A weekend of harness racing at Hutt Park could be the start of a new lease of life for what once was one of Wellington's most popular sports venues.
Six years after its last meeting on the track before the Wellington Trotting Club went into liquidation, the revived club is hoping to put the sport and its venue back on their feet. It holds its first meeting today and backs up with an afternoon meeting on Sunday.
The future depends on how many people turn up and club president Ivan McNicholl says the "vibes" are good.
"If all the people who've pledged to turn out come along it will be a great meeting."
The club needs strong public support today and hopes to consolidate that with a special family day on Sunday.
"It's not make or break but it's very important that this is successful," said McNicholl.
He said the club's credibility was on the line with both the public and the racing industry.
The club, now in its third year back from liquidation, has held recent meetings at Trentham. It has two race licences this year and two next year.
The last daylight meeting was held 15 years ago and the last night meeting six years ago.
In its heyday in the 1960s Hutt Park drew crowds of up to 17,000.
Racing: Vibes say revival on track
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