Omakau gearing up for their big day

Central Otago Trotting Club president Graham Sinnamon is hoping their annual meeting at Omakau will be a "Goldilocks" event.

Hoping to get a crowd of up to 7000 on Monday, January 2 Sinnamon says the dream is to "have a Goldilocks event, because in 2021 it was too wet, in 2022 it was too hot and this year we want it just right".

The meeting is a hugely popular event in Central Otago with thousands of holiday-makers swarming to the area.

"We'd like to be close to last year," Sinnamon says when asked of crowd numbers, "and unofficially then it was a bit over 7000."

"Fingers crossed the weather will be good, and it will be a huge day."

Last year the feature race the Group 3 Central Otago Cup was won by Alta Wiseguy.

"The track is looking fabulous and the whole venue is very green at the moment."

Sinnamon estimates that around 150 campervans and motorhomes have already booked space at the race course - "they get in on New Year's Eve and stay for three nights and leave after the races - it's an important revenue stream for us."

There'll be a number of prizes given away on the day, including a circuit prize of $4000, split between professional and amateur licence holders, and $500 worth of prizes will be randomly drawn and awarded to a trainer starting their horse at Omakau.

Other giveaways include scenic flights, Highland Motorsport park rides, Gibbston Valley concert tickets, and shares in the Witches of Westview syndicate.

"We really want to make a great start to the New year," says Sinnamon.