A nearly week-long effort to prepare Cromwell racecourse for its biggest raceday starts tomorrow.
Otago Racing Club officials are set to put up more tents than ever before for a what is expected to be a record-breaking crowd atCromwell’s annual thoroughbred meeting on Sunday.
The popularity of the annual Cromwell gallops meeting has continued to grow. An estimated 5000 people have attended each of the past two meetings.
Even more are expected to pack in this year, judging by pre-sale tickets.
The Otago Racing Club has had so much interest from corporate and social groups it has been busy finding new places to host racegoers.
General manager Rebecca Adlam said interestcame largely from two groups.
“There are groups of friends having birthday celebrations and things like that,” she said.
“But mostly it is corporates from Wanaka, Queenstown, Cromwell and Alexandra.”
Bookings for corporate tents started flowing in to the Otago Racing Club last December.
Many of those have come from businesses that have supported the meeting in the past.
“We go out with pre-sales around the beginning of September and they all come back and say we are in again.”
“Corporate hospitality has been sold out since the end of October. We have had a waitlist and we have been able to fit everyone it.
“We are really appreciative of the support of the Central Otago business community.”
Because the corporate tents have sold out, a new picnicstyle area has been created, open to all kinds of groups.
“The only thing that is left is a picnic patch where you can park a car and bring a gazebo and picnic,” Adlam said.
“There are only 20 of them and we are trialling it for the first time this year.”
Those who have not secured tickets to Sunday’s races should not fear that theywill miss out on what has become one of CentralOtago’s keypreChristmas social events.
The club still has general admission tickets available.
“People can buy tickets at the gate or online —we have already sold a lot online,” Adlam said.
The Otago Racing Clubis faced with the big task of catering for a bumper crowd. A mass effort to prepare food for its dozens of corporate groups will take place at the Cromwell sports centre later this week.
“It is extremely exciting for the club. All we need now is for the weather to play its part,” Adlam said.
Weather website weatherwatch.co.nz yesterday predicted morning showersfor Cromwell on Sunday with a high of 21degC.
