Dear Oh Dear post race
- A ten-race card comprising 116 runners took place on the Polytrack for the second day of the 2023 Grand National Festival of Racing.
- A unique race for horses placed first, second or third on a synthetic racecourse was written as the feature race on the programme. The $45,000 event drew a capacity field and was taken out by Cambridge visitor DEAR OH DEAR. There was however a real Canterbury connection with trainer and part owner Les Collins having been an apprentice with Tuahiwi trainer Ray Harris and his wife, and co-owner, Helen a daughter of one of the great publican racing men of yesteryear Don Corbett. Don was mine host at the Plough Hotel in Rangiora, a most successful owner-trainer and fearless punter. DEAR OH DEAR set new track record of 1-21.47 for the 1400 metres.
- The days other feature the open staying races was won by the Terri Rae trained GLORIFIED with part owner, Cambridge trainer, Tony Pike on course to watch.
- A highlight of the day was the ever-popular champion jockey Lisa Allpress return to the winners stall after a surgery enforced layoff. Lisa won aboard NOTABADPONY in the second race, FRENCH ROSE for the Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson team in race 6 and GLORIFIED.
- An extremely well-bred rider, Amber Riddell, took put the Nautical Insurance Grand National Amateur Championship aboard the Andrew Carston trained BAD FLAMINGO. For good measure Andrew saddles the trifecta with TAKE THAT and DAME COUNTY filling the minors. Amber is a daughter of top rider Jonathon Riddell and Trina Marshall. Trina a daughter South Canterbury commentator Lachie Marshall was also a successful apprentice with the late great Ned Thistoll.
- Race 3 provided a special moment for owner-trainer Bruce Sarginson who prepared his first winner with CRUISE in the hands of Yogesh Atchamah.
- The North South count on day two of the Grand National Festival was 6-4 in favour of the south.