Racegoers to be ‘armed’ with credit
An electronic wristband, credited with funds, will be the only means for people to gain admission to the track and to buy food and alcohol at Christmas at the Races this year.
Southland Racing Club president Sean Bellew says the use of the wristbands is a major technological step for the racing industry. They have been introduced to make buying food and alcohol easier for people.
Most of the racegoers at Christmas at the Races are under 40 and a lot of them don’t carry cash, Bellew said.
‘‘We’ve found the demographic of young people is that they trade in plastic [Eftpos cards].’’
Using wristbands should speed up service and reduce queuing numbers by 60 per cent, Bellew said. People in charge of groups in marquees will also have an electronic card to buy alcohol.
Waikato company Awop is providing the wristbands and will have staff at the race meeting. The Awop wristbands have been used at beer and music festivals, Bellew said.
People wanting to attend Christmas at the Races have to buy an admission or raceday package online at Gallop South’s website - gallopsouth.co.nz. - and then they will be sent the wristbands with operating details.
The wristband can be loaded with money through online banking or with Eftpos cards at booths and kiosks on course.
Wristbands will be scanned when racegoers enter the course and each time they buy food and alcohol.
Racegoers with money on wristbands after the last race can have funds trans- ferred into their bank accounts by logging onto the Gallop South website for instructions.
‘‘They will have a month to claim their money,’’ Bellew said.
The administrator said a variety of off-track entertainment would be available to racegoers. A giant television will be attached to the back of the main grandstand for people who have no view of the race track.
Bellew wants this year’s Christmas at the Races to be the best ever.
‘‘When you walk onto the course, you’ll have an eye-popping experience.’’