But this Father’s Day will be a bit different.
The Forbury Park Trotting Club is staging a Sunday meeting and general manager Rodney Moore said there had been "strong" interest in what is a first for the club.
"Historically, our first race meeting of the season has been a Thursday night, generally around August. But when the draft calendar came out we had been allocated a Sunday afternoon," he said.
"That had been flagged a couple of years ago as a possibility. We were keen to have a look at a Sunday afternoon."
Once the club realised it was Father’s Day as well, it was able to promote the event as a family day.
"The way it has worked out has just been brilliant. We’ve been able to promote the race meeting with Father’s Day in mind."
Moore said judging by the number of phone calls he had received, the Sunday time slot seemed to appeal and he was expecting greater interest than usual.
"It is something different, obviously, and there is a level of interest out there. Going forward, I think it is something that we would, potentially, push for again in the future."
He was reluctant to "put a number on" an expected crowd but said there had been "strong interest from our members".
To help create the right atmosphere, the club is putting on free pony cart rides for children.
"We’ve endeavoured to make it a family entertainment day."
The Dutchie Handicap Trot (race 8) is the highest-rated race of the day. It is 2700m and there is $9000 in prize money on offer.
Experienced Oamaru trainer Phil Williamson has two horses, Pyramid Magic and Pyramid Monarch, in the race and they were both "a runner’s chances", he said.
Pyramid Magic had a win in Gore in his last start last weekend but is starting from the 30m mark. Pyramid Monarch has the same handicap, so they will have some work to do.
"I would just say they have an each-way chance, the pair of them," Williamson said.
Pyramid Magic has earned almost $60,000 in prize money from 63 starts. He made a push for the lead in Gore and held on for a good win.
"He is off the 30m handicap so he will have to make that up first. It will just come down to the race and how it is run.
"But if Redwood Invasion leads, going around to the front will not be an option. It will have to be a different tactic this time."
Williamson felt Redwood Invasion shaped as the horse to beat. The gelding has been racing in Canterbury and "he does have some ability".
"I think he is probably the leader in the race and will take a bit of running down."
Cuddly Jess is another to watch. She has had some solid results recently and experienced driver Dexter Dunn has the drive.
But Pyramid Monarch could also easily upset her half-brother if she has a good race as well.
Updates
Additional information for meetings today. —M2 Whangarei RCScratchings: Race 4, Our King Sway; race 6, Tin Soldier; race 8, Gottagetmywoohoo.
Weather, fine; track, dead4; rail out 5m.
M4 Hawke’s Bay Racing IncScratchings: Race 6, Manhattan Flame, Swiss Military, Worldclass.
Rider: Race 3, Our King Sway — Anna Jones.
Weather, overcast; track, slow8; rail true.
