| Author | Post |
|---|
jaybee2003
Member
| Joined: | 26 Aug 2006 |
| Location: | |
| Posts: | 273 |
|
Posted: 25 Mar 2007 09:37 am |
|
Saturday, March 24th 2007 saw the return of the Castlepoint Racing Clubs' Beach Race Day at Castlepoint, Wairarapa, an hour or so drive from Masterton. Forget about horse racing being the 'Sport of Kings' - this is a race day with a difference. There's no standing on ceremony here, no top hats, no suits, instead jandals, shorts, sunhats, sand, sea and sun (and sunblock!) are the order of the day. It's all about fun, a family picnic day with a few cold ones and a wee flutter at the same time.
The surf line is the running rail, the sand dunes and beach front are the grandstand. Race day is dictated by the tide and some years it is a real race against the tide to finish racing before high tide hits in.
The race day has a long history. The first official meeting was held in 1872 and the Club is still going strong, despite not being able to race since 2002 due to exposed rocks on the beach making it too risky for both horse and jockey. Since a recent million dollar upgrade to the seawall, the sand has returned, covering the rocks - and the plans for Race Day were on.
Castlepoint is usually a sleepy little seaside village, very picturesque and a popular weekend retreat for many Wellingtonians - and Masterton folk too. I am Sec/Treas of the Club and was asked to take a few pics to share on here - so - here we go from the beginning. A pic of Castlepoint as it usually is - a fabulous beach with an historic lighthouse, great fishing, great surfing and best of all - uncrowded.
Attached Image (viewed 64 times):
|
jaybee2003
Member
| Joined: | 26 Aug 2006 |
| Location: | |
| Posts: | 273 |
|
Posted: 25 Mar 2007 09:45 am |
|
The first race was due to kick off around 12 noon. The crowds had started arriving. And what a crowd it was! This year saw a record crowd - more than twice the number of people we were expecting.
Traffic was lined up for hours as car parks were found and people made their way down to the beach front, some people reportedly getting so frustrated with the delays and traffic, turning around and going home.
I was flat out in my little office, doing what needed doing, relatively unaware of the numbers in the crowd. It was a shock to realise that before the racing had even begun we had sold out of race books. Something we never dreamt would happen. We then started to sense how big Saturday's race day was going to be.
The view to the right of the Sec's office....
Attached Image (viewed 68 times):
|
jaybee2003
Member
| Joined: | 26 Aug 2006 |
| Location: | |
| Posts: | 273 |
|
Posted: 25 Mar 2007 09:48 am |
|
And to the left...
The single road along the beach front is closed for Race Day, permission we have to apply to the Council for, but a necesary move to ensure the safety of punters. Vehicles, children, crowds, a festival atmosphere and horses aren't a good combination.
Attached Image (viewed 66 times):
|
jaybee2003
Member
| Joined: | 26 Aug 2006 |
| Location: | |
| Posts: | 273 |
|
Posted: 25 Mar 2007 09:58 am |
|
Originally the only horses at the races were Station Hacks - work horses from neighbouring farms, the wagers being bottles of rum. Eventually, the Club was registered and the race day licenced. We now run a licenced Tote and the bulk of the horses are racing thoroughbreds.
Trainers will often bring their horses out to the beach for the week, a holiday for the horses they say. A change of environment, the sand being a good training ground at a time of the year when the ground is very dry and hard, and a change of pace for the jockeys too. A week at the beach with the bonus of a fun race day as well.
Zooming in on the photo above, showing one of the mounted Club Stewards clearing the public off the sand in preparation for the first race. In line with tradition, the first race is a Station Hack Race, some of the horses having worked that morning, perhaps mustering in sheep, or on a farm round, checking water.
Down by the exposed sand dunes and vehicles you can see the first of the horses and riders gathering for the start of the race. Which gives you an idea of the distances raced. The Hack race is the shortest race at 800 metres.
Attached Image (viewed 74 times):
|
jaybee2003
Member
| Joined: | 26 Aug 2006 |
| Location: | |
| Posts: | 273 |
|
Posted: 25 Mar 2007 10:11 am |
|
There are no fortunes to be made at Castlepoint Race Day. We run equalisator betting over the 8 races. Equalisator betting is much like a lucky dip. You don't chose the horse you wish to bet on, instead, tickets are sold at $1 each, each ticket bearing a number. Before racing starts you will be informed which horse that number represents and which horse your bet is on. For your $1 investment, if you happen to have backed the winner, you can expect a payout of around $8 - 9. A little fun flutter.
