Southland Racing Club has chosen What’s On Invers as its preferred media partner for this year’s Christmas at the Races.

Southland Racing Club President Sean Bellew said What’s On Invers’ ability to deliver with up-to-the-minute news to an expansive viewing audience led to the decision.

“We, the SRC, heavily relies on What’s on Invers to be one of our mainstream mediums to deliver our message. What’s on Invers has the viewing audience that we need to tap into. As a large event organiser, we want our message delivered quickly and precisely and this platform delivers every time.”

What’s On Invers Founder/Managing Director Mike Sanford with Christmas at the Races Event Manager Ana Corkery Events. Photo: whatsoninvers.nz

What’s On Invers founder and managing director Mike Sanford said it was a great opportunity to be selected by Southland Racing Club as a preferred media partner for such an event like Christmas at the Races.

“This is one of many exciting partnerships, we will be announcing more very soon. What’s On Invers has become the go-to source for local news and events in the Invercargill and Southland region,” Mike says.

That’s not all that’s new at this year’s Christmas at the Races, with wristband technology introduced at last year’s event here to stay. Event Manager Ana Corkery said the RFID wristbands, or AWOP as it was known on course, proved very successful. They allowed guests to pay for their food and drinks with their wristband instead of using cash.

“It is a safer option for the club, as a one-day event operation, to reduce cash management while speeding up the experience for guests, with faster and smoother transactions,” Miss Corkery said.

The wristband was a very simple, user-friendly system which can be purchased online or at the gate on the day. Guests can choose to top up the wristband with credit when they pre-order online or when they arrive at the course.

“It is a great tool to pre-pay for your day, so customers can budget in advance for their food and drink spend.”

All guests can receive a refund of the remaining balance on the wristband by heading to the kiosk on-course or via the AWOP (awop.co.nz) website for four weeks following the event.

Watch the demonstration video from last year about how the AWOP wrist bands work:

On-course betting will still be done in the traditional way, with the club introducing new ways to engage punters to have a flutter, including more EFTPOS points with the TAB.

The club’s committee is very happy with plans for the race meeting, including providing a more engaging and fulfilling race meeting.

The Marquee Village is now sold out, with many returning guests using Christmas at the Races as a Christmas work function or a get-together with friends.

There are very limited Bespoke Marquee packages available in the Beech Sky Garden. These final sites will sell quickly, so be sure to get in touch to book so you don’t miss out!

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