A day at the races in fine weather
The day dawned fine, the fields for the eight races had only 10 scratchings and the public turned out on Farmer’s Day at the Woodville-Pahiatua Races on Thursday April 19.
After rain the days before the track was assessed as nine in terms of heaviness but as the sun shone it dried to an eight by 2pm. Jockeys commented the course was in good condition with plenty of grass cover.
Racing was delayed for an hour due to the absence of an ambulance to follow the field — both Dannevirke and Woodville were called to the fatal accident at Piripiri, north of Dannevirke.
Time was made up through the afternoon and a good sprinkling of favourites and outsiders had wins.
The Sponsor’s Lounge was full and the crowd enjoyed the hospitality as much as the racing. A heads-and-tails competition resulted in Shaun Hauiti winning four new tyres for his four-wheeler, sponsored by Hewitts Motorcycles.
A bouncy castle and fun races entertained a small group of children.
A visitor was MP Kieran McAnulty who loves horse racing, having been in the industry for many years. He was pleased to reacquaint with the trackside team and to have the odd flutter. He said his involvement in the Ministry of Primary Industries includes horse racing and he is pushing a bill in Parliament to ensure overseas betting agencies pay tax on NZ racing.