A photo of the punters around the Tote. We sold out of tickets on some races, so some punters missed out on laying a bet, but one positive with that, it meant for the remaining races, the crowds were queueing up well before the Tote opened for the next race.
Attached Image (viewed 70 times):
|
jaybee2003
Member
| Joined: | 26 Aug 2006 |
| Location: | |
| Posts: | 273 |
|
Posted: 25 Mar 2007 10:17 am |
|
Bearing in mind the informality of the race day, a photo of the Judges vehicles - a farm ute and farm bike suffice, the Clerk of the Course and his horse are more traditional, and this shows the finish line marker in the surf.
There are no photo finishes, or video reruns. While the racing is competitive and the judging is serious, it isn't taken to that level, which adds to the relaxed feeling of fun and goodwill.
Attached Image (viewed 66 times):
|
jaybee2003
Member
| Joined: | 26 Aug 2006 |
| Location: | |
| Posts: | 273 |
|
Posted: 25 Mar 2007 10:31 am |
|
The winners of the Station Hack race - in which there were 20 horses entered, the event required being run over 2 heats this year. As the tide was still on its way out, there was no way we could have safely run 20 horses down the beach together.
Trainers and horses came from as far away as Cambridge, Hawkes Bay, Wanganui, Otaki, Wellington, Manawatu and of course, locals from Masterton. One Wanganui trainer brought down 17 horses for race day. This year saw Rat Tat race, who has won in the big races at Ellerslie and Trentham - a horse who has won a few hundred thousand dollars. Sometimes we see some very 'big' horses at our 'wee' race day. I probably should have mentioned earlier, our race day is an annual event each March.
This year I met a group of spectators who had come all the way down from Auckland for the race weekend, having heard of the races and wanting to experience it for themselves.
Attached Image (viewed 62 times):
|
jaybee2003
Member
| Joined: | 26 Aug 2006 |
| Location: | |
| Posts: | 273 |
|
Posted: 25 Mar 2007 10:33 am |
|
| Not everyone at race day is interested in backing the horses, so in between races, mostly for the children and to relieve the mums and dads for a while, we run children's games - egg and spoon, three legged sack races, running races etc etc. Attached Image (viewed 66 times):
|
jaybee2003
Member
| Joined: | 26 Aug 2006 |
| Location: | |
| Posts: | 273 |
|
Posted: 25 Mar 2007 10:37 am |
|
Once the Hack Race is over, the thoroughbreds hit the beach and the professional jockeys show how it is done, with the opportunity for the non professional to compete against them too - a challenge many enjoy. Thes races are longer, in line with 'normal' race meets - 1000 metres, 1200, 1400, 1600 - the finish line extending further and further down the beach.
Attached Image (viewed 59 times):
|
jaybee2003
Member
| Joined: | 26 Aug 2006 |
| Location: | |
| Posts: | 273 |
|
Posted: 25 Mar 2007 10:52 am |
|
Fashion has its place on race day - "The Best Dressed for a Day at Castlepoint Beach Races", spotters moving through the crowd selecting punters of their choosing to enter. The prize being a Bubbly Weekend for two.
Not everyone is comfortable being out there in front of the crowd, and many turn down the opportunity, but eventually around 20 contestants are found. With a Compere to manage proceedings, the judging is largely dictated by crowd applause.
Attached Image (viewed 67 times):
|
jaybee2003
Member
| Joined: | 26 Aug 2006 |
| Location: | |
| Posts: | 273 |
|
Posted: 25 Mar 2007 10:57 am |
|
| The major race of the day is the Castlepoint Cup, this year won by Gold Memba, pictured here with his Trainer, and jockey, from Cambridge. The Cup is the only presentation made on the beach itself, with the Cup presented by the Race sponsors. Attached Image (viewed 60 times):
|
jaybee2003
Member
| Joined: | 26 Aug 2006 |
| Location: | |
| Posts: | 273 |
|
Posted: 25 Mar 2007 11:00 am |
|
| The last event of the day is a Big Dig for the children - any child under 100. One of the farm trucks, filled with sand and a couple of hundred dollars worth of coins, drives down the beach, spreading the sand and money - the children all safely contained behind a rope... Attached Image (viewed 57 times):
|
jaybee2003
Member
| Joined: | 26 Aug 2006 |
| Location: | |
| Posts: | 273 |
|
Posted: 25 Mar 2007 11:03 am |
|
The rope is dropped and the Big Dig is on.....
