It's not often you see Cambridge Raceway lit up like a Christmas tree on a Tuesday night in August.
It was Dave Branch’s first day as Operations Manager and the 27-year-old didn’t want to waste any time, telling the local business community all about the positives of both harness racing and Cambridge Raceway.
Branch also took the opportunity to launch the new ‘look and feel’ for Cambridge Raceway.
“I want to let everyone in the Waikato and Bay of Plenty know just how great our sport is, and about the great facilities we have to offer here – both on race night and any other days that people want to use the venue," he said.
He said he wanted to engage locals and get them more involved in both the racing and the Cambridge Raceway amenities.
“Cambridge is a really tight knit community that we are keen to be more involved with," Branch said.
It was this thinking that led to the partnership with the local Chamber of Commerce for last nights event.
Cambridge Chamber of Commerce CEO, Tania Witheford applauded Branch’s initiative and urged people to get along to the track and support the club and utilise its facilities.
“Harness racing looks so exciting and I would have loved to have had a go in those dual sulkies. I want to thank David for making the night possible and making us more aware of the great club and amenities we have here.
“I hope everyone spreads the good word and supports David, his club and all their staff and club members,” Witheford said.
Branch is a visionary, and motivated administrator who comes to the job with extensive admin experience at both Alexandra Park and at Les Mills Gym in London. He also has hands-on experience having been a winning amateur, junior and open driver (19 wins in total). He has also trained five winners.
He's certainly not afraid to think outside the square if last night's function was anything to go by.
As locals made their way to the elevator, to get them to the function room they were greeted by two horses in a stall - under the grandstand.
"It was their birthday after all and they are the reason we all have jobs. We just wanted to try something different and I think people loved the concept," Branch said.
He also has big ideas for the Group One Jewels and other major meetings in 2017-2018.
“The plan is to make our Jewels meeting bigger and better than it ever has been. We will be hosting some of the 100th Jewels races on June 2nd and want to really celebrate the occasion in style.
“That is our premier day of racing – that and our Christmas Eve meeting. Tonight’s gathering is just to make people more aware of the facilities we have and just how great our sport is,” Branch said.
“We also have ideas on attracting the youth to our sport. If we miss out on another generation then there is no future,” Branch said.
More than 100 business operators, horsemen/women and media flocked to Cambridge Raceway on Tuesday night. Michael Guerin was MC and George Simon commentated a four-horse dual sulky race for four business owners.
“When people arrived we got them to put their business cards in a hat and we drew four winners out. They then went out onto the track and had the time of their lives.
“They were all buzzing. This is the whole purpose of tonight. We want to make people more aware of the excitement of racing – both on and off the racetrack,” Branch said.
The winning driver, who led all the way with David Butcher doing the steering was Vaughan Hawkins of Conach House Bed and Breakfast.
“I was confident from the outset. We led all the way and I was on the best horse. It was all too easy,” joked Hawkins.
“Seriously this was such an adrenalin rush. I would recommend it to anyone,” he added.
Rob Lawson, Chairman of Waikato-Bay of Plenty Harness, and member of the Harness Racing New Zealand executive, spoke to the audience as did local trainer-owner-breeder-driver, Dr Luk Chin.
