Central Otago Racing Club races once a year in January and great effort is taken to ensure the venue is in tip top condition. The course is regarded as having one of the best racing surfaces around during January. Combine this with the picturesque setting surrounded by trees, Omakau is one of the most popular country courses in the South Island. The Club has more members than any other Club in the Gallop South region â approximately 500, advertising the popularity of their annual race day and the hardworking nature of the committee.
Contact details:
Box 269, Mosgiel
T: 03 489 6233
F: 03 489 3119
E: orc@xtra.co.nz
Contact: Andre Klein (CEO, Gallop South)
www.gallopsouth.co.nz
Wairoa Racing Club holds its annual two day meeting in February. Wairoa RC claims to be âcountry racing at its bestâ. It is small, intimate with great facilities and a friendly picnic atmosphere.
Contact details:
Wairoa Racing Club
Box 33, Wairoa
T: 06 838 6095
F: 06 838 7544
Racing Club Manager: Angela Thomas
The Woodville-Pahiatua Racing Club (Inc) races 4 times a year. There are two Spring meetings in October, Cup Day in January and an Autumn fixture in May. Woodville and Pahiatua were separate Racing Clubs until they amalgamated in 1986. We now have members from all over with the majority from Woodville, Pahiatua and Dannevirke. Woodville racecourse is nestled below the Tararua and Ruahine ranges with windmills standing as sentinels, which has made Woodville âThe Windmill Capital of New Zealandâ
Feature meeting
Woodville Cup Day â Saturday 6 January 2007
Normally held on the first Saturday after New Year. Many ex-locals who have come home for New Year attend, making it a great day for catching up with family and friends. Being summer, there is entertainment on course for the children with an old fashion lolly scramble, later in the day.
The Cup is now in its third year of being over 1600m and this has been well received. The three year olds now have a race over 1400m, to prepare for the Wellington Stakes at Trentham a couple of weeks later.
Contact details:
Woodville-Pahiatua Racing Club (Inc)
P O Box 15
WOODVILLE
T: 06 376 5864
F: 06 376 5422
E: wdvracingclub@xtra.co.nz
Secretary: Stewart McGrail
Racing five times a year at Ascot Park (Invercargill). Invercargill is within easy traveling distance of some beautiful scenery in the Catlins, Fiordland and Stewart Island. So, if you feel like combining some racing action with other tourist attractions, Invercargill is a perfect destination.
Contact details:
Southland Racing Club
PO Box 2, Riverton
T: 03 234 8614
F: 03 234 8114
E: southlandracing@xtra.co.nz
Racing Club Manager: Doug Stuart
nztr says about Cromwell Racecourse
The Cromwell Races (hosted by the Otago Racing Club) have a following arguably unrivalled by any meeting in the South Island. The success of the March fixture led to demand for a second date at the venue and those community led calls have been answered in 2006/07 with a new December meeting. After a long and tumultuous history, the Cromwell Jockey Club closed in the 1980s but the Central Lakes Equestrian Club, who co-ordinate activities at the picturesque course, together with the Otago Racing Club have built the profile of racing in the area up again to almost giddy heights.
Contact details:
Box 269, Mosgiel
T: 03 489 6233
F: 03 489 3119
E: orc@xtra.co.nz
Contact: Andre Klein (CEO, Gallop South) or Elizabeth Williamson (03 445 1746)
www.gallopsouth.co.nz