Harness racing meeting promises a fun day out

The Kā piti Coast Harness Racing Club holds its¯annual harness race meeting at the Otaki racecourse early ¯next year in conjunction with the Otaki Mā ori Racing Club as a dual code race meeting.

“It is anticipated that there will be six harness races on the programme, with a potential eight galloping races to follow, so possibly a total of 14 races on a family fun-filled day of excitement,” Kāpiti Coast Harness Racing Club president Chris Craddock said.

“This will be the only harness racing to take place in the Wellington region this season, and it will be harness racing at its very best on a wonderful sole of grass, resulting

from an extensive grass resewing programme and track drainage work undertaken by the Ōtaki Māori Racing Club in recent years.

“The feature harness race is the $20,000 Ō taki Cup for the highest graded pacers, from a standing start over 3000 metres.

“The other feature race on the harness programme is the $15,000

Wellington Trotting Cup for horses with a trotting gait, from a standing start over 3000 metres.”

Craddock will have his 5-year-old horse Raging Whitebait racing on the day. The horse is trained in Bulls by Doug Gale who will have a team of five horses at the meeting. Craddock expected his horse to “give a bold showing”.

Ō taki harness trainer Wendy Devenport will also have horses racing on the day. Uncle Drew from Devenport’s stable is a grass track specialist, “and should give a good account of himself”, the trainer said.

She added, “Watch out for The Elite Athlete who could be a smoky,” and who placed third on this day at Ō taki a year ago.

Levin harness trainer Murray Gibbs will also be represented with his racing team, with all expected to be primed for the race meeting.

Craddock encouraged people to, “Come early, bring a picnic basket, and enjoy a day in the sun on the grassed area on one of the most picturesque race courses in New Zealand.

“There will be plenty of free activities for the children, including bouncy castles, face painting, a drawing competition, fun run events, treasure hunts, lolly scramble, tug of war and much more.”