Police seek assault victim from Livamol Classic in Hastings for welfare check

Police are searching for the victim of an alleged assault which occurred at the Colliers Hawke’s Bay Racing Carnival – Livamol Classic Raceday for a wellbeing check.

The assault happened on Saturday, October 12, in the R18 party zone, which contained an inflatable pool filled with plastic balls, at the Hastings Racecourse.

A police spokeswoman said the main reason for wanting to contact the victim was to “ensure her welfare, but we would also see whether she is willing/able to give us any further information that may help us”.

The spokeswoman said police knew the identity of the alleged offender and had been in touch.

Although the spokeswoman could not comment on the circumstances of the assault, she could say there were no significant injuries.

Racing at the 2024 Livamol Classic shifted from the Hastings Racecourse to Te Rapa in Waikato following an assessment of the Hastings track after a horse slipped but did not fall.

The slip occurred just past the post during the first lap of that weekend’s opening event over 2100m.

However, the expected entertainment, hospitality, music and fashion displays continued as planned.

Plans for the future of horse racing at the Hastings Racecourse are expected in 2025.

Jack Riddell is a multimedia journalist with Hawke’s Bay Today and spent the last 15 years working in radio and media in Auckland, London, Berlin and Napier. He reports on all stories relevant to residents of the region, along with pieces on art, music, and culture.