Jump to content
NOTICE TO BOAY'ers: Major Update Coming ×
Bit Of A Yarn

Paeroa racecourse


Recommended Posts

Drove through Paeroa on the way to Tauranga today and what a sad sight to see the old Paeroa track, it seems like yesterday that Muldoon opened the new stand there....I probably went racing there 3 or 4 times with my Dad in the 80's , he liked to see where there was a race meeting on and we'd go and play a round of golf close by early in the morning and go to the races in the afternoon. ... anyone remember When was Paeroa shut down? ,,  ........I missed about 20 years from early 90's to  late 2012 living in the u.k ...that track must have been going for well over 100 years....

Couple of pictures I took not very good, but a few steeple fences/hedges in the background.

IMG_20190202_133729.jpg

IMG_20190202_133720.jpg

  • Like 1
  • Sad 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I have childhood memories as well. One year we went down for the Maramarua Hunt Cup in the May school holidays. I loved the twin hills on the steeples course.

They ran a couple of really good National Jumps Days relatively recently as well.

Sad but that's modern life I'm afraid.

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

It's sad to see the current state of play at the Paeroa track.

I remember driving down from Auckland for just about every meeting there for about ten years. I especially enjoyed the inter island chase.

I have some great memories there on the punt and one not so great.

My homework said the locally trained Pearls Paul would win. I backed it until I was blue in the face and covered it every which way in exotic bets. Bought a Harley Davidson and a boat with my winnings.

Another result was not welcomed about 20 years ago. I was keen on Harvey Wadham horses and the riding of jumps hoop Paul Hillis. They partnered up on Royal Banquet. I unloaded. The horse was bolting in the chase but Paul didn't move. I nearly lost my voice yelling the word "go" from the 1000 metres. Unfortunately, Paul didn't go until the 600. Made up huge ground and finished a very close second and still with a full tank of gas. Cost me plenty. Harvey had another horse at the time that had similar ability and history to Royal Banquet. It's name escapes me. Both very handy ex open winter handicap type horses. 

My best memory there was with the grey front running stepplechaser Deino's Ruler. The Archers, Judy and Trudy (Collett) were involved with. I took my mum down to watch it and had my biggest bets on a jumping race. Deino's Ruler went straight to the front. Jumped beautifully and won by a street. We stopped and did some shopping on the way home and mum bought a new wardrobe full of clothes. She's in her 80's now but still thanks me and reminds me of that beautiful grey horse Deino's Ruler we drove all the way to Paeroa to watch and win a small fortune off.

 

  • Like 2
  • Champ Post 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

11 hours ago, Freda said:

Sad....and, as much as can be seen from the photos,  it doesn't look as if it is being farmed,  or..anything,  really...

Who owned it originally, and was it sold.?

I

Originally owned by the club -they got into financial strife and course was sold. I think the grandstand was deemed unsafe from earthquakes [they don't have many in Paeroa, nor lemon trees] From memory Some of it had residential zoning. Did the China Horse Club buy it ?

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I recall a local publican racing horses like legal ruler and regal ruler.Surname may have been Duncan and a jockey by the name of K.J.Marauri.Possibly got name wrong.

Track should have been purchased by NZ Racing and retained as a jumping only racing and training track.

Rogerson put his hand up to buy track at one stage,couldn't have worked out.

  • Like 1
  • Champ Post 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.



×
×
  • Create New...