The Reefton Jockey Club will ensure the lure of gold continues on the West Coast summer circuit with gold ingots on offer at its annual meeting next Wednesday .
The feature race, the Jim Lalor Memorial Reefton Cup (2000m), will offer a stake of $7000 and is boosted by an addition of three one ounce gold ingots going to the winning connections.
The feature sprint, the $7000 Morris and Watson Handicap (1400m), will have two one ounce gold ingots on offer, plus each graduation race on the card will provide a one ounce ingot as an added attraction.
Another feature of the Reefton meeting is the memorial races named in honour of the late Ray Harris and Jim Lalor.
Both leading South Island trainers were loyal supporters of West Coast racing.
"We named a race each, after Ray and Jim, as a mark of respect to two true blue racing identies and very successful trainers," Reefton club president Ken Gray said.
"They both supported the West Coast racing through and through and over the years had considerable success with their horses here on the Coast.
"Each memorial will have a Royal Dalton fine china horse trophy which will go to the successful owner; something special in memory of two fine gentlemen," he said.
Ray Harris used the Reefton course as a stepping stone for his grand gallopers Brutus and Scotch Mist. Both horses were successful at Reefton in 1980 before going on to win a notable double at Avondale.
Brutus took out the Governor General Cup while Scotch Mist completed the double with success in the Concorde, crediting Harris with one of his biggest training feats.
Jim Lalor had a magnetic attraction with the Reefton Cup, winning it on six occasions, while Lalor also produced his smart sprinter Schwepshire Lad to win the Concorde at Avondale.
- NZPA
Racing: Reefton adds gold as sweeten the pot
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