The ever popular Bay of Plenty Interislander Summer Festival of Harness Racing attracted a crowd of between 3000 and 4000 to the Tauranga Racecourse today. Trainers from all over the North Island entered their horses in the 10-race event, which included the Gartshore Group Tauranga Grass Cup with a $10,000 stake.

Many punters answered the call to swap their high heels and suits for shorts and jandals, pack a picnic and grab the kids for a relaxing day out in the sun and a flutter or two.

In the crowd were Welcome Bay mother Theresa Surgenor, and her daughters Saraiah, 4, and two-year-old Amaya.

"We came last year and really loved it. We are here today because my older brother Michael [Erskine-Shaw] wanted to come. He and his girlfriend are visiting from Australia.

"It's like a big family reunion as my parents are here too. We're having a fun time, and it's a nice sunny day as well. My girls just love the horses, and the children's entertainment zone is also a big hit with them," she said.

Ms Surgenor said her first flutter on a horse called Wonder Why scored her $3.

"I never expected to win big, it's just a bit of fun and today is a great chance to spend a beautiful summer's day with my family."

Tauranga Harness Racing Club president Garry Hardaker said the weather could not have been more perfect.

"It's a great turnout as well with more than half of the carparks full and I estimate the attendance at about 3000 to 4000 people, which may be better than last year's event.

"Given all the other events on this Waitangi weekend that's a pretty good turnout, and people are clearly enjoying the entertainment on and off the track," he said.

Mr Hardaker said the Bay of Plenty Harness Racing Club had recently amalgamated with the Waikato Harness Racing Club.

"This year there will be more than 20-odd race meetings in Cambridge and at three grass tracks, so there is plenty of harness racing to come," he said.

By Sandra Conchie

Reprinted with permission of the Bay of Plenty Times