Glamour moves to the streets for pared down Cup Day in Christchurch

Tuesday, 9 November 2021

Covid-19 restrictions meant the normally bustling NZ Trotting Cup event at Addington was pared back this year.

It was a very different Cup Day.

About 20,000 people normally attend the annual event at Christchurch’s Addington Raceway, but this year, due to Covid-19 restrictions, it was just 1000.

It was the first time Cup Day had not been open to the public in its 117-year history.

The infamous Lindauer Lawn was eerily silent and even as New Zealand Trotting Cup winner Copy That crossed the finish line, the crowd was muted.

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The first race of the programme of the IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup Day. Due to Covid-19 restrictions, the usual big crowd was not allowed to be there to cheer on the horses.

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About 1000 participants, owners, trainers and hospitality guest attended this year’s Cup Day.

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Friends Tania Anderson, Kari Barr and Terry Mcleod are among the luck few to be able to attend the event.

The grey skies and drizzle further dulled the mood.

For an event synonymous with style, the ultimate accessory was the face mask, and those lucky enough to attend had to stick to their bubble.

Gemma Dudson, left, and Georgia Henderson welcome punters to the Christchurch Casino for a pared down Addington Raceway Cup Day celebration.

In the stables there was an air of stoicism but driver Jim Curtin – who won New Zealand Trotting Cup with Terror To Love in 2011 – had to admit it was “not as good as it could be”.

“There's no atmosphere really, nothing like we usually have, it’s very disappointing,” he said.

Ricky May, who recorded his 3000th winning drive in New Zealand in July, said it was “pretty boring” without the large crowds.

“There's such a great atmosphere on Cup Day, and it's all gone today, but that's the world we live in,” he said.

“You do get a bit of a buzz if there's a crowd here, there's no doubt about it.”

Former All Blacks captain Richie McCaw delivers the New Zealand Trotting Cup alongside war veterans Neil Harton and Jack Marshall during an empty New Zealand Trotting Cup Day at Addington Raceway.

Driver Craig Ferguson, who rode Robyns Playboy in the cup, said it was great the event was still going ahead despite the restrictions.

“This is the biggest day, it's the one everyone looks forward to,” he said.

Cheryl Hanston and Hayley Clien are happy to support local hospitality venues in Christchurch despite not being able to attend the Addington Raceway Cup Day.

“It's a lot different to other years, obviously there are no crowds, and it's certainly noticeable.

“Once the guys are on the track it's business as usual, and they probably don't notice so much.”

Hannah Engstrom, Micki Ridden, Gigi Munro, Jessamine Seng and Liliya Katernoza dressed up for Cup Day and headed into town. Normally they would attend the races.

Among those in attendance were friends Tania Anderson, Kari Barr and Terry Mcleod.

They went along every year and Barr said the lack of crowds and queues for the toilets meant it was “better than ever”.

Patrick Keegan and Mere Hancock celebrated Cup Day on The Terrace.

Andrew Bell enters the Addington precinct for the IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup Day. Due to Covid-19 restrictions no crowd is present in the public areas or the famous Lindauer lawn.

“It’s been fabulous,” she said. “The best ever.”

In central Christchurch, hospitality venues benefited from Cup Day punters still eager to don their glad rags.

As the day got under way, every bar along The Terrace was heaving.

Long dresses in palettes of bright summer colours and dapper waistcoats proved popular among those out and about, as did margaritas and Champagne.

At Amazonita, Cheryl Hanston said she would normally be at Addington Raceway but was pleased so many people were choosing to support hospitality businesses in the city.

“These places would only benefit after the races but here we are eating and drinking.”

Patrick Keegan and Mere Hancock were missing the race day atmosphere but said it was “nice” to do something.

“It’s better than being at work,” Hancock said.

Just down the strip, a group of young women hired dresses from their friend Jessamine Seng’s hire business and entered a photo competition for best dressed that was taking place in the city.

Hannah Engstrom, Micki Ridden, Gigi Munro, and Liliya Katernoza joined Seng to “make the most” of Cup Day, despite the restrictions meaning they could not attend in person.

Although missing being at the meet, the women said they were having a “lovely day” and planned to do it all again on Saturday.