Big crowds for cup day

WINNER: The Northern Wairoa Hotel Cup was won easily by Grand Affair.

The Dargaville races spring meeting was a record day for the club both financially and in drawing large crowds.

Club president Lyn Harvey says takings were up $30,000 to $180,000 on course and $850,000 off course – about the same as last year.

"I would have thought somewhere between 2000 and 3000 people passed through the gates, parking space for buses were at a premium, and we intend to extend the area for parking next year," says Mr Harvey.

Racing Minister John Carter made his first ever visit to the races in his official capacity and was supportive of the day.

He was impressed with the carnival atmosphere and has called for the club to release a breakdown from sponsors, owners and trainers and the hospitality industry, as to the financial impact this brings to Dargaville.

Mr Harvey says the club fully intends to deliver on this.

"On behalf of the club I wish to thank Mr Carter for the courtesy and interest he has shown, realising he had other commitments at cup week in Canterbury," says Mr Harvey.

There were three records broken on the day.

Tanha Strike set a new record in race one, coming in at 1.21.56.

The next record set was in race two by Shaft who won the race in 2.01.58, beating the previous record of 2.02.40 set in 1986.

Another record was set by The Skull in race nine with a time of 1.08.96, beating the previous record time of 1.09.01 set in 2002.

The winner of the day’s main race, the Northern Wairoa Cup was Grand Affair, ridden by New Zealand’s No 1 jockey Sam Spratt.

The best-dressed in field was judged by Suzy Walker from Mulbery Design and Steve Wong from Webb Ross.

Polwarth Design owner Cheryl Polwart, who sponsored the major event along with Caci Medispa, confirmed the winner of the event would qualify for the Ellerslie regional finals.

Winner was Michelle Hotter from Whangarei. Local Dargaville resident Gaile Booth placed second and Grace Portanger in a dress she made herself in just one morning, placed third.

- © Fairfax NZ News