Christmas at the Races Review
Sold out hospitality witness some competitive racing
- December the 6ths ‘Christmas at the Races’ meeting played out in front of sold out Christmas Parties and heralded the end of racing at Riccarton Park for the calendar year 2019. Racing resumes on Saturday 25 January 2020 with the time in-between allowing for renovation of the course.
- The John White Bloodstock Open drew a small but select field of sprinters. DON CARLO had been off the scene since April 2018 before resuming at the NZ Cup Meeting. Whilst it might been only a $15,000 race at a non-feature raceday the pride on the face of trainer Michael Daly after the gelding returned to winning form after such a long injury layoff said it all. Quality mare EMILY MARGARET ran second and Group 1 winner ENZO’S LAD ran third.(see image).
- Kylie Williams rode DON CARLO who was one of three winners on the day for the popular rider. Daly had also been successful earlier in the day with TAMALIN in the 1600 metres maiden.
- Only six horses competed in the Open distance race the ‘Remembering Errol Skelton Open Handicap with ZENTESSA and Doni Prastiyou defeating ALBUT ME and SHEZATOUCHA.
- Club Chairman Gordon Fulton gained a much deserved winner when TOP LAURELS who he part owns carried his maroon and white hoops to victory in the Dunstan Horse Feeds Rating 72. Paul Harris who has previously enjoyed the highest success at Riccarton Park was the trainer of the former Hong Kong galloper with Jason Laking the rider.
- Another Board member, Susanne Dunnett, tasted success when the mare VOUCH who she part owns won the final race on the programme in the hands of Kylie Williams for local trainer Andrew Carston.
