The Whangarei Racing Club’s New Season Race Day event at Ruakaka on Saturday didn’t pull a big crowd of spectators but the gees-gees and their handlers still put on a great show. The “M” word was on a few trainers’ lips as a couple of the horses were talked-up for outings across the ditch — a Melbourne Spring Carnival Cox Plate on the cards and, possibly in the future for at least one, a tilt at the Melbourne Cup. Meanwhile, the drier turf of Ruakaka offered an ideal place for horses from wetter fields to stretch out. Story page 32. John Stone took some photos.
