Hurunui’s historic racecourse comes alive

Part of the large 5000 plus crowd attending the Hurunui Race and Gala Day held at the historic race track on Medbury Road. PHOTO: JOHN COSGROVE

Ruby Smolenski 8, driving Storm leads the field back to the birdcage after winning the kidzcart 300m race. PHOTO: JOHN COSGROVE

Fun at the Hurunui Race and Gala Day held at the historic race track on Medbury Road. PHOTO: JOHN COSGROVE

Laurie Bethell aboard Prince leads the field back into the birdcage after winning the Medbury Handicap Cup novice race at the Hurunui Race and Gala Day held at the historic race track on Medbury Road. PHOTO: JOHN COSGROVE

Miles Winter, opens his umbrella as members of the Canterbury MG Owners Club get ready for the racing at the Hurunui Race and Gala Day held at the historic race track on Medbury Road. PHOTO: JOHN COSGROVE

The large field for the fashion in the field competition assembles at the Hurunui Race and Gala Day . PHOTO: JOHN COSGROVE

On parade . . , the men wait patiently for their turn at the fashion in the field competition at the Hurunui Race and Gala Day. PHOTO: JOHN COSGROVE

April Clauson 3 is lead around the pony ride course by Georgia Kelso (left) and Kathy Clyma of the Hurunui Pony Club at the Hurunui Race and Gala Day . PHOTO: JOHN COSGROVE

Hurunui Race and Gala Day committee chair Aly Youngman herds the large number of entrants in the fashion in the field competition into place for the judging at the at the Hurunui Race and Gala Day .PHOTO: JOHN COSGROVE

Mum and daughter Joy Wickham of Christchurch, and Elizabeth Miller of Balcain, prepare for the fashion competition at the Hurunui Race and Gala Day. PHOTO: JOHN COSGROVE

Scarlett Mackintosh 4, of Amberley rides on a pony at the Hurunui Race and Gala Day. PHOTO: JOHN COSGROVE

Long way . . .Karen Cameron of Waipara (left) with her mother-in-law 79 year-old Florence Cameron of Fort William in Scotland, prepare for their entry into the fashion in the field competition at the Hurunui Race and Gala Day. PHOTO: JOHN COSGROVE

Race three winner Rosa Bell (right) leads home Seth Hill in the Waiau Racing Cup for pacers at the Hurunui Race and Gala Day. PHOTO: JOHN COSGROVE

Tytan Barltrop 6, of Kaiapoi plays on one of the inflatables at the Hurunui Race and Gala Day. PHOTO: JOHN COSGROVE

Hurunui district Mayor and Hurunui Race and Gala Day committee member Marie Black helps prepare trophies in the birdcage. PHOTO: JOHN COSGROVE

Mother and daughter . . . Hannah and Nicky Langley of Mouth Lyford enjoy the attractions at the Hurunui Race and Gala Day. PHOTO: JOHN COSGROVE

Picklets anyone . . .Members of the New Brighton Travel Club enjoying the action at the Hurunui Race and Gala Day were (from left) Shirley Smith, Judy MacMarton and Lilly Chamberlin. PHOTO: JOHN COSGROVE

Enjoying the day . . . Members of the Richmond Club’s travel section (from left) Peter Henry, Trish Daly and Anna Brassei check their tickets after one of the races at the Hurunui Race and Gala Day . PHOTO: JOHN COSGROVE

Fashion Fun . . . Out and about at the Hurunui Race and Gala Day were fashionista’s (from left) Kate Lee, Leene Riekkola (who later won the women’s section of the fashion in the field competition) and David Sims, all of Christchurch. PHOTO: JOHN COSGROVE

Welcome break from the heat . . . Nicola Bamford of Hawarden treats her sons Blake 3 and Fletcher 2 to an ice treat to cool down while at the Hurunui Race and Gala Day . PHOTO: JOHN COSGROVE

Monty Lissington 4 of Rotherham plays on one of the inflatable attractions at the at the Hurunui Race and Gala Day . PHOTO: JOHN COSGROVE

Flynn Crean leads the field home in the first round of the the station challenge, the Waitohi Stakes Handicap Cup, at the Hurunui Race and Gala Day held at the historic race track on Medbury Road. PHOTO: JOHN COSGROVE

Ruby Smolenski 8, driving Storm wins the kidzcart 300m race. PHOTO: JOHN COSGROVE

Down the home straight . . . The field heads for home in the second station challenge race at the Hurunui Race and Gala Day. PHOTO: JOHN COSGROVE

Hurunui Race and Gala Day committee chair Aly Youngman says last Saturday’s race day had a real country flavour to it.

‘‘The weather was great — not too hot or blowing, unlike three years ago.

‘‘The racing was fantastic and everyone

dressed up for the day. We were very happy to see the large numbers of campervans, and travel club buses, who turned up to enjoy the racing.’’

After a break of three years, due to covid stymieing the two-yearly event in2022, Aly says the committee was pleased to see more than 5000 people turn out for a day of entertainment and unique races.

It was a very busy schedule of races involving pacers and trotters - both big and small, heavy horses, thoroughbred horses, and the always popular and competitive station horse races, and a mystery horse race.

In-between there were kidzcart races and lolly scrambles plus a large number of stalls to visit.

A large field assembled for the fashionin-the-field competition, with over 50 entrants in the three classes — women's, men's and children.

The women’s class was won by Leene Riekkola of Christchurch, who said she was enjoying her day in the sun.

Among the field was 79-year-old Scotswoman, Florence Cameron, who entered on a whim.

‘‘I’m visiting from Fort William, and staying with my son and daughter-in-law in Waipara. I had entered a fashion competition in Australia recently where I had such a lot of fun, I decided today to enter the show here,’’ she said.

Retired Hawarden Fire Brigade support officer Hamish Hartnell said it was a great day and a big fundraiser for all the brigades in the district.

‘‘It’s great to see so many people from the community out here supporting the day, and helping to fundraise for the volunteer brigades in Waiau, Culverden, Hawarden and Waikari. We really appreciate it,’’ he said.

Hurunui Mayor Marie Black, who is also an organising committee member, spent her day helping arrange the presentation of trophies for the winners in the birdcage.

‘‘It’s a great thrill to be here, and the committee and all the many helpful volunteers have put on a great show as they help to keep the history of this community event alive.’’

She has been involved with the committee since 2010, and every meeting she has attended has exceeded their expectations.

‘‘People come here for a fun day, and we turn it on for them, while raising funds for our community.’’