Hawke's Bay Racing Board director Mike White is about to join the Daffodil Police Force.
Hawke's Bay Racing Board director Mike White is about to join the Daffodil Police Force.
When it comes to supporting a good cause Hawke's Bay Racing Board director Mike White doesn't mind poking fun at himself, and hopes race goers this Saturday won't take him too seriously either.
That's because the owner and manager of Hastings Bedpost will be leaving his usual day job to moonlight as a member of the Daffodil Police for Hawke's Bay Racing's Tarzino Trophy Daffodil Raceday.
In a first for New Zealand racing clubs, Hawke's Bay Racing is throwing its full support behind the Cancer Society declaring the first leg of the Spring Racing Carnival smoke-free for the day.
"Mike has a mandate to encourage patrons to adhere to the smoke-free message of the day. Knowing his friendly disposition and cheeky demeanour I am looking forward to seeing what form that 'encouragement' takes," says Hawke's Bay Racing CEO Andrew "Butch" Castles.
"In all seriousness though there are many sporting and entertainment venues in New Zealand that are smoke-free and we are going that way for one day. It's not about asking people to leave the course if they light up, it's about encouraging them to embrace the smoke-free message of the day.
"Hawke's Bay Racing's partnership with the Cancer Society is something we hold very dear and to be able to promote one of their fundamentals by going smoke-free for the day is a no-brainer."
Sergeant Stub (aka Mike White) will spend time on Saturday roaming the crowd and handing out nicotine gum to those who need it.
Joining him on course to collect donations and spread the smoke-free message for the Cancer Society will be a troop of 70 Daffodil Day volunteers.
Hawke's Bay Cancer Society general manager Trudy Kirk says a racecourse-hosted high tea for volunteers adds a wonderful touch to the day.
"We really appreciate Hawke's Bay Racing's ongoing support and are extremely heartened to see the Racing Club declare the event 'smoke-free' for the day.
"It'll look spectacular if everyone wears as much yellow as they can. In the old days wearing daffodils was seen as a female fashion statement but it's all changed now, men are happy to put a daffodil in their lapel, it's just lovely."
Hawke's Bay Racing has a goal of raising over $100 thousand for the Cancer Society in just four years, which could be achieved this weekend.