Riccarton racegoers unleashed their messy, drunken selves despite increased security and warnings that intoxicated patrons would be sent home.
Numerous people were arrested yesterday at this year's New Zealand Cup celebration held at Riccarton Park Racecourse. TV footage revealed bleeding patrons, raucous racegoers turned away at the door and young women stumbling over their high heels.
In a bid to stop sloppy drunks and unsightly behaviour, the Canterbury Jockey Club increased security by 43 per cent to 262 staff. Crowds were warned they could be breathalysed on arrival. If they were found to be intoxicated they would be turned away.
The move follows unsavoury scenes at Flemington for the Melbourne Cup carnival. International coverage, including pictures of Kiwi "lady in blue" Jade Millings riding wheelie bins and lying in a bush, went around the world and reflected poorly on Australia.
Canterbury Jockey Club chief executive Tim Mills told TVNZ they didn't want to see people behaving badly.