It was smiles all around for the Wanganui Greyhound Racing Club as the little group out of Hatrick Raceway was judged as having put on the best Christmas at the Races for 2015 at the NZ Racing Board's WOW Factor awards at the weekend.
Out of all the horse, harness, and greyhound events held at tracks around the country with the Christmas theme - 47 events by 28 clubs in all - the Wanganui Greyhounds were chosen for their extra effort with customers, having put on three events on consecutive Fridays last December.
Returning from the ceremony at Trentham Racecourse yesterday, racing club manager Erin Woods said it was the first time a greyhound track has received the board's prize.
It was also impressive for a small centre to be recognised compared with the big Christmas races in Auckland and Wellington.
"We were quite successful. It's absolutely huge," Woods said. "The [board] events team go to every event, they nominate the top four. They nominate on who excelled or who over achieved."