Racing Day in New Zealand is an event that brings people together – it’s affordable and sometimes the smaller towns offer the best experience. Great for travellers looking for a local experience. We spent an enjoyable afternoon at the Richmond Harness Racing yesterday. (Btw, Harness Racing is is a form of horse racing in which the horses race at type of trot, pulled by a two-wheeled cart called a sulky.) – isn’t this horse magnificent!
Some folks had bought their own supply of bubbly and food but there were plenty of food stalls as well. Lordy, there were some sights and not just the four-legged variety! Style and taste versus total fashion failure. These ladies got it right though.
We strolled over to the stables and struck it lucky when one of the trainers kindly led his horse out of it’s stall for a photo shot with Michael. Just as I was about to click the camera, “Royal City” bought his hoof down on Michael’s foot. We had to delete that photo. This one’s good – all is forgiven.
Harness Racing is incredibly atmospheric. Before the start of each a horse race, the runners are paraded in the birdcage – the enclosure in front of the grandstand. This is where everyone gets a chance to assess all the horses before placing their bets. If a horse is badly behaved in the birdcage, chances are they won’t race well.
I had forgotten the old-timers of my childhood, permanent fixtures at these events – blokes with history leaning on the bar, big bellies straining at the effort – these great characters never die and they’ve seen it all . Another perfect day in paradise folks.
