Spring brings racing action

Former supermodel Kylie Bax Poros will be in the Bay this weekend for the spring racing carnival. Photo / APN

Racing season kicks off this weekend with the country's best horses making their spring debut at the Hastings racecourse.

There are plenty of drawcards for this weekend's Rush Munro's Spring Carnival, including free public entry, kids entertainment, former supermodel Kylie Bax Poros as fashion scout for the day, and an exclusive sausage showcase.

General manager of Hawke's Bay Racing, Jason Fleming, said Turks Bar in Havelock North had subsidised the gate for not only tomorrow's event but for the next spring racing event later in September.

"The free gate is a big thing for us. We're hoping it will attract everyone to come and enjoy a great day at the races," Mr Fleming said.

The sausage showcase is being put on by the Village Butcher and Emerson's Brewery in Dunedin.

It involves matching craft beers with the Bay's best sausages.

For those more interested in fashion than food, Kylie Bax Poros, who has returned from overseas and is living in Cambridge, will make her way to Hawke's Bay for tonight's racing awards which acknowledge last season's efforts.

She will stay in the Bay over the weekend to act as a fashion scout during tomorrow's event.

Winners will be awarded vouchers from Hunt and Seek boutique in Havelock North.

Mr Fleming said a typical spring day was expected for tomorrow, with MetService forecasting a high of 12C and cloudy periods with scattered showers.

He said the races would go ahead unless the weather turned "diabolical".

The races kick off at 12.20pm with nine races throughout the day.