Trotting showpiece to be on world stage

The Kaikoura Cup has gone global.

The iconic Kaikoura Trotting Club's annual race meeting has caught the attention of United States television journalist and harness racing celebrity Heather Vitale.

Vice-president Grant Anderson says Heather has contacted the club to say she will attend the two-day race meeting at South Bay Racecourse, Kaikoura, on Sunday and Monday, November 3 and 4.

''She has a big following in harness racing in America and she has heard about our event and wishes to come to the Kaikoura Cup.

''She's probably seen the TV footage and thought, 'wow, that's unbelievable, I want to go'. So I think we will get enormous coverage in America this year.''

Grant says the Kaikoura Cup already has a strong following in Australia, where it is screened on Sky One.

''It's a special day and we've had a few Australian horses over the years because they come over and want a run before the New Zealand Cup.''

Australian-owned horse Arden Rooney won the Kaikoura Cup in 2014 and 2015.

Last year's winner was Spankem, which was trained by well-known Canterbury-based trainers Mark Purdon and Natalie Rasmussen.

This year's race meeting will feature six races on the Sunday, followed by 10 on the Monday, including two Group 2 races with $50,000 in prize money for the winners.

The race meeting is just a week before the New Zealand Cup meeting at Addington, Christchurch, on Tuesday, November 12.

''I think it will work out better for us because there will be people who want to give their horse a proper race before the New Zealand Cup,'' Grant says.

''There's nothing like race fitness.''

This year there is a race meeting in Methven on Friday, November 1, so the Kaikoura Trotting Cup is offering extra incentives to lure horses to Kaikoura for Sunday's races.

The first five placed horses will receive prize money, while the remaining horses will receive a $100 travel subsidy to assist with expenses to attend on Sunday only.

''Monday is such a big day and it won't be affected. But offering a little bit extra on Sunday just offers an extra incentive to come to Kaikoura,'' Grant says.

''Everything costs money these days, so anything we can do to try to increase the numbers of horses, the better it is for the club.''

Entry is by gold coin on Sunday, with the proceeds going to support the Kaikoura Community Pool.

Sunday's race meeting will end with a social function in the club's main building.

There is a $10 admission for the big day on Monday, with under-18s free, ''to see New Zealand's best horses up close''.

There will be a bouncy castle for the children and food stalls, and on-course entertainment throughout the day between the races.