New time, new field, more money

Shestherealdeal winning the 2015 Wanganui Cup.

Trotting returns to the racecourse tomorrow for the first time in 14 months with a increased take for the feature race and guarantee of a first time winner.

The $10,000 Ag Challenge Wanganui Cup, which was moved from its traditional December time slot, headlines an eight race field with ten entries confirmed for the feature, a little down from the 13 of 2015.

But with an extra $2000 on the line, the event has pulled in some of the more prolific trainers, who will fill out the card with their charges.

"We're back on the grass, acknowledging the support of the jockey club to get things organised for us," Wanganui Trotting Club president Carole Terry

"There's several trainers that have got five [entries].

"There's even Brent Weaver, from Blenheim, he's got five."

Cambridge's Nicky Chilcott and Hawera's Fred Mitchell will bring five horses themselves, while Bulls trainer Doug Gail, a previous cup winner, has seven entries for the day.

There are no prior cup winners in the feature this year, a 2650m handicap pace for four-year-olds and up.

It is a real pick 'em with a number of horses having won or performed well in their last start.

"There's a fairly wide span of what they've won," said Terry.

Organisers will also be hoping the cup race doesn't have the nervous moments of 2015 when Cambridge horse Sicilian Secret fell on the first turn to the home stretch and lay prone as the field swept on - only regaining its feet as they were approaching on the second pass.

The card starts tomorrow with Race One at 12.22pm.

Entry is free, and there will be food catering as well as a bouncy castle for the children.
Later in the afternoon there will also be entertainment in the form of the Taranaki Kidz Kartz - pony and miniature horse racing.