Racing returns to Castlepoint Beach

[Wandering Eyes]

The Castlepoint Beach races are an iconic event on the racing calendar and are set to make their return this Saturday after they were cancelled last year due to weather conditions.

Awapuni trainer Peter Didham was looking forward to supporting the 150^th anniversary celebrations at last year’s event, and while disappointed he wasn’t able to compete, he is excited to return to the meeting this year where he will be represented by a trio of runners.

“It is great, we went last year and the races were cancelled, but we had a great time,” he said.

“I have a couple of owners that were keen to go, so I have got Ruffhouse Rosie, Fabian Hawk and Gum Basher all going over to have a gallop in the water and sand. I have a few staff going over and they are looking forward to having a really good day out.”

While Didham lined-up up a stable runner at the meeting a few years ago, he said this will be the first time he is sending over some competitive horses, and he is looking forward to supporting the iconic Wairarapa event he has enjoyed as a punter.

“I had an old stable hack a couple of years ago that one of my staff took over, but it is the first time having a real go,” he said.

“I have been a couple of times (as a spectator), we have got some friends that have a house over there. They get a big crowd and if they get a nice day it will be good, and the horses love it.

“Kevin (Myers, trainer) takes about 30 horses there and he has got Aljay (Gr.3 New Zealand Cup winner) and all his good ones going. There have been some good horses win over there.”

The Castlepoint Beach Races were immortalised in book form last year through the release of ‘Racing Against The Tide – 150 Years Of Horse Racing At Castlepoint’.

Commissioned by the Castlepoint Racing Club, the 200-page coffee table-sized book has been a labour of love for author Matt Philp and photographer Lottie Hedley over the last couple of years.

The book captures the community and rural feel of the iconic meeting, which takes place annually on the picturesque Castlepoint Beach, with the famed Castlepoint Lighthouse and Pacific Ocean in the backdrop.

The event is engrained in the memories of many Wairarapa locals who accompanied their parents each year to the not-to-be missed social event of the summer, with Philp’s words and Hedley’s images bringing life to the characters and festivities behind the event.

‘Racing Against The Tide’ encapsulates the rich history of the meeting, from its rural roots to the modern day, where the undie 100, fashion parade, and Kids Big Dig bring has added further entertainment to the event.

The Castlepoint Racing Club are looking forward to adding another chapter to the event this weekend. Books will be available to purchase for $55 or can also be ordered via the club’s website: castlepointracingclub.com.

The Castlepoint race meeting is set to take place this Saturday, with the first race set to jump at 10:30am.

What: Castlepoint Beach Races

Where: Castlepoint Beach, Wairarapa

When: Saturday, February 24, with the first race to jump at 10:30am

Gate entry: $5pp cash

Castlepoint Beach Races Programme

10.15am approx. PONY RACE

10.30am (tide dependent) Race 1: CASTLEPOINT STORE WAIRARAPA STATION HACK RACE.

Children’s Game: Golf Ball and Spoon Race

Race 2: JOHN GRIFFITH & CO LTD TINUI HIGHWEIGHT HANDICAP OPEN.

Children’s Game: Wheelbarrow Race or Paired Horse Race

Race 3: ORME & ASSOCIATES & BAKERAG LIGHTHOUSE HANDICAP OPEN.

Children’s Game: Sack Race

Race 4: CASTLEPOINT HOTEL CASTLEPOINT CUP OPEN.

Presentation of the Castlepoint Cup to the winner

Race 5: C R GRACE LTD MATAIKONA TRIAL STAKES.

FASHION ON THE BEACH COMPETITION (First Prize: One night’s accommodation including breakfast at Copthorne Solway Park) Judged By Masterton District Councillor Stella Lennox and MP for Wairarapa Mike Butterick

Race 6: REISIMA HAULAGE WHAKATAKI HANDICAP OPEN.

Between Race Entertainment: Stallion Undie 100 & Filly Undie 100 race’s ($2 entry: Winner takes All plus $50 cash prize)

Race 7: SOTHEBYS INTERNATIONAL REALTY SCHOFIELD HANDICAP OPEN.

Children’s Entertainment: Westpac Big Dig

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