Race club welcomes back crowds

Will Johnston

New Plymouth Raceway will be able to welcome back crowds for its upcoming race meeting on Saturday for the first time since February 1.

Racegoers were not permitted during events at Covid-19 Alert Level 2, meaning horse riders, training and event staff were the only ones allowed to attend.

Taranaki Racing chief executive Carey Hobbs said the club was delighted to have crowds back and believes people will be pleased to be able to attend.

“Financially it is a little better for the club but not better for the TAB as costs are higher but great for the atmosphere to have a large crowd.”

Saturday’s race meeting features 10 races with the main race the $70,000 Group III Merial 1400m.

There will be plenty of local interest in the race with Allan Sharrock’s London Express one of the favourites, along with Ladies First and Marilyn Paewai’s Rosewood.

The programme will also include New Zealand’s longest flat race at 3210 metres.

“The winner gets travel support to run in the AUD$300,000 Jericho Cup at Warrnambool in December. Last year’s winner Aigne is the likely favourite,” Hobbs said.

Now trained by Kevin Myers, Aigne easily won last year’s edition before coming third in the Jericho Cup.

Hobbs said people should expect quality racing plus the very popular Jack Russell race at 4:10pm with fund-raising opportunities.

“We are raising money for Blue Light, the Police charity. Last year we had New Zealand's first dinosaur race and although we won’t have a repeat, we do have a surprise race planned,” he said.

The Ranfurly Shield will also be on show during the day.

Admission is $5 and the first race will start at 12:01pm with the final race on the card at 5:18pm.