Racing industry rallies to support the West Coast

The NZ Racing Board, with the support of the three Racing Codes, will donate 5 cents for every off-course tote ticket bought on the seven race meetings being held on the West Coast between 26 December and 15 January to the West Coast community. The donation is part of Racing for the Coast an initiative by leading race caller Tony Lee which aims to deliver a series of great events over the summer holidays that will raise funds for the West Coast community in the wake of the Pike River Mine disaster.

Lee is asking the racing industry to support the West Coast by making the race meetings in Westport, Reefton, Kumara, Hokitika and Greymouth from 26 December bigger and better than ever before. He is inviting owners and trainers from all over the country to race at the meetings, and jockeys to ride there, as well as arranging entertainers and special guests to participate in the events.

John Kenny of Majestic Horse Transport and Australians Graeme and Linda Huddy have agreed to subsidise the transport of horses to the West Coast events, and Dunstan Feed have donated feed for all horses that race at events on the Racing for the Coast circuit.

“The more the racing industry can do to make these events as big as possible, the more it will benefit the West Coast,” says Lee.

“Racing is embedded in the culture of the West Coast and we hope that we can deliver some great events for West Coasters to enjoy, and raise money for them at the same time” says Lee.

As well as donating five cents for every off-course tote ticket placed on the meetings that are part of Racing for the Coast, the TAB has also established a special West Coast Racing Appeal TAB Account for TAB Account customers to donate to. All funds raised through these means will be donated to the Pike River Disaster Relief Trust.**

“We hope that punters will support the Racing for the Coast meetings. If betting is at a similar level to last year, over $50,000 will be raised for the West Coast community,” says NZ Racing Board Chief Executive, Andrew Brown.

“We strongly encourage everyone in the racing industry to get behind the events by sending their horses to race, attending the meetings or any other way they can. The better the racing, the more we will raise for the West Coast.”

ENDS

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