The Omakau trots are not up to scratch for a special alcohol licence, police say.
For the second successive year, police have opposed an application for a special licence covering the Central Otago Trotting Club's 52nd annual Omakau meeting in early January.
Last year a liquor licence was issued.
The matter will be heard by the Central Otago District Licensing Committee on June 27.
The application was made by the Great Open Ladies Fund, which runs the bars at the event.
It asked for part of the racecourse to be licensed.
About 6000 people were expected at the January 2 event next year.
The races attracted all ages as it was a "family picnic day'', the application said.
Twenty Alexandra Lions Club members would be on the gate and a suitably qualified bar manager and staff would run the bars, the applicants said.
Courtesy coaches would be available.
The applicant outlined steps to encourage the responsible consumption of alcohol and controls to ensure alcohol was not sold to under-age people.
Sergeant Derek Ealson said police opposing the licence had "a number of concerns''.
They were not confident the applicant was experienced in operating licensed premises or in the hospitality industry and there did not appear to be "suitably trained staff'' in support.
"It appears that bars will be staffed by members of the Omakau Ladies Golf Club and not staff trained in the responsible service of alcohol.''
He believed the applicant was trying to have a special licence where the sale, supply and consumption of alcohol would be regulated and an unlicensed area where patrons were invited to bring their own alcohol.
"Police have serious misgivings about this practice and the ability of the licensee to control the environment,'' Sgt Ealson said.
Using community groups as staff "in this day and age is unacceptable''.
Lions club members were listed as security staff but did not have the training or experience to deal with large scale events such as the trots, he said.
Police wanted more information about transport to take drinking punters home from the "remote location'', as drinking and driving was a very real risk, he said.
The hours sought for the licence, from noon to 7pm, half an hour after the last race, were also of concern.
Trotting club president Graham Sinnamon yesterday declined to comment until after the licensing committee has made its decision.
However, in a supporting letter with the application he said the event "has established itself as one of the best picnic family race meetings in Otago''.
"Our aim is that we provide huge amounts of free entertainment for children and adults alike, so they will want to come back next year ... our strategy has been so successful that it has been copied by the NZ Racing Board in creating [the] Summer Festival of Racing.
"We rely heavily on local community organisations to help run our day, from car parking to food stalls to course cleaning and such."
"Last year over 20 local clubs/organisations benefited collectively in excess of $20,000, from either payments from the club for services provided, or in the case of the Omakau Ladies Golf, from running the two bars on course.''
The Omakau trots on January 2 this year was granted a special licence from the licensing committee despite police opposition.
The committee decision said there was no evidence of any issues occurring at past Omakau trots meetings and there was no change to the format of the event.
"The committee recognised the importance of the picnic day to the community and those attending the races, and also the financial benefits to the wider community of the event.''
