With the holiday racing circuits fast approaching, here is a brief summation of events and news from around some of the tote and non-tote meetings. Further information on each event can be found by following the relevant links.
For more information regarding other meetings being held around New Zealand, please visit https://infohorse.hrnz.co.nz/datahr/programmes/programm.htm, and for more information on Interislander Summer Festival meetings visit www.theraces.co.nz
Ashburton TC – Saturday 24 December
This year in a break from tradition, the Ashburton Trotting club will hold its Christmas meeting on Sunday 24 December.
Promoted as a Family Fun Day at the races, there will be plenty of activities for the kids, along with live music and a visit from Father Christmas.
Although admission is free, there will be an emphasis on supporting the local branch of the NZ Cancer Society with patrons asked to give a gold coin donation at the gate. The Pakeke Lions will also be running a BBQ on the day with proceeds also going to the Cancer Society.
A horse from each race will be selected (driver wearing a yellow cap) and if a winner, $100 will be donated by the Trotting Club to the Cancer Society.
First race starts at 1.02pm with the main race being the Robbie’s Bar and Bistro Ashburton Cup.
Interislander Summer Festival Westport TC – Tuesday 26 December and Thursday 28 December
The annual Westport Trotting Club two day meeting will include some strong local chances.
Club President, Dan Moloney, has provided an intriguing insight into the local contingent and also highlights an emotional campaign for the connections of Benhope Rulz. The full article can be read here.
Hawea Equalisator Meeting – Thursday 28 December
A unique equalisator meeting, to be held on Thursday 28 December, the first event kicks off at 10am. This is a great family day out with lots of activities. For full information and race schedules click here.
Interisland Summer Festival Banks Peninsula TC – Friday 29 December
Just 20 minutes from the city of Christchurch, the Banks Peninsula Trotting Club’s Christmas meeting historically is a huge day for the club. The features include the Motukarara Xmas Cup and the BPTC & Williams Family Grass Track Championship.
Oncourse entertainment as always will be on offer, with live music, fashion events, punters club, and kids events including the Kids Go Racing area, big screen and an oncourse MC.
Interislander Summer Festival Reefton TC – Saturday 30 December
This is the final meeting of the Christmas West Coast circuit, with the feature race being the Reefton Cup.
It is also the final chance for horses, trainers and drivers to earn points towards the 2017 Yaldhurst Hotel West Coast Bonus.
Central Otago TC, Omakau – Tuesday 2 January
Club President Graham Sinnamon and his team have had a busy time preparing for the huge summer meeting on January 2nd.
The meeting features the same programme as last year, including the Group 3 $30,000 Central Otago Trotting Cup, however the Free-For-All trot has had a stake increase to $12,000. An amateur driver race and penalty free junior
“We are aiming to really target the oncourse crowd and make this more of an event than a race meeting”, Sinnamon said. “There will be a Big Screen production oncourse, a draw for spot prizes for anyone who has a Ford vehicle parked in our carpark thanks to Dunedin City Ford, and a strong Highlander and All Black presence also for anyone who wants an autograph or photo.”
For more information visit the Central Otago Trotting Club’s page on Facebook.
Wanganui TC at Manawatu – Wednesday 3 January
The annual meeting this year held at Manawatu Raceway, features the Wanganui Cup. And links in with the Hawera meeting the same week, as below.
Interislander Summer Festival Roxburgh TC – Thursday 4 January
The annual meeting at Roxburgh will be highly anticipated for locals. And they’ll notice a new appearance of the track this year.
After recently being resurfaced, Geoff Knight of the Roxburgh Trotting Club has described the track as being beautiful to work on, and when watered produces a beautiful cushion to drive on.
“We had a heap of volunteers help us get the track ready. We took about 15 years worth of crusher dust off of it, and put on 300 cubic metres of the sand surface that is on the Addington and Forbury tracks,” Knight said. “John Denton has given it the thumbs up following a recent inspection.”
Commentator, Dave McDonald, has hand crafted a unique and stunning mailbox out of Central Otago schist to be auctioned off on race day at the Roxburgh race meeting. A talented model maker in his spare time, he wanted to give back to the industry.
“I really wanted to do something that reflects Central Otago, and I’m quite proud of the way the letterbox turned out. It’s only the second one I have made like this and I’m happy that I can support the club in this way,” McDonald said.
To see photos of the mailbox and new track surface click here
Interislander Summer Festival Wyndham HRC, Cromwell – Saturday 6 January
The final day of the Central Otago holiday circuit, the Cromwell and Districts meeting will be held on the grass at Cromwell Racecourse.
It features the 2018 Pure Pac Cherries Cromwell Businesses Cup, which is a part of the Southern Country Cups series.
On course entertainment includes: Picnic Racing Fashion In The Field; Best Dressed lady, man, couple, boy, girl, under 7. Best Hat/fascinator, Abs For The Lads Competition, Best Car Park Picnic Competition, More FM Kids Go Racing Area, free mini jeep rides, kids running race (mobile start), losing ticket draw for mobile rides and Punters Club.
Hawera HRC – Sunday 7 January
To be held at Hawera Racecourse on the grass.
Interislander Summer Festival Nelson HRC – Friday 12 January and Sunday 14 January
Featuring the Golden Edge Nelson Cup Prelude and Nelson Pine Industries Summer Cup, the two day summer meeting promises to be a fun event for the whole family.
Club President, Kristie Hill, recently made history by being the first female President of the Nelson Harness Racing Club. She has included more information and also photos from the recent resurfacing of the course, here.
Interislander Summer Festival Marlborough HRC – Friday 19 January 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 four weeks ago and is looking forward to her new position.
“Harness racing has been a part of my life for over 30 years and I am thrilled to be able to give back to the industry by way of my involvement with the club. Up until about 18 months ago I was juggling training horses with full time employment and also running our small vineyard, but now I am able to focus more on the club,” Shutkowski said.
She also 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.
Please contact the club for further information should you require on 03-578-8599.
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