Another trans-Tasman battle is looming in the second instalment of the Dorothy Cutts Invitational, sponsored by N40 Racing as part of Cambridge Raceway's Night of Champions on Friday, April 4.
The race celebrates Dorothy Cutts' history-making win with Kenworthy at Cambridge in 1979. It marked the first time a female driver had won a full totalisator race in New Zealand.
Four of the 12 drivers who took part last year will return in 2025. They are the North Island-based trio of Nicky Chilcott, Crystal Hackett, Emily Johnson and Brittany Graham who is an Australian who now lives in Christchurch after recently taking up a job as a presenter with Trackside.
The other Australian drivers confirmed so far are Kate Gath and Trista Dixon. Both return to New Zealand after both driving here during IRT New Zealand Cup week last year.
Gath, who has had an incredible 58 Group 1 victories, also recently drove Don't Stop Dreaming to victory twice in Australia.
The race has a new sponsor this year in high profile Australian owner Joshua Davine's N40 Racing. He also sponsored Carter Dalgety in February's Ultimate drivers Championship and owns a slot along with Boys Get Paid (BGP) in the The Race by betcha. They will be represented by Inter Dominion and Miracle Mile champion Don Hugo in $1 million feature.
Rounding out the Kiwi contingent for the Invitational will be Kimberly Butt, Olivia Thornley, Kerryn Tomlinson, Riley Harrison and Monika Ranger.
Last year's first ever running of the Invitational was taken out by Natalie Rasmussen and the Tony Herlihy-trained Skipper. - HRNZ
What: The $25,000 N40 Racing Dorothy Cutts Invitational race (for female drivers)
When: Cambridge Raceway's Night of Champions, Friday, April 4
Stake: $25,000
Line-up: One still to be confirmed
Australia:
Brittany Graham
Kate Gath
Trista Dixon
New Zealand:
Kimberly Butt
Olivia Thornley
Kerryn Tomlinson
Riley Harrison
Crystal Hackett
Nicky Chilcott
Monika Ranger
Emily Johnson
