Racing: Muscara may give and take

Joe Muscara gifted a lot of money to New Zealand harness racing yesterday - tonight he is hoping to win some of it back.

The United States-based owner has become a huge figure in this country in the last five years, being the primary purchaser of New Zealand standardbreds exported to the United States.

That side of his involvement has slowed in the last year but he has left no doubts about his commitment to harness racing here by agreeing to sponsor the $750,000 Interdominion Pacing Final at Alexandra Park on March 18.

In a deal which was announced yesterday Muscara will sponsor the pacing final, which will carry the name of Mach Three, one of the stallions he stands in New Zealand.

"We are thrilled with the deal and everybody knows what a huge impact Mr Muscara has had on New Zealand harness racing in the last few years," said ATC president Sid Holloway.

Muscara isn't just interested in giving though as he will attempt to start winning back some money when Bella's Boy returns to New Zealand racing tonight.

The now five-year-old won the Breeders Crown and Victoria Derby when trained by Tony Herlihy before being sold to Muscara last year.

He raced with some success in the United States but was sent back to New Zealand to stand at stud before showing studmaster Michael House he still had what it takes to be a racehorse.

House then put him back in work and is his new trainer for a campaign which begins in the feature race at Addington tonight.

Also announced yesterday was the sponsor of the $250,000 Interdominion Trotting Grand Final on March 18, the First Sovereign Trust.

"It is great for us to have such a prominent sponsor of racing come on board for this race and they have shown themselves to be keen to put money back into community events," said Holloway.