Thousands of Wellingtonians flocked to Hutt Park Raceway for the first trotting meeting there in five years.
Wellington Trotting Club president Ivan McNicholl said the weekend of harness racing which culminated in the Wellington Cup on Sunday exceeded the club's expectations.
He said it proved the future of trotting could be at Hutt Park, subject to Hutt City Council plans to keep it as a reserve.
"We are quietly confident that the track will be there next year and we will be racing on it," he said.
The family day on Sunday, which drew crowds of more than 4500, showed there was public support for the club.
"All the visiting trainers we had and the top drivers in the country all commented favourably on the track. In their opinion Hutt Park has a place on the racing calendar," he said.
The club is scheduled to race at Hutt Park again next year and it is hoping to run a dual-meeting with the Wellington Greyhound Racing Club on one of its days.
McNicholl said the club would also look at inviting other trotting clubs from around the Wellington region to race at Hutt Park.
The meeting was the first daylight meeting there in 15 years. McNicholl said the club planned to move away from night meetings.
On-course turnover for the meeting was up $38,000 on last year and TAB turnover leapt $302,000.
The club had an embarrassing experience - someone uplifted the Interisland Transport-sponsored dress rug which was to have been presented to the connections of the Auto Auctions Wellington Trotting Cup winner.
The race was won by Canterbury pacer Panky's Pacer, trained by former Wellingtonian Robert Dunn and driven by Ricky May. He came with the last sprint to down favourite Disprove and Pride Of New York.
Club officials are confident they will recover the dress rug.
- NZPA
Racing: Return to Hutt Park supported by drivers
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