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Te Awamutu at Waipa – Saturday 20 January
Providing a great picnic option for those wanting to jump in the car for a trip from the busy centres nearby, this meeting will be held on the grass surface at Waipa Racecourse in Te Awamutu. 11 races are carded with the first at 11.40am.
After almost 30 years away from the Waipa course, harness racing returned to the venue in 2006 and provides race goers with picturesque settings in which to enjoy their day out.
The feature race is the Te Awamutu Grass Cup and for the family there will be a bouncy castle and face painting. Kidz Kartz will also be present on the day with exhibition races and entry to the course is free.
Marlborough Friday 19 and Sunday 21 January
This year the two day meeting will be held on the grass track, featuring the Marlborough Prelude and Summer Cup.
As usual there will be plenty of family entertainment and corporate hospitality available, with the grass track bringing the action even closer.
Petrina Shutkowski was appointed as club Chairperson, the first female in the club’s history, just eight weeks ago and is looking forward to her new position.
She noted that with the grass track mobile races starting at the 1850m point, it will bring the racing action even closer to the crowd. And the club and track caretaker had been working hard at keeping the grass track in good condition for the two day meeting.
With the coastal road now open again between Christchurch and Picton it will give racegoers and trainers a new outlook as they travel to the meeting. “The Majestic horse transport team drove the road the other day and noted that it is only 30 minutes more than pre-earthquake. So it will be a great scenic trip for anyone who is coming to the meeting,” said Shutkowski.
With a carry forward from last Sunday’s pool of $21,000 this Sunday’s Marlborough meeting also will host a $50,000 Pick Six.
Southern Harness Update – Wyndham and Invercargill
Two weekday meetings feature in the south this week preceding Cup Day at Invercargill on Saturday 27 January.
First up the Wyndham Harness Racing Club host a ten race programme this week on Thursday afternoon (18 January). The first race is scheduled for 2.52 pm with the last timed for 7.59pm.
The twilight programme means that it is still ideal to pop out to Young Quinn Raceway after work to catch the last few races.
Next Monday, 22 January, the Invercargill Club have an eight race card commencing at 12.19pm with the last timed for 4.27pm. Admission to both these meetings is free.
Tent sites and corporate hospitality is still available at the Invercargill Club’s Cup Day on Saturday 27 January. The day features the Ascot Park Invercargill Cup and the Arden Lodge Robin Dundee Crown.
Ladies Fashion In The Field offers a top prize of seven nights accommodation at the Peninsular Beachfront Resort at Mooloolaba with a $1000 travel voucher from Beach Road Holiday Camp to help you get there while old favourite The Bets In The Bag is back.
The children’s entertainment is all free as is admission!
Alexandra Park – Friday 9 February
Celebrate the year of the Dog with us on Chinese New Year 2018!
Enjoy a night of Harness Racing action from the Top of the Park, which will be beautifully themed and decorated, complete with a delicious all you can eat Chinese buffet dinner and traditional entertainment.
Pakages start from just $60 per person for buffet only. This is sure to be a fantastic evening, so get your colleagues, family or friends together and come along. For more information call 09 630 5660 or book online at www.alexandra park.co.nz or email dining@alexandrapark.nz
Alexandra Park – Friday 2 March
A glamorous evening the Park. Come one come all to enter MitoQ Best Dressed at the Oaks – an night of fabulous fashion, Harness Racing action, stunning prizes to be won and VIP judges, including New Zealand’s very own style icon Colin Mathura Jeffree.
Best Dressed at the Oaks 2018 categories: Best dressed woman, best dressed man, best headwear, best dressed at the Oaks (overall winner).
Competition entry is free, and with fantastic prizes up for grabs you should definitely come along and put your best foot forward. However please note you must be over 18 to enter!
For more information call 09 630 5660 or book online at www.alexandra park.co.nz or email dining@alexandrapark.nz
Ben Waters To Play At Addington Raceway – 15 February
We are excited to announce Ben Waters, who has played alongside The Rolling Stones, Chuck Berry, and Jerry Lee Lewis, will be performing at Addington at 6pm on Thursday 15 February 2018.
The list of accolades Ben has received are impressive. Mick Jagger has quoted Ben as being “F…ing Brilliant”. Jools Holland, the most popular pianist and bandleader in the UK, has described Ben as “being one of the best pianists of all time”.
We are extremely fortunate that Ben Waters is also bringing his incredibly talented friends; Derek Nash, who has played with Eric Clapton, Amy Winehouse, Sir Paul McCartney, Annie Lennox, Tom Jones and is UK’s best saxophonist, Mike Story, Ben’s favourite bass player and H KAA, a drumming marvel to Addington.
Join us for this unforgettable evening for only $89 per person. Your ticket includes a light buffet dinner and $25 from each ticket will be donated to The Champion Centre charity – a centre that is building futures for children with special needs.
A cash bar will be available on the night.
Please visit the following link to view an example of Ben’s brilliance: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R5P0HxGJc-g
To learn more about The Champion Centre; please visit: http://www.championcentre.org.nz/
To purchase tickets, visit: http://www.addington.co.nz/ticket/ben-waters-and-friends/
Kapiti Coast Harness Racing Club – 2nd and 4th February
The Kapiti Coast Harness Racing Club holds its annual two day race meeting at the Otaki Race course on Friday 2nd February and Sunday 4th February 2018.
The only harness racing to take place in the Wellington region annually. North Island grass track racing at its very best on a perfect sole of grass.
Stakes on offer are the best in the North Island on the grass track circuit. Minimum of $9,000 per race each day, with the HRNZ non winners’ $1,500 incentive added to the winners’ stake, thus non winners racing for $10,500. The Cups each day have a stake of $12,000.
The feature on Friday February 2nd is the recently reintroduced Wellington Trotting Cup, mobile 2200 metres. A time honoured event once raced by open class pacers at Hutt Park.
The Taranaki Kidz Kartz will be in attendance both days with some very competitive races between these young people, the future of our industry. Patrons are encouraged to be on course Friday to participate in the All-Up Place Competition with a $500 prize up for grabs, for five place selections in a row with a $20 entry (all entries placed on the tote, and all successful keep their winnings).
The feature race on the Sunday Inter Island Summer Festival Race day, February 4th, is the $12,000 Otaki Cup run over 3000 metres from a stand.
Taranaki Kidz Kartz will be in attendance again with free sulky rides and plenty of free activities for the children , including bouncy castles, face painting , fun run events, treasure hunts, pony rides and much more. Oncourse entertainment will include live music and ‘Flash Dancing’ displays, and in the Public Car Park a Farmers Market with a huge array of produce on offer. Join in the popular Punters Club and enjoy the success of recent years by the guest selector.
Two days not to be missed on the Kapiti Coast. Outstanding stakes, very competitive racing on a perfect grass track surface.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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