FOR the past eight years Wellington KFC franchisee Rajan Changela has waited for an opportunity to sponsor a major race at a State Wide Sheds Wellington Boot racing carnival.
This year the opportunity arose and Mr Changela said he was keen to back the running of the popular 900 metre Dash for fillies, mares and gelding three years and older.
“KFC is a permanent fixture in Wellington and so is the Wellington Boot carnival, so I’ve been keen to support the race club and taken the opportunity now it’s arrived,” Mr Changela said.
Renamed the KFC Kentucky Dash, the sprint offers $35,000 in prizemoney and is conducted mid-way through the eight-race card this year during the Wellington Boot on Sunday, April 7.
Club president, Ian Darney said the committee welcomed KFC as a sponsor of one of the classic races in the two-day racing fixture.
Both Darney and Blackhall admit they are KFC meal fanatics.
A Wellington district painter, Mr Darney said when in town and he and his co-workers look at their smoko sandwiches, they comment, “not again”, and head to the local KFC store for lunch.
Mr Blackhall said his One Stop Automotive mechanical repair shop is opposite KFC, so he is an avid customer.
So the sponsorship looks to be a good partnership for all involved.
This year the State Wide Sheds Wellington Boot Carnival with total race prizewinning of $465,000 will be held on Saturday and Sunday April 6 and 7.
Feature race of 1100m for two-year-olds offers prizemoney of $150,000 while the 1700m Ian Giffin Wellington Cup offers $100,000.
