Heavy track to even up field for Riverton races
One of the biggest days on the Riverton Racing Club calendar has arrived for 2024.
The Riverton Racing Club’s Easter Race Days are always a popular attraction on the calendar and the club hopes this weekend is no exception.
Wet weather in the lead up to race day means the track will be heavy and is likely to even the field somewhat, however, dry weather is forecast for today.
Trainer Kelvin Tyler said the Cup field was a bit weaker than in previous years.
“To be honest, it’s probably one of the weakest fields the club has had, so I imagine they’ll be a bit disappointed because there’s a bit of money up but that’s the way it is. It will still be a great day though.”
Tyler said there were plenty of potential horses to watch.
“We’ve got some good horses, who are a strong chance but we don’t get too ahead of ourselves.”
“There is always a good crowd and it’s always a popular day. The weather isn’t looking too bad so that should help a bit.”
Tyler, an experienced trainer with numerous victories, said track conditions were heavy.
“They’re very heavy at the moment. There’s been a lot of rain about and it will be tough going. It’s going to be survival of the fittest.”
He was pleased the meet had finally arrived.
“I am really excited for it. It’s the highlight of our year so we normally have a pretty good carnival, although I will be relieved when it’s over.”
Today is the main race day, while Monday is a lower grade day, which is still expected to attract plenty of strong horses, Riverton Racing Club president Trev Brown said.
“There’s quite a lot of interest and quite a lot are expected to turn up. There’s quite a few coming down from the North Island for the first time and they’re staying local, so hoping to catch up with them and see why they’ve come down and if they have connections through horses and stuff.”
Brown said it was one of Riverton’s biggest weekends of the year.
“Most of the accommodation places are booked out. The cafes and restaurants always do well and places like Colac Bay are popular too, so it’s a big, exciting weekend for us.”
Brown said the heavy track should mean more even races and he expected some of the lighter horses to do better.
“Donovan Cooper is a very good jockey who has been doing well lately, anything he is riding I would be inclined to favour something like that, a little bit lighter on a wet track, they’ll have a strong chance.”
He was pleased because a lot of the horses from today would be staying on for the Monday, giving two days of exciting action.
Buses and the courtesy van would also be put on to help transport people back to Riverton safely.
Action starts at 12.05pm, with the final race today scheduled for 5.18pm.