The Dooza Horse of Steel Invitational to be run at Dubbo’s final meeting for the season on Sunday August 30 is still a wide open affair. Horses have only four meetings left, two at both Parkes & Dubbo, to collect enough points to make the prestigious invitational. A maximum 20 points is still available so there are still105 horses in contention.
The point score is set up to encourage trainers to race at both venues. Winners receive five points, second four, third three with all unplaced starters receiving two points. The final is open to the ten highest point scorers with invitations issued to others in order of points earned should any eligible horse not participate. The final carries a Dooza Racing Gig valued at over $7000 as a trophy to the winning trainer.
Andy Cassell’s consistent gelding Poppy Cee, owned by Parkes Club President Geoff Cole, heads the list on 47 points. Two points behind is the Jason Gaffney trained Hayes and Kydd with Saint Dal Santo from the Nathan Hurst stable a further point away in third position. So tight is the competition that even at this stage of the season the three front runners are not assured of a start. Twelve horses are within one win of the tenth placed horse.
It is interesting to note that eight of the top ten horses have recorded 15 wins between them at Dubbo and Parkes while the other two have not won a race at either track this season. None of the top 20 horses have recorded a win in its last three starts on either track.
With the competition geared to reward horses campaigning at both tracks, those that continue to support both clubs will at least give themselves a chance to qualify. Trainers wanting to know where their horses currently stand in the competition can contact either Club secretary for an update.
Harness Racing NSW (HRNSW) is the controlling body for harness racing in New South Wales with responsibility for commercial and regulatory management of the industry including 31 racing clubs across the State. HRNSW is headed by an industry-appointed Board of Directors and is independent of Government.
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To arrange an interview or for further information please contact:
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Name:
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Greg Hayes
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Position:
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Media Manager
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Phone:
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(02) 9722 6600
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Email:
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ghayes@hrnsw.com.au
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