Covid Dresses, Fillies and Relay Make New Zealand Trotting Cup Day a Winner

It was the social calendar highlight of the year for many, as colorful fashion and excitement on the track lit up a cool, cloudy day for a sold-out New Zealand Trotting Cup Day.

The big event, held at Addington Raceway on Tuesday, kicked off Canterbury’s anniversary week.

With Covid stopping the Canterbury Agricultural Show for the first time since World War II, the trot and gallop cups at Addington and Riccarton Park are the star events of the week.

A crowd of 12,000 attendees for the race was on the way, with numbers significantly lower than in previous years due to Covid restrictions.

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In the big race of the day, Mark Purdon led the Australian-owned Self Assured to the other side of the line to win the Cup.

Horses trained at the All Stars stable, owned by Purdon and Natalie Rasmussen, pulled the trifecta with Spankem crossing second and Ashley Locaz in third. The pair have already trained six of the last seven Cup champions.

But the highlight for much of the crowd was the fashion scene.

Elegant suits were put alongside some creative freestyle endeavors, with suits for the gentlemen and hats and heels for the ladies the most popular choice.

The judges selected Laura Campbell of Waikato as the best dressed lady. Campbell, a farmer turned accountant, dubbed her high-visibility orange suit “road cone chic.”

“I am the best dressed road cone you’ve ever seen.”

The best dressed man was Dylan Booysens.

For many, the party spirit started early with champagne breakfasts in the city’s restaurants and ended late as they continued to party at night spots.

Among those who celebrated was Isabelle Fox, who believes she may have won around $ 15,000 in a series of bets during the day.

Fox, who decided not to make his regular trip to the Melbourne Cup due to Covid travel restrictions, spent around $ 2000 to get his excellent payday.

“We are really delighted to have made good profits. It has been incredible, ”he said.

Addington Raceway CEO Brian Thompson said he was pleased to see the weather improve after looking “a little sinister” earlier in the day.

“The police were happy with the way everyone behaved, it was a great day and people enjoyed the festivities,” he said.

Police did not report major problems at the racetrack.

Among those attending the race was Michael Willetts, who traveled from Wānaka and has attended Cup Day for the past 27 years in costume.

This time he came as Mr Incredible from the movie. The Incredibles, with friend David Garters whose suit was inspired by bat Man The Riddler character.

Willetts said he will keep coming back to the Cup, joking that even when he’s older with a walker he will be there in disguise.

“It’s always a good buzz, it’s always good to get home at night. The wallet is tired and so is the body, but I love it, ”he says.

Jack Roper, who recently returned from living in England to see his family, came to the races after coming out of solitary confinement a week ago.

“I haven’t been able to stand in a pub for six or seven months, so just doing any of these things … I’m absolutely blessed to be here,” he said.

Celebrity appearances included former All Blacks captain Richie McCaw delivering the Cup by helicopter, and local singer Hayley Westernra leading the crowd in the national anthem.

The Christchurch party atmosphere will continue throughout the week, with more jogging in Addington on show day this Friday, and the Canterbury Jockey Club will hold races at Riccarton Park on Wednesday and their New Zealand Cup on Saturday.