Serepisos hit by punter at races

Serepisos and a companion leave the first aid room. Photo / Dean Pemberton

Former sponsor knocked to the ground at the Trentham races.

Former Apprentice host Terry Serepisos has been assaulted in front of a large crowd at the Wellington Cup races.

Serepisos was at the Trentham Racecourse with members of the Wellington Races Club when he was bashed by a punter. A witness, who did not want to be named, said Serepisos was knocked to the ground in a busy public area about 4.30pm, an hour before the major $200,000 race.

"He was hit in the head and it looks like he had bruise on his eye," the witness said. The altercation happened so quickly he did not know if it was provoked.

"It's a beautiful day but that spoiled it really - just too hot and too much booze probably."

Serepisos was taken to a first aid room but left shortly after with a woman and putting a hand up to cameras.

Wellington Racing Club president Darin Balcombe said the assault put a "damper" on the day. "He is fine, we helped him off the course and into a car."

Serepisos did not return calls from the Herald on Sunday.

His Century City Developments sponsored the Wellington Cup races until 2010, before he was declared bankrupt.