Large crowds turned out for the first race day in Waipukurau in six years.
Large crowds turned out for the first race day in Waipukurau in six years.
Horse racing has returned to Hawke’s Bay for the first time in over a year with crowds flocking to the “epic” race day in Waipukurau.
Over 4000 people attended the Waipukurau Raceday on Sunday, according to organisers.
It ended a drought for horse racing in the region following the suddenstoppage to racing at Hastings Racecourse last September, which is Hawke’s Bay’s main racecourse and is undergoing repairs.
It also marked the first raceday at Waipukurau Racecourse since 2019.
Waipukurau Jockey Club president Kirsty Lawrence said it was a fantastic day and the crowds were all the way down to the 200m mark. “It was just incredible,” she said.
As well as racing, the event featured fun activities for children, fashion in the field, a mascot race on the track, a gathering of life members, and “just something for everybody”.
Lawrence said Waipukurau had not had an event of that size in a long time and locals turned out for it.
Tauranga-trained horse Enright wins the feature race, the Waipukurau Cup. Photo / Jane Davidson
“It was just epic.”
On Saturday, a helicopter was used to dry out a portion of the track ahead of the Sunday racing, which enjoyed fine weather.
Waipukurau Racecourse is hosting two more race days in the near future on Sunday February 15 and Sunday April 26.
