Yes it was innovative of the Club at the time.  But that's what happens with Clubs from time to time you have an Executive that goes "What the hell lets give this a go"!  It works for a while and then politics creep in - committee members change and the new idea people can't get a look in. I remember on a much smaller scale a similar committee at the Westland Racing Club came up with the Miss Scenicland Stakes.  Worked for a while and then the energy left. I still don't understand how for a very small amount of money someone can sponsor a race at a country race meeting in memory of grandad.   Clubs now have no idea about marketing and rely on the administrators or ENTAIN to do it for them.

I'm painting my fence, unless of course you need my paintbrush ?

Bayer were suppliers of chemicals to not only the rural farming sector but also horticulture and industry.  As such it was a big day out for all those that bought their chemicals, probably helped with the crowd numbers.  We drove down from Auckland every year, an early start, leaving at 4am  Origins: Why & how the race began The race began in 1981 under the name Levin Turf Classic. It was created by the Levin Racing Club, which wanted a new “feature race for three-year-olds for a substantial stake.”  To raise money for the first running — aiming for a large stake — the club ran a sweepstake: horses entered had to pay fees at multiple levels. That generated the bulk of the necessary funds, though the club also bridged the rest.  The first running was over a mile (1600 m). The inaugural winner in 1981 was a horse named “Altitude.”   Sponsorship & Rising Status — “Bayer Classic” emerges In 1984 the club secured sponsorship from Bayer NZ Ltd (a branch of the multinational company Bayer). The sponsorship brought significant prize money and prestige, prompting the race to be renamed the “Bayer Classic.”  Thanks to this support, the race soon became one of the most prestigious targets for three-year-olds in New Zealand and Australasia.

