Horse racing: Woodville race day has chills and spills

A few punters braved the wind in the stands to watch the action at Woodville-Pahīatua racing club's meeting.

Windy and cold would probably have been the best way to describe the race day at Woodville-Pahiatua Racing Club last weekend.

The second race at Woodville-Pahīatua racing club's raceday started off with a field of six and only three finished the race.

Rain was threatening in the first race of the day at Woodville-Pahīatua racing club for members' day. Fortunately, all riders made it over the hurdles safely.

The club hosted members’ day, part of racing’s Spring Carnival at the Woodville racecourse, but punters could be forgiven for thinking it was still winter with a blustery cold wind blowing through the stands.

Riderless: a horse makes a break for it after unsuccessfully negotiating a hurdle at Woodville-Pahīatua racing club's race two steeplechase.

While race one’s steeplechase went off without a hitch, three jockeys in the second steeplechase experienced the pitfalls of racing with hurdles, leaving a six-horse field down to just three.

All three riders appeared to be unhurt by their sudden unseating.

Race three at Woodville-Pahīatua racing club as the racers head for the finish line.