Riverton turns 60

The Riverton Trotting Club is throwing a wonderful party for the public of Southland when it celebrates 60 years of racing at its annual Cup Day meeting at Ascot Park Raceway in Invercargill on Saturday 13 February.

On course the day will see feature events including the 31st running of the $15,000 DT King’s Transport Ltd Riverton Cup, the Neville Cleaver Fishing Aparima Trot and the Bill Keast Memorial Gold Chip Trotting Final.

The day will also feature entertainment and activities for young and old alike.

The club is running a $1000 Pick Five competition at each of their three meetings this season and that continues on Saturday. This competition can only be entered on-course on the official entry form in the race book and the jackpot will generally be on the last five races. Only one entry will be accepted from each on-course patron (one name – one entry). To enter this be on course in plenty of time to submit your entry before the last five races. The entry barrel is located in the main foyer of the main grandstand on course. Full rules are in the race book on the day.

An Under The Helmet competition, reminiscent of It’s In The Bag, will give patrons the opportunity to come to the birdcage and select one of eight hats kindly supplied by Saddlery Warehouse. Each hat will feature a letter which together spell RIVERTON. Pick your letter, lift the hat and you will receive a prize of no less than a $100 betting voucher. Just drop your losing tote tickets in the barrel in the foyer to receive a chance to play. Other tickets drawn from the barrel can win punters rides on the EH Ball ITM Mobile Barrier throughout the day.

The Frisbee Fling will feature a demonstration by Disc Golf South and also an opportunity to have a go for distance and accuracy yourself. If you have a frisbee, bring your own along otherwise they will be provided. Once again, there are prizes for the best.

Kidz Kartz will race on the day and also organise a Have A Go Promotion while one lucky person will have an opportunity to Own Franco Santino in the D T Kings Transport Riverton Cup through a competition organised by More FM Southland on their Facebook page. Win a day in the Presidents Room, an opportunity to talk with the trainer, have your picture taken with Franco Santino, enjoy a dual sulky ride, plus a $100 bet on “your horse” and a $100 Ascot Park Hotel meal voucher to round off a great day.

The Riverton Club also supports the nationwide Teal Campaign to raise funds for Ovarian Cancer Research and the Riverton Trotting Club will run a ‘Teal Wheel’, a wheel full of prizes, with tickets available at $5 each. The prizes will be drawn on the day by Southern Teal Ambassador Ellie Barron.

The big attraction for the children is the Tree Of Treats with some great prizes up for grabs.

While the public stand to do very well from the day, winning owners will receive a gift basket and a set of coasters to commemorate their wins while sponsors will receive easy bets to get their day off to a good start.

It is an action-packed day of great racing, entertainment and prizes. Get yourself on course from 12 noon on Saturday to be a part of it all.