Phar Lap Raceway back on track with first race meeting in seven months
Phar Lap Raceways first meeting in seven months attracted its biggest crowd in years with the number of races boosted from seven to nine to cope with demand. South Canterbury Racing Club president Noel Walker said the club set out to prove itself to the heads of the racing industry when it held its aptly-named Back on Track meeting on Sunday, the Timaru racecourse having been recommended for closure in the Government-commissioned 2018 Messara Report. A petition to keep it open got 600 signatures in support of South Canterbury racing, Walker said. The Phar Lap Raceway is an equestrian reserve that we look after for the people of South Canterbury. READ MORE: * Racing returns to Phar Lap Raceway * Crowds enjoy Christmas races at Timaru's Phar Lap Raceway * Phar Lap memorabilia set for auction in Australia Wed like to think we can still run races here in the next three to four years, but we dont know whats round the corner. More than 130 horses and between 300 and 400 spectators flocked to the racecourse over the weekend, which Walker said was evidence of a strong appetite for racing in the region. However, the industry gave the club few opportunities to prove it, scheduling most of its race days during the working week when the club was only able to get enough numbers to break even. We had the biggest crowd weve had for a long time. It was especially good for this time of year, Walker said. Were going to be sending photos and videos to the powers-that-be up north to show the kind of crowd we can get on a Sunday. Walker said all club members were volunteers. We get a drink at the end of the day if were lucky, and a free lunch. The last race meeting was held in December the Covid-19 lockdown shutting down others in between. The next meeting will be in September.