Local hero to honour mum

Crowd favourite Fritzy Boy, who is expected to line up in the Masterton Cup at Tauherenikau on Saturday, will be racing for more than stake money - he will be racing for mum.

The star gelding's dam Fritzy Girl died soon after foaling at owner John Jury's Greytown farm when she haemorrhaged badly and could not be saved.

It was a double blow for her owner when her filly foal also died.

Mr Jury said the filly was sired by Brilliance which made her a full sister to Fritzy Boy, winner of over $840,000 in stakes for Jury and his trainer and part-owner Alby MacGregor.

Fritzy Girl, who was 20, was a former racemare who won twice - at Tauherenikau - and filled several minor placings, but it was as a broodmare that she excelled.

Not only did she leave Fritzy Boy, a Group 1 winner, but also Hoover Boy and Jack's Boy, who were both winners.

Fritzy Girl was not a big mare, standing only 15.2 hands but foaled 10 times.

Eight foals were colts and the only filly - apart from the lost filly - was Miss Sara who is now herself a broodmare.

The inclusion of Fritzy Boy in the Masterton Cup field would greatly enhance spectator interest in a race which has traditionally been kind to locally-trained runners.

Elusive Tracy won it last year for Opaki trainer Aaron Bidlake and owner Barry Southey and Fritzy Boy won the previous year.

Masterton Racing Club has planned a special fun day for Saturday and aside from the racing has organised a full day of entertainment.

For the kids there will be a visit from Santa and the Christmas theme will extend to the jockey's room with the jockey of a "Santa's pick" in each race wearing a red Santa's hat.

Christmas cracker betting slips will be on-course, doubling as an entry form to put punters into a draw to win a $250 Mitre 10 voucher on the day.

Voucher winners across meetings taking part in the promotion then go into a national draw to win a Pacific Island holiday.