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Guess Xmas, Boxing day and the holidays is a busy time for some in Auckland, Burglers raiding the orchid while owners are away.

So a bit late to be complaining now. Who was involved in setting the programme? Who benefits most from it?

Probably for three months

How long has the programme been published?

I was there in 1974. Are you sure the Westport Cup was run on Boxing Day?

what a interesting fella he was! ps, re AK weather, Massive rain predicted for around 4pm...

Bluegum surprise won 74 Westport cup, local trainer Kieth Powell won with lady Jesse,Maude Ann and Bonnie Charlie.

Trainer Bob Baffert has entered five 3-year-olds in the seven-furlong Malibu Stakes, headed by recent Perryville Stakes (G3) winner Barnes.View the full article

Damn right, Kenny.

Certainly does, was saying a few good horses won there first race at Westport trots, armalight and our mana, both top horses of there era, been a long day hence not reading your post correctly re the winners, I'll have to hunt down an old race book to see who did win in 74, I know the club got a 1000 pounds back in the day for the worlds first triple deadheat,

how time flies!

Who won the Westport cup that year, had the gallops till 1996, nice course.

As I mentioned before, the anticipation of Ellerslie on Boxing Day used to be enormous, so not just the smaller clubs What created the anticipation at Ellerslie on Boxing Day? 4 things, in my opinion anyway 1. The overall high quality fields 2. The Derby and Queen Elizabeth which was always a superb field and the lead up race for those serious about the Auckland Cup on NYD. 3. The picnics and boot parties on the infield,. along with all the other activities that led to a real carnival atmosphere. They used to get 10,000 people 4. The huge coverage in papers like the Auckland Star and Friday Flash

interesting question! a comment that one jockey made to me once "The Gentleman of the Jockeys Room".

In simple terms I think racing needs to be made relevant, and cool again. I think our leaders are under estimating the power of the smaller clubs and surrounding communities. The people on here want to see the best horses and jockeys. The people we need to entice on track just want a memorable experience.

After reading your comments this morning I've been thinking about Chris today. Can anyone ever recall him being grumpy?

Shops and roads were mental today with all that last minute Christmas shopping. After trackwork this morning thought I'd grab a couple of things. What a stupid idea! Queues outside The Warehouse waiting for it to open. Then the supermarket was jam packed. The shops are closed for just one day for crying out loud. Some marketing genius needs to transfer that urgency to the Boxing Day races. I'm trying to think back to what created anticipation for weeks leading up to the carnival at Ellerslie. It's a different world of no newspapers where you might share and discuss at smoko. The age of the device can be a secluded experience. One thing is for sure, there does appear to be less disposable cash, the Boxing Day sales will no doubt be in full force again. This all impacts on life, and a day out at the races. Clubs need to be much more organised with pre-paid packages, and more inventive with everything on offer.

Looks shit to be honest. If the forecast is correct,be a shock if they race at all.

Just had a quick look at all the odds for the day... Not one fav from Team Orange! In the WFA Legarto has been backed, on that rain arriving? To my eye, she looked just that wee bit pretty, I noted she should improve on that run... tad thin though now at 4.40

yes and all that following a six week gap with NO grass track racing in Canterbury! It's bullshit really

It is one of those tricky forecasts. The rain arrives a couple of hours early, it is wet all day The weather arrives a few hours late, they just get the program finished before the rain

Just back Tim Williams when he is on them. They seem to fire for him. Dickie not much of a driver since he came back from Australia. Seems to end up parked or no room on too many horses that should be winning. He can still get one home if he is in front. Several drivers like that in the South as well. Cox, Smith and a few of the girls Green, Tomlinson's, Thornley's you want to be on them if they are in front or trail but no thanks if they are back in the field. Up the middle with no room the norm.

For the horse racing meeting on Boxing Day in Auckland, the weather from 12 PM to 5 PM is expected to be **cloudy with a high chance of rain developing in the early afternoon**. You should plan for wet conditions. ### 📅 Hourly Forecast for 12 PM to 5 PM Based on the most detailed forecast available, here is the expected weather for Friday, December 26th: | Time | Temperature (°C) | Condition | Chance of Rain | Expected Rainfall | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | **12 PM** | 24° | Cloudy | 30% | Trace | | **1 PM** | 22° | Rain | **100%** | 3.2 mm | | **2 PM** | 22° | Rain | **100%** | 5.6 mm | | **3 PM** | 22° | Showers | 90% | 1.3 mm | | **4 PM** | 22° | Showers | 90% | 1.0 mm | | **5 PM** | 21° | Showers | 90% | 0.6 mm | ### 🌤️ Overall Day Summary & What to Expect The general forecast for Auckland on Friday confirms the afternoon will be **cloudy with breezy winds**. * **Weather**: The morning may start dry, but **rain is highly likely to move in during the afternoon**. Other forecasts also mention "a couple of showers" for the day. * **Temperature**: Warm, with highs around **21-24°C** during the event. * **Wind**: Expect **breezy West to Southwest winds**, which could be noticeable in open areas like a racetrack. ### 💡 Practical Tips for Your Day Given this forecast, here are a few suggestions: * **Essential Gear**: Bring a **waterproof jacket or poncho**. An umbrella is also a good idea, but be mindful of wind and other racegoers. * **Footwear**: Wear **closed-toe shoes with good grip**, as the grass areas may become wet and slippery. * **Layering**: Dress in layers. While it will be warm, the breeze and potential rain can make it feel cooler. I hope this detailed forecast helps you plan for the races. Would you like me to check the weather for a specific racetrack location, such as Ellerslie or Pukekohe Park, for more localized information?

I believe the last time I was on that course was 1974! sleep two nights in the Grandstand! Doh! can't recall any winners from that meeting!