Racing: Must-do race meetings - catering for every taste

Twin sisters  Ella  (left) and Myer Labrum (7), of Wellington, in the sack race at the 2014...
Twin sisters Ella (left) and Myer Labrum (7), of Wellington, in the sack race at the 2014 Central Otago Trotting Club meeting at Omakau. Photo by ODT.
Tauherenikau in the Wairarapa fills up with racing fans every year for the  January 2 meeting....
Tauherenikau in the Wairarapa fills up with racing fans every year for the January 2 meeting. Photo by theraces.co.nz

Race days are more than just a conglomeration of seven to 10 (or maybe 12) races being run half an hour apart. They're supposed to be an event - at least, the best ones are. Racing-sports reporter Matt Smith has attended a few, and has compiled - in no particular order - 10 racing events you should try to attend in New Zealand in your lifetime. With a southern slant, of course.

 

New Zealand Trotting Cup day

Yes, it's crowded. And yes, it might be a good idea to look down when you walk in case you step in something less than sanitary. But it's New Zealand Trotting Cup day, and the sun (almost) always shines. Throw in a parochial Canterbury crowd, the best in fashion (clothed or painted) and some unbelievable racing, and it's arguably New Zealand's biggest race day.

 

Westport on Boxing Day

An afternoon at Patterson Park - preferably on a day when the rain isn't bucketing down like a dunking machine - is still on my racing bucket list. From all reports, the hospitality - whether you're a trainer, a driver, a member of the media, or a regular racegoer - is nothing short of outstanding. Plus after Boxing Day, you can do it all again two days later.

 

Omakau (January 2 and 3)

Slight bias here, as a trotting meeting at Omakau was the first ever meeting I attended back in ... 1996? But Omakau has lots going for it. There's plenty of shelter under the trees if the blazing sun (or pouring rain) gets too much, the culinary options are usually top-notch and the trotting meeting in particular has grown in stature over recent years.

 

Kumara Gold Nuggets day

The 2013 census tells us that Kumara - a town 30km south of Greymouth - has a population of 309. That number is multiplied, and multiplied, and multiplied in early January every year when up to 10,000 Cantabrians and Coasters converge on the sleepy town (which is also the start point for the Coast To Coast multisport event) for a day of racing, barbecues and beverages.

 

Kaikoura Cup day

I watched Kaikoura's annual meeting on TV year after year, and heard the TV presenters wax lyrical about the sun, the setting and the racing.

''It can't be THAT awesome,'' I thought. But in 2012 I discovered it was everything they said it was. A shower or two gave way to perfect sunshine for the rest of the day, the beer was cheap ($4 for a stubbie of Speight's) and seafood was in abundance. Plus we got back to our ''deluxe cabin'' (not ideal for four grown men) with money to spare.

 

Karaka Million, at Ellerslie

I'm yet to attend the Karaka Million twilight meeting in late January, but from what I hear, it's glitz and glamour on a Sunday night. Auckland has a holiday the next day due to their local anniversary day, so it's the perfect way to round off a weekend of partying. Oh, and New Zealand's richest race is run as well.

 

Derby Day, at Ellerslie

Another Ellerslie day to visit is Derby Day - the first Saturday of the Auckland Cup carnival in late February or early March. The crowds will be decent, but not too overbearing, plus there is the small matter of the New Zealand Derby on the card.

 

Wellington Cup day

Big race days in big cities equals big crowds. Wellington Cup day is no exception. The unique situation of a city with a half decent public transport system means crowds flock by train to Trentham for Cup day. Sure, the race might be lacking the lustre of previous years - especially now it's back to 2400m - but 80% of those on course don't care as they booze and bet all afternoon.

 

Melbourne Cup day, at Wingatui

If only the weather would play ball every so often on the first Tuesday in November at Wingatui. The meeting has all the makings of a top race day - we just need the temperature to rise above single figures every so often. Chilly conditions aside, the meeting draws a big crowd - both corporate and regular Joes - and there are plenty of sights both on and off the track.

 

Various North Island country meetings

I consulted a regular racegoer in the North Island to round out my top 10. He found it hard to split three country meetings so we're putting them under the same banner. The Thames gallops meeting has fish lovers salivating over its range of fresh fish, Wairoa's two day meeting in February is the North Island mecca for crayfish at a race meeting, while thousands flock from Wellington and around the Wairarapa to come to Tauherenikau (south of Masterton) on January 2.

 

Honorable mentions:

Roxburgh (Jimmy's Pies for Africa); Waikouaiti and Kurow (great day for families), Motukarara and Methven (take your pick of days on these lush grass track surfaces), Cromwell's December meeting, New Zealand Cup day at Riccarton.

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