Latest news with #Hawke'sBayCup
NZ Herald
22-05-2025
- Business
- NZ Herald
Raceday return could bring Waipukurau a financial boost, next Hastings racing Spring Carnival is in 2026
But Wairoa Racing Club president Paul Toothill, who is fighting for the reinstatement of racing at the town's Te Kupenga racecourse, learned of the plans only through media and is yet to discuss it with his committee. The Wairoa Cup was to have been raced this year at South Wairarapa course Tauherenikau, but neither the club nor the town's businesses supported the venture because of the disconnect between their event and the fact it would be raced on a track 380km away. The biggest prize for Waipukurau is the 2200m Hawke's Bay Cup, with a history dating back to 1860, and which had stakes of $120,000 when raced at Trentham last month. It will be raced next at Waipukurau next April 26. Waipukurau's good fortune was announced by Waipukurau club president Kirsty Lawrence on Wednesday, ahead of an HBR meeting in Hastings at which horse owners, trainers and members were told racing should return to the Hastings track in time for the 2026 Spring Carnival. Well over $1 million is expected to be spent on cambering and other track correction work, which HBR and New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing say will sustain racing in Hawke's Bay well into the future. The benefits for Waipukurau have been highlighted by the manager and part-owner of the Leopard Hotel (aka Waipukurau Hotel). Taj Singh said past owners have told him its nine rooms and three-roomed family suite are likely to be booked out on at least one night for each of the race meetings. Opened in 1963 and thus a host of racing visitors for almost 60 years, it is otherwise only fully booked about once every two months, he said, and it relies on big events. Mayor Alex Walker was unavailable for comment by Thursday afternoon.
NZ Herald
21-05-2025
- Automotive
- NZ Herald
Racing in Hawke's Bay: Waipukurau racing returning in November, Hastings by spring 2026
Major races from that day were run at Matamata a few days later, and major races scheduled for the last day were run at Te Rapa, Hamilton. Other days scheduled for the 2024-25 season in Hastings were also run at other courses, including the Hawke's Bay Cup at Trentham last month, and no dates have been allocated to Hastings for the 2025-26 season starting on August 1 and ending on July 31 next year. The statement said: 'Pending approval by the NZTR board, we can confirm that work will progress on a partial recambering of the bends leaving the home straight (1600m and 1400m) of the Hastings racetrack. 'Notwithstanding any unforeseen circumstances, this significant, expert-led investment will allow for a safe and confident return to racing in Hawke's Bay for spring 2026.' The work is necessary to make racing sustainable in Hawke's Bay well into the future, Ballesty and Riddell said. Further planning is under way to determine the long-term vision for racing in the wider Hawke's Bay area, which has also in recent years lost racing at Wairoa. It also includes facilities such as grandstands and other off-track facilities. The two organisations expect to share more detailed updates with members and the public in July, the statement said. 'We would like to thank our East Coast racing clubs who continue to work together to shape a strong and sustainable future for the industry and the community. We look forward to racing returning to the Hawke's Bay region.'
