Castlepoint under starter's orders

It looks like the Castlepoint races are back on track again this year, with favourable beach conditions, making it the second year in a row the races have gone ahead.

Before last year the races had been cancelled for several years because of storms sweeping away sand and leaving rocks exposed on the beach.

President of the Castlepoint Racing Club Andrew Pottinger said the beach conditions for March 2 were promising.

"At this stage the beach is looking very good, so it looks like it's going to go ahead," Mr Pottinger said.

The race day coincides with the annual Golden Shears in Masterton and Mr Pottinger hopes this may increase the number of people that come to the races.

Mr Pottinger said the races were restricted to this day because of tidal requirements. "We're restricted by the tide when we can and can't run. We have to have a low tide to get the races in."

About 3000 people attended the races last year and Mr Pottinger is expecting similar numbers this time round. "It was a great family day, it's great to see people coming out and supporting it [the races] after an absence of four years."

There will be eight races on the day, the first will begin at about midday (tide permitting) and the main race, the Castlepoint Cup will begin about 2.30pm.

Mr Pottinger said there would be about 45 to 50 horses racing throughout the day. Punters can bet under an equaliser system, tickets are $2 and horses are assigned at random.

In between races will be various activities including, a fashion parade and pony rides. "It's just a great family day to see some horse racing and have a lovely picnic on the beach," Mr Pottinger said.

Parking costs $20 per car or $5 per person. Castlepoint is a 45-minute drive from Masterton.