‘Fingers crossed’ for race day

GLENORCHY

THOSE heading to the Glenorchy Races today had best pack a raincoat and umbrella.

The MetService is forecasting rain, sometimes heavy, with a chance of thunder and hail in the afternoon.

Brylee Percy, secretary of the event’s host, the Lakeside Rugby Club, said a decision on whether to proceed with the 59th edition of the event at the township’s recreation ground today or to postpone it until tomorrow would be made about 9am.

The decision would be posted on the ‘‘Glenorchy Races 2021’’ Facebook page, and on the Otago Daily Times website, Ms Percy said.

‘‘We’ve all got our fingers and toes crossed that it will go ahead.’’

She noted the weather at the head of the lake often differed from that in Queenstown and other parts of the Wakatipu.

The event would follow its classic programme of 10 quirky races, with the possible addition of a kids’ barrel race if enough children turned up.

The event normally attracted about 50 competitors, but she expected fewer this year because many of the horses and riders usually came from local horsetrekking businesses, which had either closed or downsized because of the closed borders.

She also expected the crowd to be smaller than the usual 25003000 punters, not only because of the doubtful weather but because it clashed this year with the Wanaka Rodeo, which was always held on January 2.

The gates are expected to open at 9am, the first race scheduled for two hours later.

Besides the equestrian activities, there would be a lolly scramble and running races for children during the lunch break, and a tugowar for the grownups.

From about 5pm to 7.30pm, a group of local musicians would be the warmup act for Arrowtown band The Cellar Doors.

All proceeds would be distributed to worthy causes and projects in the area, she said.

Entry costs $20 for adults; children are free.