Getting set for a big day at the races

IT'S ON: Castlepoint promises to produce beach racing at its best again on Saturday. PHOTO/FILE

The stage is set for a day of highly competitive beach racing at Castlepoint on Saturday, especially if the weather gods decide to postpone expected - albeit much-needed rain - for another day.

Castlepoint Beach Racing Club president Andy Pottinger has predicted the racing surface should be spot-on, as damaging winds which can strip the beach of sand have thankfully stayed away.

The latest weather forecast for the wider Wairarapa area is for the hot, sunny weather to disperse somewhat and for temperatures to drop from the high 20Cs to 19C.

But coastal Wairarapa is famous for thumbing its nose at weather forecasts and if it chooses to do so again then a good early autumn day is on the cards.

Horse owners, including several from the professional training ranks, have come to the party, ensuring big fields for the equalisator meeting.

Top trainer Kevin Myers is bringing a team of 30 to the meeting and John Wheeler's stable will be represented by eight runners.

As usual, racing will take place on the strip of beach in front of Castlepoint Store, with admission being $5 a head or $20 a car.

Investments will be in $2 lots, with each purchase giving the investor a card with a printed letter on it.

Just before each race there will be a draw and the letter on a ticket will be matched up with the name of a runner.

Dividends, of course, are paid on a winning ticket.

The day is not restricted to horse racing, as there will be organised games for children, a fun fashion parade and entertainment.

The first event will be a hack race and the last will be a fun event for the six stewards.

-Major fields for equalisator betting are:

Race 2 Tinui Handicap: Prestigeosa , McCulley, Seeking the Silver, Gagarin, Billy Elliot, It's a Wonder, Tobouggie Nights, Bay Rum, China Cat, Dann Doonayr, End of the Line, Kings Kite, Sharmal, Simon, Sir Percy, Tandarra Gold, The Oysterman.

Race 3 Lighthouse Handicap: Spring Cheer, Crusier, Get Flash, Steelfix, Zentangle, Riveria Star, Roodyvoo, Take Off, Fair Script, Fred Flintstone, Cho Suet, Jenny, Jimmy Cat, Our Spice, Waikikiriki.

Race 4 Castlepoint Cup: Intransigent, Mac O'Reilly, Sea Eagle, Sea King, Duchessofcambridge, Seeking the Silver, Houndscry, Lanzara, Stormin Norman, Wai Not, In for Fun, Waikikiriki, Zed Em.

Race 5 Trial Stakes: Banteneighty, Converted, Dame Wynnie, Danroad, Flying Cossack, Kings Kite, Lautaro, Post Romance, Sally, Waikikiriki, Wendy, Zartan.

Race 6 Whakataki Handicap: Mac O'Reilly, McCulley, Biding Time, Derby Dan, Fair Script, Final Hit, Fred Flintstone, Tobouggie Nights, Dann Doonayr, End of the Line, Patapan, Sir Manawa, Venerate.

Race 7 Scofield Handicap: Overtheriver, Sea Eagle, Caramac, McCulley, Get Flash, Houndscry, Stormin Norman, Gagarin, Wai Not, Double Chance, Final Hit, Riveria Star, Trickjah, Our Delight, All Ginga, Banteneighty, Countdown, Dame Wynnie, Tandarra Gold, Waikikiriki.