The Tuapeka Harness Racing Club meeting at Forbury Park every Labour weekend is one I look forward to for a few reasons.
Firstly, it usually means I have Monday off. Secondly, it's Sunday afternoon racing in Dunedin.
Thirdly, it usually gets a good crowd along. Some have made their way down through the Manuka Gorge from Gabriel's Gully territory, while others have toddled along the road from their St Clair or St Kilda villas.
Either way, there is always a feel-good factor about the meeting.
Which begs the question - why aren't there more day harness meetings at Forbury Park?
... sweeping the ...
The problem is obvious at the top of those large metal poles scattered around Forbury Park.
The lights.
They are both a blessing and a curse for Forbury Park.
The lights guarantee plenty of racing at Forbury Park - about 23 night meetings a year.
Forbury Park's lights ensure a vital gap in the weekly calendar - Thursday nights - is filled by horses from Southland, Canterbury and Otago having a crack around the 1007m circuit.
One or two more meetings on a Sunday from September to March would be great.
But good luck to Forbury Park trying to snare a date or three off the Southland clubs, which don't race over winter and are as desperate for dates, as it is.
... clouds away
Sunday meetings also have tend to have a ''grass embankment'' feel about them, with kids chasing each other down the back of the embankment while the parents are busy trying to stop seagulls from stealing their potato chip sandwiches.
I'm not sure you would get that same atmosphere at Forbury Park too often.
Other than the seagulls.
While we're on the subject of a pleasant day's racing, last Thursday's meeting at Wingatui turned out pretty darn lovely by the end of it.
You could do worse than follow the winners of the last three races for the rest of the season.
Mark down Princess Brook, Ruby's Rose and Gallant Defender
Lazy Fiver
Another third for the Lazy Fiver, this time with Special Memories. Grrr. Anthony Pritchard has been drawn from the inbox this week.
I have got the Lazy Fiver home before in the Victoria Derby, so I'm relying on the precocious ability of Tarzino to shine through in race 7 at Flemington tomorrow.
This week's question: Name the White Robe Lodge-bred horse which ran third in last year's Melbourne Cup, and will line up again this year. Name, contact number and TAB account details if you have one to the email below.
• Check out Matt's two-minute racing tips video at www.odt.co.nz every Friday
