Wairarapa Greyhound Racing Club officials are expecting an influx of visiting greyhounds for their TAB meeting at Solway Showgrounds on Sunday, September 18. Main attraction will be the running of the New Zealand Breeders Stakes which will carry a stake of $10,000, the richest stake ever offered by the Wairarapa club. Participantsin this event must have been whelped in New Zealand and while the actual starting line-up won't be confirmed until early next week it seems certain that Masterton owner-trainer Owen Marron will have a powerful representation. In fact, there is a good chance he will provide at least four of the eight starters and their knowledge of the Solway track will be a huge asset. The country's leading trainer, John McInerney of Homebush in Canterbury, has indicated he will be sending a number of his runners north for the Wairarapa meeting while Ben and Lisa Craik are likely to travel south from Auckland with a big team as well. Current New Zealand Hurdler of the Year Prinze Zidane is expected to be one of the star acts on the supporting card. Raced in partnership by Dave Amundsen of Masterton and his trainer Mike Boyd of Palmerston North, Prince Zidane received his early hurdling education at Solway and has tasted success there in the past. He is now fast approaching the veteran age of five years but, if anything, his form has improved as he has got older. All told there will be 11 races staged at the September 18 meeting with the first race starting at around noon and the last about 5pm. But it isn't only their upcoming TAB meeting which is keeping WGRC officials busy. They are also in the throes or organising the annual Solway Fair, which will be held at Solway Showgrounds on Sunday, October 9. Indications are that that more than 50 stall holders will support this fund raising venture, and it is also hoped to have entertainment from local cultural groups, a teddy bear-'s picnic and decorated bicycles competition for the children and perhaps even a tug-of-war for the older population. Applications for stalls close on September 23.
