Racing this time in a city ready to have a good time

Paul Salter (front) and Regan Batt work on getting Addington Raceway's corporate tents ready for the big carnival. Photo / Simon Baker

It's the annual racing carnival week in which Cantabrians let loose and celebrate as one. But this year, it has much greater significance.

Canterbury's New Zealand Cup and Show Week, beginning today, is New Zealand's biggest line-up of horse racing, the largest A&P show in the land, and a host of fashion events and other entertainment.

It is a welcome respite each year from the daily grind of work and responsibility.

This year, more importantly, it is a chance for people to come together and put behind them a traumatic two months since the region was hit by a devastating 7.1 magnitude earthquake.

Most of the rubble has been cleared and life is returning to normal, but aftershocks are still giving an almost daily reminder of the disaster.

Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker said Cup and Show Week was an important opportunity to forget about the quake and aftershocks, if only for a few hours.

"We need this," he said. "It's a kind of happiness therapy ..."

The Christchurch City Council marketing manager, Richard Stokes, said the week's programme had not been changed because of the earthquake, but it was a fitting time for celebrating the region.

He expects it to be an extension of the community spirit seen at the recent Band Together concert, which drew more than 100,000 spectators.

"I think everybody feels as if we have all pulled together, so I'm sure everyone will be ready for a good social time."

The week's events draw about 44,000 people from outside Christchurch, including many from the North Island and overseas.

More than 100,000 people are expected to visit the Canterbury A&P Show.

Last year the week put $23.5 million into the local economy, and it is expected that the financial benefits will be even greater this year as a run of fine weather is forecast.

The action starts today, with the $1 Million Magic NZ 2000 Guineas Day, during which Australasia's best three-year-olds will compete in the main race of the day.

The big racing day, the New Zealand Trotting Cup, is on Tuesday at Addington Raceway.

The A&P Show opens the following day.