Ruakaka's return hailed "success" on many fronts

By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk 

"A big success" - that was the verdict on harness racing's return to Northland.

After more than a decade away eight races were held at the Auckland Trotting Club meeting on the iconic grass track at Ruakaka on Easter Monday.

"Everyone I spoke to from the Sponsors, Owners, Trainers were in support of more events at this venue," says ATC Racing Director Karen Blanchard, "with  not one piece of negative feedback throughout the day."

Winners were spread around seven different North Island-based trainers with Tony Herlihy the only one to get a double, with Mr Putt, who he drove himself and B D Castleton for Tony Cameron.

"There was a good crowd and everyone seemed over the moon," says NZ Trainers and Drivers Association Chair Jay Abernethy.

Abernethy himself lined up five runners on the day, with Eagle Hanover the best of them with a second for driver Kate Coppins.

"The track was good, it was wide and gave everyone a crack - I don't think there were any unlucky horses."
            
The meeting at Ruakaka was the second to be held in a thoroughbred racing stronghold this year following the first ever harness racing meeting at Taupo in January.

"It was really pleasing to see a healthy crowd there and we need to stay connected outside our regular racing regions so strategically this meeting is critical," says HRNZ's Head of Racing and Wagering, Matthew Peden.    
                                                       
"It also gives us another grass track venue in the north which we definitely need," says Abernethy.

From a wagering perspective it was a success too. Turnover was at $581,000 with Race 6, the Neville Bros - Watch Me Trot Handicap Trot leading the way with $91,000 being wagered.  

As for the future, there is general agreement that Ruakaka should become a regular on the harness racing calendar.

"It was good to get a template in place for the meeting and use that information for the next time," says Blanchard.

Abernethy thinks it could potentially be expanded.

"A two day meeting could work well, maybe a Thursday-Sunday or a Saturday - Monday, something like that," he says, "that way people from places like Hawera would be more likely to get involved too."

"We'd also like to thank the team at Ruakaka," says Peden "they welcomed us back onto their course and they have been brilliant."  

"A big shout out goes to Rebecca Swords (General Manager) and Brian McKinney (Track Manager) at Ruakaka Racing Club who assisted with set-up and on the day," says Blanchard, "and thanks too to Garrick Knight who was helpful in getting behind the day and assisting where and when needed."