The Hurunui Race and Gala Day is a highlight on the local calendar. The biennial community event was held recently at Medbury in North Canterbury and attracted more than 2000 race-goers.
Horse racing has a long history at the site near the Hurunui River. The first races were held there in 1874 and remarkably, in the 144 years since, the grass on the track has never been renewed. There is a caveat that states the track must never be cultivated.
"We mowed it about a month ago and we we're lucky we had three inches of rain just after that and it's got a nice green tinge across it and a good cover, so it's absolutely perfect for the horses," says local farmer and organising committee member Rod McKay.
Proceeds from the gate are destined for cancer support groups in Hurunui, Cheviot and Amberley.
"A lot of it will be used for fuel vouchers, food vouchers, taking people to appointments; we assess each one as they come along," explains Phillipa Jamison from the Hurunui Cancer Support Group, which has an educational stand at the race ground.
Marie Black, another organising committee member and deputy mayor of the Hurunui District, says an equilisator betting license for the horse racing provides another important fundraising opportunity.
"We've actually drawn in another group of volunteers to run the equilisator and so the money that's earned purely on the equalisator is going to be given to the Hurunui swimming clubs," she says.
The jockeys competing in the eight races are mostly amateurs and some are racing for the first time including Waikari rider Mel Ruck, who is in the 800 metre Medbury Handicap Cup with her son Tom.
Before the race they are both feeling the pressure but Mel says they are not the only ones who are anxious. "I brought my husband along and he's more nervous for us than we are... so we'll see how we go!" she says with a laugh before jumping on her horse and heading to the start line.
