A largely fine weather week in Hastings ahead of day one of the Bostock New Zealand Spring Carnival is expected to provide perfect footing for all runners on Saturday, which marks the return to Group 1 racing with a strong field to be assembled for the Tarzino Trophy (1400m).
“Richard Fenwick (Racecourse Manager) did a reading on the track this morning and it came up a Dead5,” Hawke's Bay Racing General Manager Andrew Castles said. “There might be a shower on Tuesday and the possibility of a shower on Friday, and that would do more good than harm I would have thought. “If we could provide a Dead5 track at this time of year, it gives everyone a surface on which they can operate on.”
The Hawke's Bay Racing Club and its partners will again get behind a good cause to support the Hawke's Bay Cancer Society, with a host of fundraising initiatives and activities on course. Over the past five years Hawke's Bay Racing has raised more than $135,000 to provide care and support to local families affected by cancer.
This year the TAB is doubling its donations, handing over $2,000 per winner in the Daffodil Raceday silks to the Cancer Society. Former All Black and World Cup hero Stephen Donald will be the guest speaker at a High Tea for Hawke's Bay Cancer Society Volunteers.
Admission on the day is by $5 donation to the Hawke's Bay Cancer Society. “It's a special day for us here at Hawke's Bay Racing to be able to contribute to our local cancer society,” Castles said. “It's a terrible disease that afflicts so many people and no one is immune to being caught up in it. My mother this year has had cancer treatment and she was able to capitalise on the great stuff that the cancer society are able to provide.
“It is special to all of us here and we are thrilled and privileged to be able to raise money for the cancer society and see them make a difference in our community.”
In addition to a quality program of racing, there is the promise of plenty of action with The Hits free family zone with children's entertainment, live music, and a food precinct offering Hawke's Bay's finest outdoor catering.