10 | T T to page 12 T T Hugh de Lacy Ruakaka a winter magnet for trainers The sand-based soil profile at Ruakaka offers an ideal surface for winter racing and is the venue for ITM/GIB Northern Winter Championships REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT Ruakaka Racecourse The pinnacle of the northern region ITM/ GIB Winter racing championships arrives at the Whangarei Racing Club on Saturday, July 15 this year. The club’s seaside location at Ruakaka Beach gives the racecourse not only a picturesque view but more importantly offers a strategic advantage to winter thoroughbred racing trainers. That’s because of the sand-based soil profile which makes it the fastest-draining track in New Zealand, with a unique and ideal surface compared to the heavy loam soils of other regions. It’s this winter racing surface that has the ITM/GIB Northern Winter Championships attract the leading stables from the Waikato north to compete in the five $60,000 finals. The championships draw in horses across the age range, with specific finals for two- and three-year-olds, as well as races for older sprinters and stayers. The Whangarei Racing Club holds ten meetings a year at its Ruakaka course, the best winter track in the country, attracting top horses especially to its six Saturday winter race meetings. Last year Sharp’n’Smart and Lickety Split won races at Ruakaka before heading to Australia to win in the best company at Sydney and Melbourne. As the only active racing club north of Auckland Harbour, the Whangarei club celebrates its regional role by running special cups named for Northland locations, such as the Northpine Waipu Cup, Harcourts Tai Tokerau Cup, Alibaba’s Flying Carpets Kerikeri Cup, and the Dargaville Racing Club’s Northland Cup. The 50ha racecourse site is zoned as the Ruakaka Equine Environment, and it holds great potential for development within parameters that ensure ongoing racing and training activity. “In time the club’s unique sea views and beachside location will attract a joint venture partner to establish a function centre that includes accommodation for the rapidly expanding Marsden Point developments,” club officer Bill Colgan says. “The club is highly appreciative of the protection the Ruakaka Equine Environment gives to ensure horse activity is possible on land that would otherwise be snapped up by commercial interests for intensive high-quality housing development or retirement villages, given its potential as the best seaside location in the region.” Insurance Brokers specialising in Commercial Insurance. Proudly supporting the Whangarei Racing Club. Matt Mathias: 021 786 233 | Sam Currie: 027 581 7581 contact@mcinsurance.co.nz | www.mcinsurance.co.nz
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