Harness Racing New Zealand is excited about Cup and Show Week in November and believes it’s just what Christchurch needs.
Marketing and communications manager Andrew Morris says Cup and Show is always a highlight in the garden city’s social calendar, but this year more so than ever.
“I think one of the crucial things that we’re looking forward to is that it’s a chance for Canterbury to get back on its feet,” he says.
“It’s one of the first opportunities after the earthquakes that we’ll have to bring the local community together for a positive reason. It’s a chance to celebrate the impending summer and Christmas.”
Traditionally, Cup and Show Week signals the start of the party season in Christchurch, which this year is particularly important.
While the public stand at Addington Raceway is being demolished due to earthquake damage, Morris believes it will not have too much of a detrimental effect on the venue during big race days.
“The club is hoping to get a big crowd and they’re sure that everyone will be catered for. Hopefully it will kick start Canterbury again,” he says.
Harness Racing NZ is working closely with Addington Raceway to lift and enhance Show Day on Friday November 11. “We want to get Show Day back to something that it was in the ‘70s and ‘80s. The Show left the showgrounds about 10 or 12 years ago and that day hasn’t done as well at Addington as it did in the past,” Morris says.
“This year they’re going to throw the doors open and it’s going to be free entry. That’s going to allow the club to make it a real family focus day.”
Harness Racing in New Zealand
Morris says harness racing has suffered as a result of the economic recession, just the same as any other industry. However, things are starting to change.
“One thing that’s encouraging is that harness racing has been pretty well managed in recent years. There are a lot of clubs that may have been struggling in the short term, but have got themselves in a secure position in the long term.”
While there are still many challenges within the global economy, Morris says much of the competition in Christchurch for the entertainment dollar has gone, following the earthquakes.
“Harness Racing NZ is an industry leader and Addington is getting itself together. The potential is there to surpass what the Auckland Trotting Club can do successfully, given the available space,” he says. “Down south agricultural is very strong at the moment. Southland is a nursery for harness racing and there are a lot of people who own and train horses down there. We find that when agriculture is strong, harness racing tends to strengthen up too. Hopefully the Rugby World Cup will also bring in opportunities for clubs around the country.”
Harness Racing NZ’s recent AGM saw a number of positives emerge for the industry, including that clubs would be paid more for their race day turnover in the coming season.
The organisation’s education department has been promoting horses and harness racing in schools for the past six years, which Morris says has been great for the industry.
The national programme aims to teach children about how to care for and prepare race horses and includes a range of fun activities for them to undertake.
“In urban areas children are not used to seeing live horses and it helps us break down some of the barriers to racing. We’re not all about gambling. We are a very inclusive, accessible sport that sees all groups prosper alongside each other.”
Harness Racing New Zealand
135 Lincoln Road
Christchurch
T (03) 964 1200
F (03) 964 1205
E admin@hrnz.co.nz
www.hrnz.co.nz
