Cup Day crowd more flashy, less trashy

New Zealand Cup Day fashion

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CARYS MONTEITH/The Press Zoom

Caroline Champion wearing a self made outfit with a Japanese influence.

Cup Day 2009

IAIN MCGREGOR

CELEBRATION: A jubilant racegoer pops the bubbly, while others fail to share his enthusiasm, and, above right, two young women provide mutual support.

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Christchurch's big day at the races saw a drop in drunken behaviour, a surge in fashion entrants and a Canterbury-trained winner of the New Zealand Trotting Cup.

The organisers praised spectators yesterday as tougher alcohol measures, brought in after Addington Raceway's liquor licence was threatened, appeared to have worked.

Addington Raceway chief executive Shane Gloury said he was impressed with the crowd, despite a smaller turnout of about 22,000, compared with 25,000 last year.

"We're very pleased with the way the crowd has reacted to the responsible-drinking message we put out there," he said.

Measures introduced this year included a ban on people bringing in their own alcohol and drinks limited to two per service.

Those on the Lindauer Lawn were given bottled water and access to refills.

Gloury said more responsibility was put back on the individual.

"We wanted everyone to go out there and enjoy themselves, and they certainly did, but we wanted to let them know there were limits and measures put in place," he said.

"We expected certain standards of behaviour and I think in 99.9 per cent of instances the crowd has respected that."

Senior Sergeant Rob Patterson said there were no major incidents.

"A couple of people were taken away because they had had too much to drink, but that's nothing as far as we're concerned."

Police said last night that three racegoers had been arrested.

St John Ambulance spokesman Rodney Farrant said the day's casualties were not alcohol-related.

"Everybody was what you would call a genuine sober patient, which is almost surprising in some respects," he said.

Others said the cooler, cloudy weather had helped stem alcohol-related problems, leaving the racing and fashion to take centre stage.

Canterbury-trained Monkey King stormed down the home straight to take the $1 million New Zealand Trotting Cup at the third attempt. It was the fourth cup-winning drive for Methven's Ricky May, who timed Monkey King's final surge to perfection.

In the fashion stakes, there were 30 per cent more entrants in the men's and women's competitions this year. About 400 people paraded in their finery, with judges saying the prevalence of bright colours was a recession antidote.

Mother-of-three Cindy Randall remodelled a pink and orange bridesmaid's dress she wore eight years ago to be the best-dressed woman.

Sam Britten, son of the late motorcycle designer and inventor John Britten, won best-dressed man in a fawn suit and teal shirt.

Racegoer Estelle McIntyre said the police and security presence was more obvious this year.

"It keeps it more sophisticated and not so trashy."

Cup Day regular Chay Everest said the changes made the day more "comfortable" for spectators. However, he believed alcohol prices at the venue encouraged more drinking before the event.

On-course turnover was expected to be about $2 million, down on last year's $2.16m, while off-course turnover was expected to be about 8 per cent higher than last year's $3.78m.

- © Fairfax NZ News