Race results Year Winner Jockey Trainer(s) Time Second place Third 2025[2] Savaglee 57 Samantha Spratt Pam Gerard 1:23.22 (good, 1400m) Kitty Flash 55 Tardelli 57 2024[3] Quintessa 55 Opie Bosson Mark Walker & Sam Bergerson 1:35.76 (good) Zabmanzor 57 Impendabelle 55 2023[4] Romancing The Moon 55 Kozzi Asano Mark Walker 1:37.13 (soft) Skew Wiff 55 Luella Cristina 55 2022[5] Imperatriz 54.5 Michael McNab Jamie Richards 1:36.43 (dead) On The Bubbles 56.5 I Wish I Win 56.5 2021[6] Bonham 54.5 Lisa Allpress Johno Benner & Hollie Wynyard, Otaki 1:37.67 (good) Brando 56.5 Wild Moose 56.5 2020[7] Travelling Light 54.5 Samantha Collett Ben Foote, Cambridge 1:36.71 (good) Harlech 56.5 Riodini 56.5 2019[8] Madison County 56.5 Matthew Cameron Murray Baker & Andrew Forsman, Cambridge 1:35.89 (good) Hypnos 56.5 Vernanme 56.5 2018[9][10] Age Of Fire 56.5 Opie Bosson Stephen Autridge & Jamie Richards, Matamata 1:36.63 (soft) Belle Du Nord 54.5 Savvy Coup 54.5 2017[11][12] Hall Of Fame 56.5 Opie Bosson Stephen Autridge & Jamie Richards, Matamata 1:35.54 (good) Saville Row 56.5 Jon Snow 56.5 2016[13] Dukedom 56.5 Lisa Allpress Steven Cole 1:36.96 (good) Son Of Maher 56.5 Rangipo 56.5 2015[14] Gaultier 56.5 Michael Coleman Danica Guy, Matamata 1:36.62 (good) Sardaaj 54.5 Huka Eagle 56.5 2014[15] Recite 54.5 Mark Du Plessis John Bary, Hastings 1:36.10 (firm) Franzac 56.5 Aspen 56.5 2013 No race held         2012[16] Southern Lord 56.5 Kelly Myers Alan Tait, Matamata 1:34.63 (good) Le Choix 56.5 Soriano 55 2011[17] Distill 56.5 Robert Hannam Roydon Bergerson, Awapuni 1:35.97 (good) Randall 56.5 Antonio Lombardo 56.5 2010[18] We Can Say It Now 54.5 Leith Innes Murray & Bjorn Baker, Cambridge 1:34.27 (good) Blinding 54.5 Lady Kipling 54.5 2009[19] Eileen Dubh 55 Jonathan Riddell Francis Finnegan, Woodville 1:35.43 (good) St Germaine 54.5 Green Supreme 56 2008[20] Altered Image 56 Michael Coleman Michael & Paul Moroney, Matamata 1:32.50 (good) Spontaneous 56 Izonit 56 2007[21][22] Keepa Cruisin 54.5 Leith Innes Stephen McKee, Ardmore 1:34.85 (good) Run Like Al 56 Satinka 54.5 2006[23] Porotene Gem 54.5 David Walker Kevin Gray, Copper Belt Lodge 1:40.10 (soft) Jokers Wild 56 Figueres 56 2005[24] Wahid 56 Hayden Tinsley Allan Sharrock, New Plymouth 1:36.18 (dead) Shikoba 53.5 Izzat 56 2004[25] Ambitious Owner 55.5 Leith Innes Murray Baker, Cambridge 1:34.77 (Good) Fiscal Madness 55.5 Magnetism 55.5 2003[26] Russian Pearl 56 Hayden Tinsley Bruce & Stephen Marsh, Woodville 1:34.96 (soft) Taatletail 53.5 King’s Chapel 56 2002 Bunker 56 Opie Bosson Trevor & Stephen McKee, Takanini 1:37.14 (soft) Dane choice 56 Cheerine Kid 56 2001 Final Destination 53.5 Gary Grylls Vannessa Hillis, Matamata 1:34.9 (good) Shinnecock 54 Armondo 56 2000 Tit For Taat 56 Hayden Tinsley Wayne Herbert 1:35.11 (good) Star Satire 56 Sir Clive 54 1999[27] Buzz Lightyear 56 Opie Bosson Robert Priscott, Te Awamutu 1:35.28 Domero 56 Greatthings Happen 56 1998 Tobruk 56 Leith Innes Graham Richardson, Matamata 1:37.67 (soft) With Drawn 56 Kaapeon 56 1997 Love De Tor 53 Greg Childs Michael Moroney, Matamata 1:33.69 (good) Foxwood 53 Quality Kingdom 53 1996[28] O'Reilly 55.5 Lance O'Sullivan Dave & Paul O'Sullivan, Matamata 1:35.74 High Return 55.5 Rebel 55.5 1995 Prussian Blue 55.5 Shane Udy Davina Waddell, Pukekohe 1:34.97 (good) Anemos 56 Super Crest 53 1994[29] Avedon 55.5 Darryl Bradley Felix Patrick Campbell, Awapuni 1:34.81 Starcent 53 Allegro 55.5 1993[30] Al Akbar 55.5 Gary Grylls Chris Wood, Cambridge 1:43.97 (heavy) Western Red 55.5 Facing The Music 53 1992 Nimue 53 Lance O'Sullivan Dave & Paul O'Sullivan, Matamata 1:33.66 Kaaptive Edition 55.5 Hula Strike 55.5 1991 Veandercross 55.5 Jim Walker Chris Turner, New Plymouth 1:34.35 Overwhelmed 55.5 Captain Cook 55.5 1990[31] Eagle Eye 55.5 Noel Harris Murray Baker, Woodville 1:39.64 Sir Alberton 55.5 Play On 55.5 1989 Phillipa Rush 53 Lance O'Sullivan Jim Campin, Cambridge 1:36.20 Pumpernickel 55.5 Status 55.5 1988 Krona 55.5 Peter Tims Roger McGlade, Taupo 1:35.53 (good) Straight Order 55.5 Kate’s Myth 53 1987 Young Indian 55.5 Peter Tims Norm Morgan, Ruakaka 1:35.75 (good) Sound Belt 55.5 Candide 53 1986[32] The Bishop 55.5 Maree Lyndon Don Couchman, Hawera 1:36.78 Margarella 53 Precocious Lad 55.5 1985 Bonecrusher 55.5 Jim Cassidy Frank Ritchie, Takanini 1:36.90 French Polish 53 Seadreamer 53 1984[33] Princess Dram 53 Maree Lyndon Neil Bradley, Hawera 1:35.90 Avana 53 Kingdom Bay 55.5 1983[34] Burletta 53 Jim Cassidy Felix Patrick Campbell, Hastings 1:36.0 Eastern Bay 53 Prince Ariba 55.5 1982 Our Flight 53 Maurice Campbell Errol Skelton, Levin 1:36.2 (good) Red Tempo 55.5 Clansman 55.5 1981[35] Altitude 55.5 Stephen Autridge Bill Ford, Matamata 1:36.00 (good) Noble Heights 53 Volare 55.5

Yeah - the Twilight Christmas at the Races hospitality packages are sold out.  People are really starting to enjoy these poly tracks! I see free entry for common folk on Mufthasa Day. Hasn't been sold out the last two years.  Pain to get to the races as the trains weren't running the last two years. Anyone interested in a fund raiser to get @Huey to the races?