Kurow Races fashion in the field winners, from left,
Clarissa Doran, of Timaru (third), winner Shelley Small, of
Cattle Creek, and Cushla McCarthy, of Waiheke Island
(second). Photo by Andrew Ashton.
A large crowd turned out to enjoy a flutter, a drop of
Waitaki Valley wine and lashings of strawberries and cream
under bright sunshine at the annual Kurow races yesterday.
Organisers acknowledged they were fortunate with the weather.
A morning downpour before the first race had threatened to
scupper the day before it had started. Another heavy shower
fell after the last race.
Gallop South general manager Malcolm Little said an
inspection after the morning rain gave the course the
all-clear for racing and the rain clouds later ''blew away
nicely''.
A crowd of 2568 packed the stands, down on last year's
record-breaking attendance of 5000 ''The numbers are holding.
There are a lot of tourists around looking for something to
do and they always seem to enjoy coming here.''
The race meeting followed the annual Kurow festival market
day on Saturday.
Ostler Wines proprietor Jim Jerram said the good turnout on
race day had topped off a perfect weekend for Kurow.
He said race day was a perfect way to promote local produce.
With many out-of-towners arriving for the races, there were
benefits for the whole of Kurow.
''We come here every year. We were one of the first to start
selling wine here, two or three years ago.
''It seems to be a hugely popular event with a lot of
people.''
The day even ended on a good note for locals, as Shelley
Small, from Cattle Creek, took first place in the race day's
inaugural ladies' fashion in the field competition.
-andrew.ashton@odt.co.nz
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