98 | RACING INDUSTRY Ashburton Raceway T T Kelly Deeks Ashburton a racing and training hub “We feel our proximity to Christchurch puts us in a good place to be that third essential club.” Boasting one of New Zealand’s best dual code racecourses, Ashburton Raceway continues to progress both its main events and its regular race days so members and casual racegoers can enjoy a great day out in comfortable surroundings with a fantastic country atmosphere. The New Zealand racing industry has a long and rich heritage. The industry contributes employment to the equivalent of 14,000 full time jobs and is a major contributor to the country’s economy. Ashburton Raceway also has a proud history in New Zealand’s horse racing landscape, with the Ashburton Racing Club formed in 1878 and the Ashburton Trotting Club formed in 1890. Its wide-open 1500m trotting track is the home of speed, while its 1800m galloping track offers one of the best racing surfaces in New Zealand. Ashburton Raceway offers more than just the race day experience with year-round training facilities and venue hire for any occasion. There is also a hidden gem located on course in the kiosk with the Harness Racing Museum open on trotting club days and displaying years of historic memorabilia. While close to capacity, there is land available to build more training establishments if needed and the raceway has a very ambitious five-year plan it is striving to complete. Ashburton Raceway general manager Jeff Mclaughlin says Ashburton is well placed to be back up to the two major clubs at Riccarton and Addington in the current review of Canterbury Racing clubs. “We feel our proximity to Christchurch puts us in a good place to be that third essential club,” he says. “It’s a matter of progressing and delivering upgrades so we’re not seen to be going backwards in these difficult times, and making sure we don’t lose the relaxed country feel which is our point of difference. The days are gone when thousands of people turned up to the races every Saturday, today they come to the events. That’s where we get the crowds, but we’ve still got to put on a good day for our members and regular racegoers alike who want to be in comfortable surrounds and enjoy the racing. They want and need to feel welcome.” Jeff says the hospitality side of the racing industry is an avenue that is growing for many clubs around the country. Ashburton Raceway is looking to promote its major race days with reserved dining and entertainment areas on offer for the public, members, and sponsors alike. Ashburton Raceway races 17 times a year at its dual code racecourse. Thoroughbred racing kicks off on October 14 with the prestigious Barneswood Farm Stakes Day which is a key lead-in to the 1000 and 2000 Guineas races in Christchurch during Cup Week in November. On Labour Weekend, Ashburton Raceway hosts the Harness ‘Magic Race Day’ event, which highlights eight feature races including the main race, including The Ashburton Flying Stakes worth $50,000. This event is as an important lead up to the New Zealand Cup Week in November. ‘Magic Monday’ was first held last year and was well patronised with more than 100 people upstairs with exclusive, dining, entertainment, and viewing from the balcony. “We want to grow this day going forward, with the quality of races on offer it really is the definitive lead into New Zealand Cup Week,” Jeff says. He says Ashburton Raceway appreciates all the support it receives from local patrons and all others who attend on race day, and the team is committed to delivering a better experience for everyone. “We’re looking to make sure our facilities progress, we must keep driving forward and lifting the standards.” Growing Innovation 0800 488 118 www.agraforum.co.nz • Fix Soil Compaction • Reduce Soil Nitrogen Inputs • Improve Animal Health • Increase Crop Yield and Quality • Reduce Irrigation Water Volumes
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