Southland club plans international race for women riders

Press, 16 August 1988, Page 33

Southland club plans international race for women riders

PA Invercargill The Southland Racing Club is to stage an international invitation women riders’ race at its November meeting at Ascot Park, Invercargill.

Invitations have been issued to female jockeys in Australia, Malaysia and throughout New Zealand to ride in the event, which will be run on Saturday, November 19. To be known as the International Ladies’ Invitation, it will be a class three event over 1400 metres, and carry a stake of $lO,OOO. "The Southland Racing Club is confident that the promotion will generate widespread interest and have a beneficial spin-off

for the industry in the south,” Tom Hogan, president of the Southland Racing Club, said this week.

The concept was the brainchild of the wives of committee members, and a team headed by Lorraine McKenzie, of Seaward Downs, a part-owner of Star Rapier, is responsible for putting the festival together. Central to the pre-race build up will be a fashion parade and champagne breakfast at the Ascot Park Motor Hotel with fashion contests on race day.

“Tickets to each of the functions will include admission to the races,” said Mrs McKenzie, “and the

visiting jockeys will be in attendance at each.”

“The parade will target all age groups and ‘Fashion in the Field’ contests on the day will be divided into three sections.” Starters in the international women riders’ race will be allocated weights according to the number of wins at nomination time. Winners of three races will have 55kg, two wins 53.5 kg, one win 52kg, maidens 51kg, with the proviso that winners after nomination will be penalised I.skg for each flat race won. Riders will be allocated horses by a ballot held after the taking of acceptances.