We say it month after month but it is hard to believe that we are nearly in October and less than 3 months away from the big man coming down the chimney! Daylight savings has officially kicked in and it will be a welcome sight seeing the sun set over harness racing at Alexandra Park this coming Friday evening.

What better way to really kick off Spring than with the running of the Spring Cup – and whilst only drawing a small field of 6 runners the quality of horses is right up there with the best we have seen in years and it will be exciting to see the north's top NZ Cup contenders all making their early play towards Cup glory come the second Tuesday of November.

The Kerry Hoggard Memorial – The Holmes DG will be run on the meeting of October 13th so it really is exciting times for us all here in the North. Spring racing means we are getting closer to feature racing and the meeting of October 27th will see heat one of the Alabar Sires Stakes Series for the 3YO Fillies & heat four of the NRM Sires Stakes Series for the 3YO C&G's.

We would like to thank everyone for getting on board with the recent changes implemented to the H&S in the stables and the feedback we have received from owners & guests has been really positive. We are very lucky in the fact that we are able to have these people in the stables and experiencing the action first hand so we ask that everyone takes it on board themselves to enforce the H&S policies so that we can continue to provide this experience to owners and guests into the foreseeable future. Part of this is providing a safe area for these people (which is the green sealed areas throughout the stables) and we ask that trainers situate their sulkies within the painted yellow lines to either side of the green sealed pathways in the middle of either side of the stables.

The ATC would also kindly like to remind trainers and stablehands that part of racing your horses here at The Park is playing by the rules – rules which are in place for the best interests of everyone involved. Many of you follow these rules and we are all very grateful of that – however it has been noticed recently that there are a few repeat offenders who (in relation to maintaining the cleanliness of the boxes provided to you on racenights) are failing to do so and leaving their allocated stalls in an appalling condition. We do not want to have to speak to anyone about this as an on-going issue and to be put in a position to issue warnings but it is not a good look when we have owners and guests through the stables and also makes the grounds staff jobs so much more difficult. We would appreciate your efforts to get on board and do your very small piece to help contribute to the overall success of the ATC.

We wish everyone the best of luck for the upcoming Spring & Summer months and look forward to seeing you all on track!!

Changes to the ATC Stables Health & Safety Policies and Procedures (in effect from the race meeting of Friday August 25)

In the interest of the H&S of everyone involved (combined with the recent changes to H&S in the workplace) as of the meeting on Friday August 25 a new stables H&S policy will be implemented. There are some big changes that have needed to be made and whilst we appreciate that not everyone will see the need for such changes, we ask that everyone gets on board and co-operates with us as we transition these changes. The following changes need to be noted by all as anyone who refuses to co-operate and follow the new stables H&S policy will be denied access to the stables on racenight.

Entry to the stables will only be permitted to licensees (trainers, owners & stablehands will be given a stable pass upon entry and required to wear this at all times when in the stabling area), owners (and guests of owners) who have obtained a stable pass from the main reception (along with their other owner's entitlements) & children 6-14 who have completed the SAAC course. Children aged 15-17 who are guests of owners or the club with a valid stable pass are permitted in the stables only under the supervision (and responsibility) of an adult. Children 5 years of age and younger are not permitted in the stables at any time. Any individual who is granted entry to the stables (except licensees) will be asked to remain in the designated areas (the green sealed pathways) and those who choose to ignore this request will do so at their own risk.

Smoking is not at any time permitted in the stables – those who are caught smoking will be asked to put their cigarette out or asked to move outside of the stabling complex. Repeat offenders will be issued with a warning from Club officials which may lead to further consequences.

Glass is not at any time permitted in the stables – you will be asked to dispose of your drink before entry is granted.

Please note that stable passes will no longer be given out at the main stables entrance adjacent to the birdcage. Anyone requiring additional stable passes who is not in the aforementioned will be directed to the Racing Manager in the raceday office located in the Admin building.

