Beach race ready for green light

WAIRARAPA NEWS

The popular Castlepoint beach horse races will make a welcome return to the Wairarapa event calendar this year.

Castlepoint Racing Club secretary Jo Blyth said favourable beach conditions meant the races, planned for March 20, were likely to go ahead.

The races have only been held twice in the past seven years - the last time in 2007 - after storms left rocks exposed.

"2010 is looking very promising," said Mrs Blyth.

"The beach is looking fabulous, and there is more optimism than there has been for many years."

The races date back to 1872 when local station hands would compete on farm hacks for bottles of rum and stray coins.

However, more recently the races have progressed into a unique family day out with the emphasis on entertainment and picnicking.

Thoroughbreds have replaced farm hacks, and it's not unusual to see the normally quiet sea-side settlement bustling with people carrying umbrellas, picnic hampers, deck chairs and chilly-bins, enjoying the day and the spectacular vista which includes the Castlepoint lighthouse.

"This is one of the most unique races in the country where the sea wall becomes the guard rail and the horses' rail is the waters edge," said Mrs Blyth.

"There's a quaint, laid back atmosphere reminiscent of the old days [with] old-fashioned games like a tug of war and three-legged races for the kids."

Betting is allowed at the event but conducted as an equaliser, under which punters are allocated horses at random and tickets are purchased for $2.

"This system keeps the day low-key and enables fun betting," said Mrs Blyth.

A special feature of this year's event will be the opportunity to purchase a NZ Post postage stamp with an image of the beach horse races.

The private-issue commemorative stamps, printed by NZ Post through its Personalised Stamps project, feature the lighthouse and race official Charles White during the 2007 races.

Mrs Blyth said money raised from the stamps would bolster funds for the racing club.