Awapuni Racecourse

Awapuni Racecourse, New Zealand.

Awapuni Racecourse, located in Palmerston North, is the home to the Feilding, Manawatu, Marton and  Rangitikei Racing Clubs. 

The Awapuni Racecourse is the busiest training and racing venue in the lower half of the North Island, regularly attracting big crowds for its feature racedays.

Awapuni Racecourse is located in Palmerston North, to get there travel along Pioneer Highway, turn into Maxwells line, then turn right into Racecourse road.

Ford Manawatu Sires Produce Stakes - Awapuni Racecourse

The major racemeeting of the year at Awapuni Racecourse, featuring the $150,000 Ford Manawatu Sires Produce Stakes - a Group 1 two-year-old race run over 1400 metres.  The race was first run in 1908 and is one of only two Group 1 juvenile races conducted in New Zealand.

On this day the Manawatu Racing Club also conducts the time honoured $100,000 Group 2 Lawnmaster Awapuni Gold Cup, a 2000m WFA contest that was first staged in 1915.  Over the years the Gold Cup has been won by some of New Zealand's very best gallopers including Desert Gold, Nightmarch, Kindergarten, Mainbrace, Redcraze, Show Gate, Grey Way, Balmerino, La Mer and Horlicks.

In more recent years the elevation of the $100,000 Oaks Stud Manawatu Classic (for 3yo's) to Group 3 status and the creation of the $60,000 Listed Fairdale Flying Handicap (1200m) has seen four prestigious black type events run on this day.  With total prizemoney of $550,000 the Manawatu Sires Produce Stakes meeting is one of the richest and most exciting autumn events in the New Zealand racing calendar.

Entertainment at the Awapuni Racecourse includes Fashions on the Field, live music, racebook competitions and the national anthem.  Admission is $5 (under 16s free).