Fun at the races

WHILE everyone else was slathering on sunscreen in the sweltering heat at the Waikouaiti races yesterday, Alex Gardener was wandering around wearing a woolly hat — a big orange one.

Why? The 34yearold British tourist said it was necessary because he had a habit of getting distracted by the local scenery and wandering off without his wife or family noticing.

‘‘I’m easily identifiable like this. You can see me in a large crowd.

‘‘I get interested in something and I just wander off and go and take some pictures.

‘‘The hat’s useful for everyone else — so they can find me again.’’

He said the hat was a Christmas gift from his wife Katrina Shephard (33), of Hampshire.

The couple said they were having a fantastic time holidaying around New Zealand, and when they arrived in Dunedin at Christmas, they were told they had to attend the Waikouaiti races on New Year’s Day.

‘‘It’s a wonderful family tradition, I’m told.

‘‘And even better today, is that I won the first race and my horse just placed again in the last race,’’ Mr Gardener said.

‘‘Dinner’s on me tonight — but only if we go to McDonald’s.’’

They were among about 2000 people who attended the races in Waikouaiti throughout the day.

PHOTO: CHRISTINE O’CONNOR Runners race for glory during a children’s event at yesterday’s Waikouaiti races. More from the races

Sun and fun . . . About 2000 people attended the races at Waikouaiti yesterday.

PHOTOS: CHRISTINE O’CONNOR Red nose day . . . Katrina Shephard puts sunscreen on partner Alex Gardener’s nose.

Another year older . . . Emma Pain (12), of Dunedin, celebrates her birthday with cake.

Money in hand . . . Punters line up to place their bets.

Watching, not working . . . Former Waikouaiti race clerk Ray Pledger (81), of Dunedin, still enjoys the New Year’s Day event as a spectator. He was race clerk of the event for about 40 years.