mid-week because of the heavy week-end commitments of the Australia;) jockeys. It’ is believed that the leading Sydney rider, G. Moore, haa declined an invitation.