Sun shines for race fans at Ruakaka

Once again the sun turned it on for a very warm sunny day at the Ruakaka Races. The club has been fortunate to race on the two probably warmest days so far this summer.

A reasonable crowd turned out on-course with betting turnover figures comparable to last year.

Donna and Dean Logan's entry of three resulted in three placings for the day and Michael Manson's Porshabeel looked set to win the feature race of the day - Race 4, the Outboard's Restaurant 1600 metres.

Porshabeel led all the way, but eventually ran into second place, when Tivoli stormed home from the outside of the field to win by a neck.

Waipu trainer Ricky Wells also looked set to have a good day with two of his entries - Govind and Star Kruza - performing well.

Star Kruza showed some tenacity in the closing stages of Race 2, doing well to finish for a close second behind Kuroda Field.

Golan Grey, trained by Ruakaka trainer Alan (AJ) Johnson ran home for third in the final race of the day - the A'Fare Catering 1400.

It was a very big effort for the 7-year-old Golan gelding which trailed the field from the start and ran wide, racing a little erratic.

However, it finally pulled it all together in the closing stages and was only being beaten for second place - by Zerpourguru - by a short neck. The race was won by Kindred, ridden by M Cameron.

This will be the last race day for this summer for the Whangarei Racing Club, which will now take a break before heading into a busy schedule of racedays through the winter months.

The next scheduled date for the club will be Wednesday, May 16 at the Ruakaka racecourse.

First time gambler's experience - A13