Racing: Ocean Park win adds extra thrill to reunion

Ocean Park's success in the $3 million Cox Plate in Melbourne added to the celebrations in Rotorua's CT Club last Saturday night.

As Ocean Park charged to victory in Australasia's richest weight-for-age event, the roar from inside the CT Club nearly rivalled that of the cheering on track in Melbourne. And it wasn't a case of any direct association with Ocean Park, rather a group of long-time members of the racing scene appreciating another memorable Kiwi triumph.

The CT Club was the scene of the Jockeys Reunion, hosted by the Northern Hurdle Horsemen's Committee, and it drew together a group of almost 80 people, the majority of whom had played roles in the success of racing in New Zealand.

Originally formed as a gathering of former jumps jockeys, the reunion was this year opened up to also include amateur riders and flat jockeys.

The reunion attracted people from far and wide in New Zealand, as well as an Australian supporter, former successful jockey and trainer Gary Carson, who flew across from Melbourne especially for the occasion.

Eighty-three-year-old Jock Harris made a special trip up from Palmerston North for the reunion and was thrilled to catch up with many old friends, including former top jockey and trainer Jim Hely and Herb Rauhihi, one of the true characters of the jockeys' ranks.

As imagined, many an old story was told and it was a night of much reminiscing which continued on to the next day when the function wound up with a fun morning with quizzes and giveaways.

It was a credit to the organisers and the parting shot from all those who attended was to have another reunion in a couple of years.Wally O'Hearn