The New South Wales Harness Club has stated that it has reluctantly had to withdraw from conducting the inaugural edition of the World Cup of Harness Racing, which was scheduled to take place at Menangle Park in 2009.
"The Club was honoured when approached by Kevin Seymour to be the inaugural host of the World Cup however with the current world financial crisis the Club has been left with no alternative other than to pass on the opportunity," NSWHRC chief executive John Dumesny was quoted as saying in an article on harness.org.au.
Dumesny stated that it was important to convey the news as soon as possible in order to allow connections contemplating World Cup invitations to scuttle the option from '09 plans.
"These are unprecedented financial times and I can completely understand that the directors of the NSWHRC have a responsibility to act prudently and responsibly as custodians of the industry's finances," Seymour, the visionary for the World Cup, was quoted as saying.
(With files from harness.org.au)