The SAAC (Stable Area Awareness Course) for children aged 6-14 years will take place 1 hour prior to the start of the first tote race on the first meeting of each month here at The Park. Children who pass this course will be issued with a temporary pass which will admit them to the stables when under the supervision of an adult. They will then be issued with photo ID and a lanyard for easy access on racenight (when again under the supervision of an adult). Children are permitted to turn up on the night to partake in the course but we do ask that parents/guardians let the club know (Racing Manager Regan Cotter) when their child will be attending to assist us through this period. Upcoming S.A.A.C course dates as follows –

If you have any questions relating to any of the new H&S procedures & policies please don't hesitate to contact Regan or ATC H&S Manager Shane Primrose – shane.primrose@alexandrapark.nz / 09 631 1189
 

Programmes

Programmes for the October and early November are now available online at http://infohorse.hrnz.co.nz/datahr/programmes/programm.htm

Upcoming September / October Race Meetings @ The Park

Friday 29th September
Friday 13th October
Friday 27th October

Upcoming Trial & Workout dates

As many of you will now know, the ATC has decided in the interests of everyone involved to run both Tuesday & Saturday workouts. Official qualifying trials will be held every Tuesday and will be on a week-to-week right / left handed rotating basis. Tuesday's will kick off at midday (with nominations to close the Monday before at 3.00pm) & Saturday'swill commence at 10.00am (with nominations to close the Thursday prior at 3.00pm). As has always been the case if any trials/workouts meeting is to receive insufficient nominations the club may choose to not run the given meeting and communication will be made to all concerned.

Please note that as per the norm where numbers are feasible, trials & workouts will be recorded and available via www.hrnz.co.nz

For those of you who like to get in early and see the videos ASAP (prior to the official results been entered) please remember the race videos can be viewed on http://m.hrnz.co.nz/ (note these will be available via this link once Magness is able to upload the videos onto the HRNZ website).

Saturday 30th September – Workouts Franklin Park ​ ​
Tuesday 3rd October – Trials (LH) & Workouts Franklin Park ​
Saturday 7th October – Workouts Franklin Park ​
Tuesday 10th October – Trials (RH) & Workouts Franklin Park ​​
Saturday 14th October – Workouts Franklin Park ​
Tuesday 17th October – Trials (LH) & Workouts Franklin Park ​
Saturday 21st October – Workouts Franklin Park ​
Tuesday 24th October – Trials (RH) & Workouts Franklin Park ​​
Saturday 28th October – Workouts Franklin Park ​
Tuesday 31st October – Workouts Franklin Park ​ ​

Regan Cotter

Racing Manager
09 631 1163
027 249 1205

 

OCTOBER

TROPICAL NIGHTS
Fridays 13 & 27 October 2017

Aloha! Dreaming of pineapples, pigs and Pina Coladas? Come along to Alexandra Park’s ever popular Tropical Nights held over two race weeks this October for a delicious night of all things tropical, and the chance to 
WIN a trip for 2 to Vanuatu with Air Vanuatu and Mangoes Resort & Restaurant!

We will have a spectacular all-you-can-eat buffet, plus the best views in the house from the Top of the Park. Packages also include free parking and racebooks.
Don’t miss out on this night of tropical fun and your chance to win!

Check out Tropical Nights

 

 

NOVEMBER & DECEMBER

17, 24 & 30 NOVEMBER | 1, 8, 15, 16 & 22  DECEMBER

Christmas at the Races is one of our most popular events of the year.
If you’re looking for a fantastic and easy to organise Christmas Party, with delicious food, stunning decor and entertainment, then look no further!

We have three Christmas at the Races packages available in 2017; the Pohutukawa Package, the Mistletoe Package and the Holly Package. Click the button below for more information on inclusions, and see our CATR Packages brochure below for pricing, dates and rooms.

Packages, Pricing and More

Alexandra Park offers some fantastic packages for corporate hosting and entertainment.
Bring your guests along to one of our Friday night Race Nights and together you can take a behind the scenes tour, own a race, dine on a delicious buffet (in a private room if you wish!) and even experience the thrill of harness racing first hand by taking a Dual Sulky for a spin.
Your guests will be suitably impressed, and you will all be in for an unforgettable night at the races.

Check out our brochure below for more information on our 3 Corporate Experience packages, and get in touch to book today.

More Information

 

QUIZ NIGHT, GREAT SPECIALS AND MORE!

Check out The Alex Bar & Eatery for a great place for breakfast, dinner, and everything in between!

With a new menu rolled out last month, weekly quiz nights, an amazing specials board PLUS a new 55-inch super sized screen for all the sport you can handle, what's not to love?

We also have an on site TAB and gaming lounge – come and see us and we guarantee you'll keep coming back!
 

Check Out The Alex