Entertainment
Two groups have won a total of $3000 towards the cost of their marquee packages for Christmas at the Races at the Ascot Park Racecourse in Invercargill to be held in December.
In a press release this week (September 27) from the Southland Racing Club, event manager Andrea Thomas confirmed Jenn Corkery and Ainslie Templeton each won the local ($2000 prize) and nationwide ($1000 prize) giveaway, respectively.
Guests who booked a hospitality or marquee package, for the December 16 event, before August 31, automatically went into the draw.
Ms Thomas said bookings for the summer event were doing really well with most of the marquee sites sold out and only two tables left in the Parade Ring package.
“We are establishing new marquee spots as we get enquiries,” she said.
Tickets were still available for the Ultimate Racing Experience, the NZME Grandstand and Lawn, and the Speight’s Garden Party.
This year Christmas at the Races would be introducing RFID wristband technology on course, with other racecourse’s throughout New Zealand interested in following, if the system proves successful.
The technology will allow 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,” Ms Thomas 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 of 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,” Ms Thomas said.
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.
On course betting will still be done in the traditional way, with the club introducing new ways to engage punters to having a flutter, including more EFTPOS points with the TAB.
The club’s committee are very happy with plans for the race meeting, including providing a more engaging and fulfilling race meeting.
- Christmas at the Races, Ascot Park Raceway, Invercargill. Saturday, December 16, 11am.