It was a great day, one of the best.
I hope you enjoyed your virtual visit to Race Day 2007!.
Here's to Race Day 2008.
Attached Image (viewed 54 times):
|
David Harcourt
Administrator
| Joined: | 12 Jul 2006 |
| Location: | |
| Posts: | 1074 |
|
Posted: 25 Mar 2007 08:11 pm |
|
Thank you, Jo.
A wonderful description of what was obviously a wonderful day!
There's a big spread in the Dominion-Post today which I will send to you.
|
David Harcourt
Administrator
| Joined: | 12 Jul 2006 |
| Location: | |
| Posts: | 1074 |
|
Posted: 26 Mar 2007 07:12 pm |
|
PS
Any talk of doing this again next year?
Any thought of you doing this again next year?
|
jaybee2003
Member
| Joined: | 26 Aug 2006 |
| Location: | |
| Posts: | 273 |
|
Posted: 26 Mar 2007 08:28 pm |
|
Thank you David!
Yes, providing the beach remains as wonderful as it is, yes, March 2008 Races are on. No date set as yet. I'll let you know as soon as it is set. It is relatively easy to set the date - it's dictated by the tide. We need a day where low tide will coincide with the middle race. Then we need to have the race date approved by NZ Racing.
Will I be doing this next year? I have been told by the Club I am doing this for life and that I have no choice in the matter! This year, our usual handicapper was overseas and unable to do the handicapping for us, so we used Masterton Racing Club's handicapper.
I am told he was making noises about his experience in working alongside me, noises about getting me on board his Club, and I was bailed up by a few Stewards after race day and forbidden to take it on...(not that I can time wise - nor that I have even been asked!). But then......I wonder how much they pay...I am sure their position isnt voluntary....
|
jaybee2003
Member
| Joined: | 26 Aug 2006 |
| Location: | |
| Posts: | 273 |
|
Posted: 26 Mar 2007 08:29 pm |
|
Out of interest - an email received just now - one of many...from a response to an enquiry from a member of the public from Wgtn I think...
Thanks for the reply.
Yes we did make it along with what looked like a lot of other people
- good weather, good turn out!
Congrats on running a really solid event my family and I really
really enjoyed it. Such a lovely place and friendly people :-).
We took a picnic and it was fabulous sitting on the beach watching
and listening to the horses power past.
One tiny tiny recommendation for next time for the Racing Club would
be a few more toilets? Cues were large!!!!!
Whens the next one planned?
|
jaybee2003
Member
| Joined: | 26 Aug 2006 |
| Location: | |
| Posts: | 273 |
|
Posted: 26 Mar 2007 08:41 pm |
|
There was a wee hiccup on the day. There is no power on the beach front itself for the Anouncers sound caravan to plug into, so we borrow power from the local store, running it across the road.
Mid races, the power blew out. No power for the store, no cookers, no EFTPOS - no loudspeakers for us, no hand held radios, no announcing...silence. Fortunately it didn't happen during a race, but was between races, and with electricians to hand on the day, the store power was restored asap. We then plugged into a neighbouring holiday house to 'borrow' their power. A thank you and need for compensation I have added to my list that needs addressing at our post race day meeting this Thursday.
I don't think the crowd in general even noticed the silence, they partied on happily, but it sure did cause us a few anxious moments. Then the public toilets blocked.....time and time again. Again fortunately, one of our sponsors is a plumber, and we had portaloos around the beach too, but we had calculated on maybe 2000 - 5000 people max, not the crowd of possibly 8000 that turned up. There were more than twice the number of public through the gate than have ever attended before. Little hiccups all in the running of the day, ones we will need to give some thought about before next race day.
|
Current time is 03:25 am |
|
|
