Big week ahead for Blue September

Blue September, HRNZ's annual fund-raiser for the New Zealand Prostate Cancer Foundation, has reached the halfway mark, with the total now at more than $24,000.

A total of 12 ambassadors are involved, with money raised every time they win a race during the month, thanks to contributions from HRNZ, clubs and individual sponsors.

The country's leading driver Blair Orange has the most wins with 12 so far, including a double at Oamaru yesterday with Rubira in the Diamond Creek Farms Oamaru Juvenile Stakes and Republican Party in the day's feature, the Placemakers Hannon memorial.

He has also raised the most money at $3600, ahead of Matty Williamson (5 wins and $3000) and Robbie Close (3 wins and $2850).

Nathan Williamson also has three wins while Tony Cameron has two and Jonny Cox, Henry Sail , Sam Thornley and Rory McIlwrick have one each. Some of the drivers opted not to wear their "blue pants" over the weekend because of the wintry weather. The total money raised so far through their efforts is $26,385.

This week is shaping up as another big one for the campaign.

The second annual HRNZ Blue September Bingo night will be held at Addington Raceway this Saturday (Sept 21). Doors open at 5pm. The All Blacks - Wallabies test will be on at Spectators from 5.45, with the bingo itself getting underway at its conclusion, around 7.30pm. Tickets cost $25 and to book your spot contact [email protected]

Then on Sunday there's a Blue September double-header at the Banks Peninsula Trotting Club's first spring meeting.

The ambassadors will be sprinting 100 metres down the Motukarara straight in the annual and very popular "Blue Bolt" and there will also be two ambassador-only races on the programme.