Kingshill 230 Report post Posted March 9, 2021 https://www.racingnews.co.nz/new-home-away-from-home-for-marlborough-cup/ Link above to interesting article regarding racing in Blenheim/Nelson region. If the economy in the region is as good as they say, is this a opportunity to reinvent racing there with a big carnival or two with BIG stakes to attract the good horse's? Give them a couple of good Saturday dates, not Fridays, Mondays etc..... Beautiful part of the country and but when visiting there and driving around it's hard to even spot a horse in a paddock. tasman man 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pam Robson 1,537 Report post Posted March 9, 2021 Gisborne/Wairoa has been eliminated, sadly, I see little chance of resurrecting Blenheim. Its not on the grand plan. Nelson/Blenheim circuits were very popular. tasman man, Huey and elbow 2 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tasman man 742 Report post Posted March 10, 2021 (edited) 8 hours ago, Pam Robson said: Gisborne/Wairoa has been eliminated, sadly, I see little chance of resurrecting Blenheim. Its not on the grand plan. Nelson/Blenheim circuits were very popular. Nelson folded about 1988. Few if any trainers in area back then [J.Healy] and the Club held a meeting at Avondale to try and stay solvent ! I guess the club made a huge mistake about 1901 when theJockey Club sold its land to the Nelson A &P Society. Resulted in Jockey and Harness clubs paying hefty rents to race there. Marlborough Clubs better off financially but still a long way from Horse population. They are an important area if/when issues with Inter-island ferry. Their gallops meetings helped considerably in recent years by North Island trainers especially KMyers . But something about the area , as per Kingshill alludes to .....not a horse 'culture'. Between boxing day and end of January the region explodes in population.......half of Christchurch goes to Nelson . Hence its a good place then to hold racing ....iconic days ......Westport trots, Kumara Races, Nelson and Marlborough Trots enjoy good turnover. As does Kaikoura ,once a year early November. But as per other times of year forget it. Must cost the TAB a 'small fortune' to drag its equipment and people to the area.....add the cost of Nelson rent and I doubt it adds up ! A great area to drink wine and go tramping and kayaking ! Edited March 10, 2021 by tasman man Avondale THE TORCH 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shad 1,540 Report post Posted March 10, 2021 Dates are very important, huge crowd at coast trots boxing day, but their Friday march meeting will probably struggle to hold it's own, that's because it will be just local support, they to lost their gallops in 1996, just like Nelson, shame as I thought that track was good, with a nice long straight We're Doomed, Pam Robson and elbow 3 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
We're Doomed 4,824 Report post Posted March 10, 2021 13 hours ago, Shad said: Dates are very important, huge crowd at coast trots boxing day, but their Friday march meeting will probably struggle to hold it's own, that's because it will be just local support, they to lost their gallops in 1996, just like Nelson, shame as I thought that track was good, with a nice long straight Almost certainly the best track on the Coast. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shad 1,540 Report post Posted March 11, 2021 6 hours ago, We're Doomed said: Almost certainly the best track on the Coast. Yep I think so, but some beg to differ, each to their own I guess Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jape 344 Report post Posted March 11, 2021 1 minute ago, Shad said: Yep I think so, but some beg to differ, each to their own I guess Yes, a very good track. They do have to prepare it for harness only, though. I may be accused of being biased but I believe Reefton has an equally good track and is prepared for both harness and gallops. Excellent facilities, too. We're Doomed 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TOM(the other Molloy) 1,774 Report post Posted March 12, 2021 On 3/11/2021 at 5:02 PM, Jape said: Yes, a very good track. They do have to prepare it for harness only, though. I may be accused of being biased but I believe Reefton has an equally good track and is prepared for both harness and gallops. Excellent facilities, too. You're not biased in saying that you're a good judge. As good a surface as there is in the South Island though the track is far too small for a thoroughbred Ckub Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...