A massive day is planned for Racing Tauranga this Saturday, November 4, as the club celebrates 150 years of horse racing in the city.

“Not too many local clubs would still be thriving or even in existence 150 years after their inception,” says Racing Tauranga chairman Carl McCombs.

“This Saturday’s special ‘150-year celebration’ race day is all about thanking the community for their support. It’s the community that has kept racing strong in Tauranga.”

The city’s first-ever race meeting was held on the Government Paddock course on January 1, 1873. Post- event there was support to form a racing club, and the search began for a suitable location.

Today, Racing Tauranga is one of the most successful racecourses in New Zealand and one of the longest-running community organisations in the Bay of Plenty.

Racing Tauranga general manager Louise Dean says the concept of tomorrow’s race day is to “invite everyone along to celebrate this milestone with us”.

“Entry is free and we have lined lots of activities alongside the 10-race programme.”

The day begins with a Mainstreet Greerton Vintage Market at Greerton Library square at 9am; then the racing begins midday at the racecourse.

“Whether people drop in to the racecourse for 10 minutes or the entire day – there will be something to do,” says Louise.

Circus in a flash will keep the kids entertained along with a colouring in competition and the Bayleys vintage photo booth for all ages.

For those who like to dress up, there’s a fashion in the field – with the theme ‘Fashion through the Ages’ – with prizes to be won. Bay of Plenty Vintage Car club will display old cars and mini7s, and there will be music on the lawn along with market stalls and food trucks.

For the keen punter there will be The Super Liquor Punter of The Year competition.

On the track the programme has increased from eight to 10 races due to the large amount of horses nominated.

In the feature race – the Flying Mullet 1400 – two former Ultimate Mazda Japan Trophy winners in Brando, from 2023, locally owned, and Packing Rockstar, from 2021, are among a quality field that includes local trainer Jim Pender’s Gospodin, Riodini – which has clocked up more than $1 million in winnings and returned from Australia earlier this year – and Clever Ruds, also locally-owned.

Another local favourite Roger That, trained by Anthony Fuller and a previous Auckland Cup winner, will line up in the other feature race the Seeka 2100. Racing gets underway at midday!