“It’s easily the best race day I’ve been to at Waipukurau, and that would be the biggest we have ever done.
“If anyone tells you any different they are lying.
“That’s the biggest race day we have ever done [in Waipukurau] by a country mile.”
Waipukurau Racecourse has been in place for over a century.
The mascot race was a big hit.
As well as racing, the event featured fun activities for children, fashion in the field, a mascot race on the track, a gathering of life members, and “just something for everybody”.
Lawrence said Waipukurau had not had an event of that size in a long time and locals turned out for it.
Tauranga-trained horse Enright wins the feature race, the Waipukurau Cup. Photo / Jane Davidson
“It was just epic.”
On Saturday, a helicopter was used to dry out a portion of the track ahead of the Sunday racing, which enjoyed fine weather.
Waipukurau Racecourse is hosting two more race days in the near future on Sunday February 15 and Sunday April 26.
Racing is expected to return to Hastings Racecourse next spring.
As for the racing on Sunday, the nine-race card carried total prize money of $183,000.
The feature race, the Waipukurau Cup, was raced for $35,000 which was won by Tauranga-trained Enright (earning $20,125).
Enright jockey Erin Leighton said it was “honestly one of the coolest days I’ve experienced on a New Zealand racetrack”.
“It was incredibly well run.
“I think Kirsty Lawrence sold the place out, and they were all having a great time.
“She also provided plenty of iceblocks for the jockeys, which we appreciated.
“It was an amazing day, and to win the Cup was icing on the cake and a real thrill.”
A video of the mascot race, which is available on the Waipukurau Jockey Club Facebook page, has been viewed more than 50,000 times.