A mix of young party-seekers, hardy racing fans and those who have contributed to the running of one of New Zealand’s oldest racing clubs were out in force for its annual Christmas race meeting.
That mix led to the Tapanui club hosting one of its largest crowds in recent years, which means the day could only be labelled a success.
‘‘We got a great crowd. You don’t see a lot of them because we have a lot of people in tents, but the public bar is full and the president’s room is full," president Barrie Blatch said.
For many of the younger members of the crowd, the action on the track and the chance to celebrate the Tapanui Club’s longevity were far from their mind.
That did not detract from the celebrations and the reminiscing of past and present club members at yesterday’s meeting.
The club had a marquee displaying memorabilia dating back to the 1800s which was the focal point for marking yesterday’s occasion.
The finish to yesterday’s feature race on the track, the $55,000 Tapanui Cup, was fitting for the club’s big day.
Just millimetres separated the first three horses across the line — Kilowatt, Riviera Rock and Gallant Boy — in a thrilling finish.
The club had boosted the race’s stake from $20,000 to $40,000 last year and $55,000 for 2019.
The move to put money back in the pockets of horse owners, trainers and jockeys paid off when a top-class field of horses produced one of the most exciting finishes seen in a feature race in Southland in recent racing seasons.
"Look at that cup out there today — you won’t see a better finish than that," Blatch said.
When Kilowatt was declared the winner after a photo finish, it ensured the club’s 150th year celebrations would go long in to the night.
The horse is raced by the 20-strong Carriers Arms Racing Syndicate.
The win handed the group, founded at the Carriers Arms Hotel in Riverton, their best win in 10 years of racing horses.
"It was a pretty big thrill," syndicate manager Stu Heath said.
"We have got people from all walks of life and this will be the biggest race they have ever won in their lives."
Party seekers among yesterday’s large crowd, estimated to be about 2000 people, were generally well behaved.
The fashion choices of some of the mullet-sporting attendees proved more offensive than their behaviour.
