The prize of a diamond ring, supported by Coats & Schuck Jewellers and the Invercargill Harness Racing Club, has been a feature of Diamonds Day for several seasons.
Women on course received a coupon each time they placed a bet of $5 or more and the coupons went into a draw to find the recipient of the ring.
This year it was Ms Mitiwai’s name that Invercargill Harness Racing Club president Craig Heyrick pulled from the prize barrel.
Ms Mitiwai was visibly stunned by her win.
“I definitely got my money back!”
To add to her win, she was due to celebrate her birthday the day after the races.
Ms Mitiwai was part of a large crowd that enjoyed the day’s racing which featured some exceptionally close finishes.
Roger That triumphed by the barest of margins in the $100,000 group 1 Diamond Creek/SBSR 2yo Classic while Mystery Creek took victory in the final of the $60,000 Group 2 Alabar Southern Supremacy Stakes and Show Stopper in the final of the $60,000 Group 2 Macca Lodge/Nevele R Stud Southern Oaks. Dreams Are Free won the $40,000 Regent Car Court Southern Cups Final.
- Lindsay Beer
