Wellington lawyer John Grant was shocked
to win a VIP trip for two to Dubai, courtesy of Al Basti Equiworld Dubai at the
Wellington Races on Saturday.
Grant had entered the draw on Wellington
Cup Day and had forgotten about it until he received the call to say he was one
of 18 finalists.
Each of the finalists was drawn a horse in
the Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai NZ Oaks (2400m) race and Grant was blown away
when he drew the race favourite, Jennifer Eccles.
“It was rather amazing to get that call
and then to draw Jennifer Eccles,” he said. “I couldn’t believe my luck.”
Drawing Jennifer Eccles was extra special
for Grant whose NZ Racing Hall of Famer grandfather Dr McGregor Grant raced
horses with her trainer Shaune Ritchie’s grandfather Merv and father Frank.
Grant called his wife Sue and told her to
watch the race and then took up a position on the running rail to watch the
race unfold.
Jennifer Eccles did not disappoint,
scoring an emphatic length and a half victory to provide Grant and her syndicate
of 95 owners with a fairytale result.
Grant, who is an avid racing fan and
former Chairman of the New Zealand Judicial Control Authority for Racing, said
he would enjoy the trip with his wife.
“I follow international racing and Dubai
has always been on the radar but the closest I’ve been so far is the transit
lounge at the airport,” he said.
The Grants will spend 10 days in Dubai, staying at the luxury 5-star Meydan Hotel and taking in the season opening race meeting at Meydan Racecourse on New Year’s Eve.
They will be joined on the trip by Michelle and Kyle Cameron, who won the same trip on Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai NZ 2000 Guineas Day at Riccarton in November.
In addition to two Trips for two to the Dubai World Cup and the Best Turned Out prizes at Riccarton Park, Wellington Races and Hawke’s Bay Racing, Al Basti Equiworld sponsor the Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai NZ 2000 Guineas (1600m), Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai NZ Oaks, all New Zealand-based jockeys and the NZTR General Trust Fund which supports injured licence holders.
Al Basti Equiworld is also a major supporter of Greatwood, an organisation that uses ex-racehorses to educate disadvantaged children and young adults with special educational needs.
