Race day out expected to be another success

The Kaikōura Trotting Club's two-day harness racing meet is back this weekend and is expected to be a big drawcard. 

Last year was the first time the club had held a two-day meeting and thanks to good weather and the long weekend in Marlborough, visitors flocked to the South Bay race track. 

Event manager Geraldine Stanbury said the Weekend of Racing on Sunday and Monday could be the biggest event Kaikōura has seen for a while. There will be two days of action-packed harness racing with a backdrop of rolling surf and snow-capped mountains.

Milissa Ward, winner of the Rockgas Most Appropriately Dressed. (EMMA DANGERFIELD PHOTO)

"It's an event not to be missed," she said.

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"The weekend represents all that is unique about harness racing with great horses, a great track and a great view." 

Photo finish. (EMMA DANGERFIELD PHOTO)

Glamour is back on with the Most Appropriately Dressed competition. 

The Punters Club will again be on a roll. All ticket holders go into a draw to win seven nights accommodation at The Peninsular Resort in Mooloolaba.

Traditionally Sunday is a family day and the six-race programme features junior and amateur driver races, with the first race starting at 2.52pm. Entry will be by gold coin donation with the proceeds going to the Mayoral Earthquake fund. 

On Monday spectators need to be on the field by noon to see the first race set off at 12.09pm.

Marlborough have been good supporters in the past and the event usually gets a few horses from the north.

This year will be a bit different said Kaikōura Trotting Club president Willy Weaver.

"Because the road is closed north to Picton we don't expect to see quite the same crowd from Blenheim."

There were 112 horses entered last year, however, Weaver said entries don't close off until a few days before so it was hard to judge.

"It's quite a fast track at the moment.

"The wet weather would've made it a bit harder, and we've had the tractor on the track to condition it and it's still going fast." 

By Pippa Brown

Reprinted with permission of The Marlborough Express