Plans for invitation race in Japan

Press, 7 October 1980, Page 44

Plans for invitation race in Japan

PA Wellington Japanese racing managers were in Wellington yesterday to -discuss proposals for a rich/- invitation race planned for November next year, - The- race will be run in Tokyo over 2400 m and will be for three-year-olds and older) . It is expected the race will be set weights with three-year-old fillies carrying 53kg, three-year-old colts and geldings 55kg and four-year-olds and upwards 57

kg. The stake has not been: announced but the Japanese racing managers, said that there will be prize money for horses that finish in the first nine places. In addition owners, trainers and jockeys connected with each selected horse will have all expenses paid, including travel for both horse] and connections. In addition a groom companying each horse wiili have his or her expenses: paid by the Japan Racing] Association. It is expected that 14 to 16? race and half of these i will be from Japan. The Japan Racing Associations race planning manager, Mr Yoshitaka Kitahara, said horses from Europe will not be selected for the first running of the wee buj !t wa will be willing to is* 1

vite them in the following yeais.” It has been decided to invite horses from countries which are members of th.e Asian Racing Conference as well as the United State>, Canada, Brazil and Argentina. Of the Asian Racing Conference members it has been decided New Zealand, Australia, India and Turkey will receive invitations. Other countries which are members of the conference, such as the Philippines, have been discounted because thoroughbreds are not bred there. Mr Kitahara said the biggest problems are over? coming quarantine regulations and also arranging suitable 'air transport. He said conditions and . stall: money for the race will be announced in January. %?