Party-seeking racegoers are set to pack out the Gore racecourse for the Tapanui club’s annual meeting.
Tapanui Cup day has built momentum in recent seasons to become one of Southland’s most attended thoroughbred meetings.
Its popularity took a slight dip last year, but it has bounced back to provide what is set to be a record crowd for club’s 150th celebrations.
“Last year we didn’t sell that many of the mini or maxi marquees, but this year we are basically sold out of them,” club vice-president Nikki Blatch said.
“I would say we have had as much interest, if not more, than we have had before.”
Although the crowd will be a bumper one by modern standards, it will not be able to compete with the numbers that flocked to Tapanui racecourse five decades ago.
Then, there would be barely be standing room as punters flocked to the course, which has not been used for racing since 1997.
Sunday’s crowd will feature a mix of Christmas party seekers and Tapanui Racing Club members and supporters out to mark the club’s special occasion.
The club committee has been working on collecting a range of memorabilia to display at Sunday’s meeting.
The collection includes race-day items that date back to the clubs early years in the 1800s.
“It’s all coming together nicely,” Blatch said.
“Hopefully, the locals come out and support it — I am sure they will.
“We have got quite a few of past members from out of the province for it.”
There are connections to the club’s glory years seen in the field assembled for Sunday’s Tapanui Cup.
The club boosted the 2000m feature’s stake to $55,000 for its 150th year and it has paid off with a classy bunch of horses set to contest the race.
Trainers Brian and Shane Anderton and Ellis Winsloe will be out to continue their families’ strong legacy at Tapanui Racing Club meetings.
Brian Anderton’s father, Hector Anderton, won the Tapanui Cup seven times during his career.
Brian and son Shane have Gallant Boy entered in this year’s event.
Ellis Winsloe, son of former leading Eastern Southland trainer Ted Winsloe, will be represented by Irish Excuse in the Tapanui Cup.
The 9yr-old will attempt to win his first middle-distance race in more than four years.
Blatch and husband Barrie will attempt to keep the Tapanui Cup in its home town when they start Mr Intelligence in the race.
Barrie serves as club president alongside his wife on the club’s committee.
The couple are the only thoroughbred trainers still using the Tapanui racecourse.
Harness racing trainers Matt Saunders and John Stiven also train from the course.
The most action the former racetrack sees these days, beside morning trackwork, is the annual Tapanui A&P show.
