With our synthetic track taking shape at Awapuni and news of a long-awaited redevelopment at Trentham, these are exciting times for members and supporters of the five racing clubs that are a part of the RACE Group.
But with the change to orange traffic light settings, we’re most delighted to once again be able to fully open up the ground floor of both of our members stands on racedays, effective from this Sunday at Awapuni. It’s been three long months since we’ve been able to do this so if you’re eligible to take advantage of our hospitality in these spaces, then please do so. The spaces that will be open again are as follows:-
Awapuni
Love Racing Lounge (Owners)
Post-race Owners Shout
Birdcage Bar
Trentham
Champagne Lounge (Gold members)
Post-race Owner’s Shout
Telford Pub
We hope to see you trackside soon!
BRIGHT FUTURE FOR TRENTHAM
Racing in the capital will go from strength to strength in the coming years, with planned redevelopment set to enhance the position of the not-for-profit owners of the Trentham Racecourse.
Home of the Wellington Racing Club since 1906, the Racecourse is one of six metropolitan tracks earmarked by New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing as a preferred location in its long-term planning and strategy documentation. And while the venue is famed for its summer carnival on the champagne turf, it’s no secret that spectator amenities are beginning to slip behind what is being offered at other key racing and sports venues in New Zealand and Australia.
Thankfully the Racecourse is ideally positioned to take advantage of the relaxation in planning rules for sites adjacent to railway stations, hence it’s selection late last year on the shortlist for Kainga Ora’s $1 billion Infrastructure Acceleration Fund. The Upper Hutt City Council submitted the redevelopment proposal to Kainga Ora as one of four options for future growth within its boundaries, and with a government decision imminent we are hopeful of a stunning transformation that will secure the future of racing at Trentham for decades to come.
Having partnered with prominent local developers Gillies Group to deliver the project, the aim is to provide world class racing facilities and feature race meetings with stake money unheard of in this part of the country. This involves a complete redevelopment of the public areas of the Racecourse to include apartments, shops and community amenities, along with suitable corporate hospitality and raceday services to maximise the appeal of the entire site.
RACE Chairman Paul Humphries is excited by the prospect. “This is the best opportunity to futureproof the Trentham Racecourse while fulfilling our obligations to the community to be a vibrant and prosperous neighbour”, he said. “As a not-for-profit racing organisation we will always put our sport first, but we also feel that as owners of the Racecourse we have a moral obligation to safeguard what is one of the largest green spaces in Upper Hutt.”
Gillies Group has a track record of successful development in Upper Hutt, with Malcolm Gillies and Kevin Melville viewing the Trentham Racecourse as an ideal site for the next wave of growth. “We’re delighted to be partnering with RACE as they take thoroughbred racing in the capital to the next level,” said Malcolm. “This will be a long and comprehensive development of a kind that the city has never seen before, and we can’t wait to get started”.
Upper Hutt City Mayor Wayne Guppy is a long time supporter of racing, and currently holds the position of President of the Wellington Racing Club. “This is a huge opportunity for both the city and the club” he commented, “We look forward to the decision from Kainga Ora with interest, and of course if successful then all standard resource consenting processes will still take place.
UPCOMING EVENTS
This Sunday at Awapuni is the last meeting at the track until July, with three events being transferred to enable the synthetic track build to proceed at pace. The Rangitikei, Manawatu, Masterton and Wellington clubs are all hosting events at Trentham, with the Wellington Winter Racing Carnival seeing five events take place - the most the track has staged in winter in almost 20 years. The culmination of the carnival on July 16 is the 50th Wellington Steeplechase to take place on the infield figure of eight track.
April 24 Awapuni: Manawatu ITM ANZAC Mile
May 21 Trentham: Rangitikei Gold Cup and Manawatu ITM Jumps Day – Rangitikei Racing Club Hospitality at Trentham
May 28 Trentham: Limoncello Raceday presented by Masterton Racing Club
June 2 Woodville: Feilding Jockey Clubs Tradies Day
June 11 Trentham: Manawatu Racing Clubs On tour Raceday
June 18 Trentham: Christmas Winterfest Raceday presented by Platinum Homes Taranaki
July 9 Marton Jockey Clubs Marton Business House Winterfest Raceday
July 16 Trentham: Wellington Steeplechase Day – presented by Grant Plumbing
Yours in Racing,
Tim Savell | Chief Executive Officer