Police praise NZ Cup Day crowd
Fashion, a flutter on the horses and a spell of fine weather made for happy punters at Christchurch’s New Zealand Cup Day.
Cars were parked trackside, marquees erected and camp chairs set up as the crowds settled in to soak up the atmosphere at the Riccarton Park Racecourse on Saturday.
The event, a major highlight on the Christchurch social calender, failed to attract a capacity crowd of 18,000. But organisers said ticket revenue was up on last year, when about15,500 attended, and police praised the generally well-behaved crowds.
‘‘It’s be an outstanding day, there’s been a good buzz and a good vibe around the place and I think the crowd has been very well behaved,’’ said Tim Mills, the Canterbury Jockey Club chief executive.
There were 149 horses competing in the 12 thoroughbred races on the day, including the premier event, the 154th Christchurch Casino New Zealand Cup, at 4.20pm. The 3200-metre race was taken out by Gobstopper, a horse trained by Andrew Campbell of Cambridge and ridden by jockey Sam Spratt.
Christchurch man Rob Fielder said he had been coming to Riccarton for New Zealand Cup Day for more than 45 years. The 72-yearold had been a racing commentator and a judge at past events, looking at photo finishes to give the placings.
‘‘It’s the best day of the year, because it’s so full of life, it’s so vital,’’ he said, looking out at the crowd of well-dressed punters from the Club Stand.
Fielder described the fashionistas as oncers – they were there for New Zealand Cup Day, but would not be around for the rest of the year.
‘‘But it still adds to the colours. It’s a vital part of the week,’’ he said.
Christchurch man Michael Stanton took out Best Dressed Man, wearing a blue suit he designed himself and had made by a tailor in France.
Best Dressed Woman was Stephanie Murray, who also designed her outfit, which was made by Lushington Jackets in New Plymouth.
Senior Sergeant Gordon Spite, head of policing at the event, said at 4.30pm there had been just nine arrests, eight of those outside the racecourse grounds.
The arrests were for relatively minor indiscretions, including disorderly and offensive behaviour, trespass, a minor assault of a police officer and breach of a liquor ban area.
Spot fines of $250 were issued to those who breached the liquor ban around the racecourse, and Spite praised organisers for turning away intoxicated people at the gates.
‘‘They haven’t had anything like the level of pre-loading they had last year or the year before, which has been really good,’’ he said.
‘‘All in all, for a crowd this size, it’s been relatively low key.’’
Early on in the day, Harry Parker was standing by the Grand National Stand dressed in a suit his mother had picked for him that morning at 8.30am. The 23-year-old was clutching a fistful of betting stubs in one hand and a plastic cup of Coruba in the other, having just put $70 on the races.
‘‘Basically, the races are a good opportunity for these Christchurch folk to get geared up, have a few drinks and go to town.
‘‘They want to just cut loose,’’ he said.
Andrew Wilkinson and a group of friends had been attending NZ Cup Day for the past six years, booking a car park and setting a marquee up beside the track.
The Christchurch man met his wife, Helen, five years ago at the racecourse, and said because of this it held a special significance for him.
‘‘I reckon it’s one of the best days on the calender for Christchurch events,’’ he said.
‘‘It’s always a great day.’’
* Racing coverage, B section