High stakes at races
At the Thames Jockey Club’s annual race meeting in Te Aroha, the weather held the highest stakes.
After three consecutive cancellations at the club’s regular stomping ground at Thames Racecourse due to poor conditions, organisers placed their bets on neighbouring Te Aroha. And as the races began shortly after midday yesterday, the rural Waikato town stayed dry.
Held annually at the start of each year, the Thames Jockey Club’s race meeting has come up against wet weather conditions for the past three years, and the club has faced challenges with the track and services.
In July 2018, it was announced that the club’s Interislander Summer Festival would instead be held at Te Aroha Racecourse.
Club president Kevin Hansen was confident that it was the right thing to do.
‘‘By being here I think we’ve opened up to more trainers and more owners, which means more horses and hopefully more punters,’’ he said. ‘‘We didn’t want to take the risk by having it over there but I think we’ve done the right thing by having it here and it’s certainly created a lot of interest.’’
Hansen said Thames residents were disappointed in not having a race meeting for the past three years but he said the racecourse, in Parawai Rd, was a flood zone.
Sarah Murdock and her family, from Waitakaruru, usually attend the annual event in Thames.
She said the move away from Thames Racecourse was a bit upsetting but she understood the club’s reasoning.
And, despite having to drive a further 30 minutes to Te Aroha, she said the event was always a ‘‘nice day out’’.
Eileen Hickey, from Te Aroha, owner of competing horse Elle Cee, said although she was very sorry for Thames, their arrival was also beneficial to the district.
‘‘It’s great for Te Aroha,’’ she said. ‘‘This is one of the best tracks in the country.
‘‘I’m very sad for them but it’s nice to be able to see them still have their meeting – and that’s what it’s all about.’’