Golden trophy has annual day out in the sun

Front (from left), John McKay, of Edendale, Woody the dog, with owner Helen Russell, of Karitane, Gavin Marshall, of Tapanui; back row (from left), Catherine Stalker, of Oxford, Lisa Braithwaite, of Christchurch, Christine Stevenson, of Winton, Kadon Captain, of Christchurch, Kevin Dunlop, of Lorneville, George Russell (12), of Karitane, Richard Russell, of Karitane, and AJ Hope (11), of Dunedin. Photos by Jane Dawber.

The Clare Memorial Gold Cup, presented to the winner of the feature race at the Central Otago Racing Club Omakau races, resides in Central Stories Museum in Alexandra for 364 days a year.

Club president Alister Eckhoff said the cup was solid Central Otago gold but he preferred not to reveal how much it was worth.

"For security reasons, we'd rather not say, but it's believed to be one of the most valuable racing trophies in the country."

Past president Garry McDonnell said the trophy was made in 1930 with 200 worth of gold.

Mr Eckhoff removed the trophy from its case for a photograph by the track yesterday and as he walked back to replace it, a passer-by quipped, "I'll give you two bits of blue cod and a dozen oysters for it."

The cup is part of the club's history and there had never been any suggestion of "cashing it in", Mr Eckhoff said.

"It used to live in the bank all the time, except for race day, but now it's in the museum people can view it year round."

The museum had adequate security measures in place.

The club continued to insure the item for the museum, he said.

The feature race winners have the chance for photos with the cup and retain a vase engraved with the details of their win.

"In the early days, of course, the winners were able to take home the trophy, but it got a bit battered as a result of that and these days we're also a bit more security conscious."

Mr Eckhoff was pleased with the good crowd, about 4500, at yesterday's races, but believed rain early in the day had put off some race-goers.

Clare Morris, of Alexandra, was impressed by the races.

"I love it, so I'll definitely be back again," she said.

"I'm a horse person and own my own horse, but have never been to the races before today."

She was part of the five-strong St John crew at the event and had volunteered her services.

Two St John members were by the track and two more were responsible for the welfare of the jockeys, team manager Graham Sinclair said.

At race meetings, St John staff could expect to attend to anything from a "cut toes to a cardiac arrest", Mr Sinclair said.