Entertainment aplenty at race meeting

Horses, karts, and horse carts were all on the agenda at the Waikouaiti Racing Club meeting at Wingatui.

The meeting at the racecourse on Saturday provided a day of entertainment for punters.

Cars were lined up across the grounds, allowing spectators to watch from the driver’s seat.

Others had their utes backed up with a portable barbecue on the back, grilling meat as they waited for the next race.

The crowd became animated whenever the riders neared the finish line as many celebrated a well-placed bet.

Among the big winners was Colin Huddleston, who managed to turn $2 into $45.

It was his first time at the races for "about 40 years" and he only popped in to see what it was like.

He had no strategy and just chose a few that sounded right.

"It’s always a stab in the dark."

He planned to take his winnings home before he had a chance to lose it.

Racing on far lower stakes was Esme Dalton, who took first place in the cart racing with Power of Hope.

She was not sure if it was a miniature horse or a small pony, but it was still her favourite.

Esme was not the only child on the track, as Indie Tuffley (1) took a spin around in the karts.

She was sat on the knee of father Liam Tuffley, who said the young girl absolutely loved any kind of fun movement.

It was her first time seeing a horse, which she originally mistook for a dog.