Racing: Celebration at Ellerslie

The Auckland Racing Club is celebrating the success of its second official midweek twilight meeting, at Ellerslie on Wednesday.

The condensed, three-hour racing programme, winning jockeys returning to scale to the theme song of their choice and a live mini concert put on by James Reid of the Feelers after the last race proved popular.

Off-course, on-course and fixed-odds turnover was well ahead of budget. On-course betting was $171,146, 54.7 per cent ahead, and off-course punters spent $787,016, about 12 per cent more than budgeted.

Fixed-odds betting was $96,294 or 141 per cent ahead of target.

CEO Chris Weaver said all expectations were exceeded and the focus now was on the inaugural Auckland Cup Week beginning March 4.