Castlepoint races set to return after four years

Historic horse racing is set to return with the sand to Castlepoint beach after four years without a start.
Castlepoint Racing Club president Ian Balfour said yesterday a decision would be made next month whether to hold an eight-race meeting on March 24 with on-course equalisator that will also feature the mile-long Castlepoint Cup.
"At this stage we are very optimistic that racing will go ahead. Since the seawall was finished last year the beach has repaired a lot, and we'll probably just get a mile out of it if we're lucky.
"It's a tricky one ? we like to put off the decision as long as we can ? but a judgment will be made closer to the date."
Mr Balfour said contests at the coastal resort began in 1872 and that "only wars and the lack of sand" have since kept the pound of racing hooves from the beach at Castlepoint.
He said racing registration forms have been already sent out although few had yet returned as "people might be holding off a wee bit" until the race meeting gains an official green light.
Mr Balfour said the Castlepoint races were last held in 2002 after an earlier hiatus for the event from 1993 to 1995.
There had also been a year of racing missed in the mid-1960s, he said.
He said racing at Castlepoint would be held whatever the weather and was guaranteed to attract strong fields and "a good crowd".