Sunday race meeting draws a crowd

From left, Margaret, Amelia, 5, [other daughter Lilly, 11 obscured] Lotti, 5, and Glenn Tarplett at the mid-winter Christmas race meeting at Arawa Park. Photo / Stephen Parker

An impressive crowd turned up to the Rotorua Racing Club's mid-winter Christmas race day, despite the bad weather.

Rotorua Racing Club sponsorship and marketing manager Don Paterson said he was pleased with the crowd at Arawa Park yesterday.

"Obviously the weather had put a little damper on things but the 1000 or so people that showed up seemed to be enjoying it.

"All the lounges were full so that's something.

"The rain-affected track meant a more level playing field, which made for some tighter races, so they got a good show."

The Tarplett family from Auckland came to Rotorua on Saturday in search of a rental property to purchase and found themselves staying and heading along to the races.

"We decided to stay at Rydges and headed along to the races next door," Glenn Tarplett said. "We had a great time relaxing with the kids, which isn't something that we get to do often in our busy lifestyle.

"The kids made a bet on some of the horses that they liked the names of.

"It was a new experience for them as we wouldn't go to the races in Auckland. They're held midweek and we just don't have the time to go."

Mr Paterson said with lifestyles getting busier, he expected the number of people attending the Sunday races to grow. "Traditionally, Rotorua doesn't hold races on a Sunday. This was the first time in ages, but it has the potential to grow in the future.

"With sporting and work commitments, Sunday seems to be the only day families can seem to get together to have fun, and why not come to watch the races?"

The next Rotorua Racing Club event is the Rotorua/Bay of Plenty Hunt Cup Day on August 13, a Thursday.