Cup Week closed to public

[Wandering Eyes]

ADDINGTON CUP WEEK ORGANISERS OUT OF TIME

For the first time in its 117-year history Addington Cup Week, held annually during the second week of November, will not be open to the public.

Addington Cup Week 2021 event dates:
IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup Day – Tuesday 9 November 2021
Show Day Races – Friday 12 November 2021

Addington Cup Week organisers were hopeful that the South Island would have dropped to an Alert Level without restrictions, in time for the New Zealand Cup on Tuesday November 9, and Show Day on Friday November 12.

However time has now run out.

Addington Raceway CEO, Brian Thompson, says “the races will still go ahead, but due to the country still being under mass gathering restrictions it will not be possible to hold Cup Week as a public accessible event. Addington Cup Week for many is all about the race day experience, getting dressed up and sharing good times with great friends, hosting clients and mingling with other people all in a party like atmosphere. It’s just not an event where anyone wants to social distance from others”

Due to the large amount of temporary infrastructure required to host the regular crowd of 20,000+ people during Cup Week, it was necessary to make a decision three weeks prior to the event as this is when the event build would normally commence.

“We are very disappointed not to be able to share this year’s Cup Week with Canterbury but we have no other option than to turn Cup Week into a smaller racing industry day for members, owners, trainers and business partners given there is no indication when we will come out of level 2”.

Hospitality packages were sold out and tickets to The Edge Public Village and Lindauer Lawn were due to go on sale in September but had to be put on hold due to Covid-19 Alert Level restrictions.

Major sponsor, IRT Director, Richard Cole says “IRT looks forward to hosting industry participants in a safe environment and celebrating the exceptional quality of racing that is always prominent at harness racing’s most prestigious race day.”

Addington will now plan for an Alert Level 2 event, where it can safely host and showcase a great day of racing under Alert Level 2 restrictions for racing industry participants in small pods throughout the facilities. Addington Cup Week 2021 will look different to what we have known in the past.

Our wish is to showcase a great industry event that is compliant with all government mandated guidelines. For the safety of our patrons, staff and all industry participants, our expectation is that guests attending will be compliant with all restrictions, so that all can have a good and safe Cup Week.

Although we won’t be hosting our regular numbers on site at our raceway, we do hope that all New Zealand gets out during Cup Week and supports the hospitality industry.

We are working with ChristchurchNZ, media partners and hospitality outlets to bring New Zealanders other options to celebrate ‘Cup from your place’ and still experience and be a part of our two iconic race days. Keep an eye on our social media channels to stay connected. #celebrateNZcup

All hospitality packages had been sold out months ago and these tickets will now be refunded.

The Crossing Fashion Starts Here competition has been reinvented for 2021.

The iconic competition will run online with new categories and can be entered nationwide. Entries opened on Friday 15 October.

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