Fine weather and large crowds expected

Fine weather and large crowds expected for NZ Cup and Show Week

Hot on the heels of Melbourne Cup and Rugby World Cup festivities the country's biggest and most vibrant spring festival, New Zealand Cup and Show Week, begins this Saturday 7 November.

The forecast is looking fine and early numbers suggest Addington Raceway, Riccarton Park Racecourse and the Canterbury A&P Show are set for yet another year of large crowds.

Tickets to Addington Raceway's Lindauer Lawn on NZ Trotting Cup Day, Tuesday 10 November, are expected to sell out in the coming days with 85 per cent of tickets already sold.

General admission tickets to race days at Riccarton Park Racecourse are still on sale. It pays to purchase tickets at the early bird price now to avoid missing out.

The Canterbury A&P Show has increased the capacity of two popular attractions to cope with growing demand from visitors. Temporary grandstand seating has been built around the woodchopping arena and the Mike Greer Homes City Farmyard has doubled in size. Livestock and equestrian entries have increased ahead of last year despite a tough year for farmers, promising a large variety of events to delight and entertain show visitors.

Christchurch City Council Community Arts and Events Unit Manager Richard Attwood says early numbers suggest big turnouts to key events during the week from 7 - 14 November.

"New Zealand Cup and Show Week is one of our most popular festivals and we are looking forward to seeing large turnouts at all the major events," says Mr Attwood.

"We have a full week of events guaranteed to get everyone out and about and continue the celebratory atmosphere in the city."

Sothys New Zealand 2000 Guineas Day at Riccarton Park Racecourse marks the official start of New Zealand Cup and Show Week this Saturday.

New Zealand Cup and Show Week key events:

Saturday 7 November

• Sothys New Zealand 2000 Guineas Day, Riccarton Park Racecourse

Tuesday 10 November

• Christchurch Casino New Zealand Trotting Cup Day, Addington Raceway

• Westfield Riccarton Cup Day Style Stakes, Addington Raceway

Wednesday 11 November

• Canterbury A&P Show, ASB Agricultural Park

• Coupland’s Bakeries Mile, Riccarton Park Racecourse

Thursday 12 November

• Christchurch Casino New Zealand Greyhound Cup, Addington Raceway

• Canterbury A&P Show, ASB Agricultural Park

• Le Noir - The Dark Side of Cirque, Issac Theatre Royal

Friday 13 November – Canterbury Anniversary Day

• Show Day Races, Addington Raceway

• Canterbury A&P Show, ASB Agricultural Park

• Le Noir - The Dark Side of Cirque, Issac Theatre Royal

Saturday 14 November

• Christchurch Casino NZ Cup and New Zealand Bloodstock 1000 Guineas Day, Riccarton Park Racecourse

• Fashion in the Field, Riccarton Park Racecourse

• Le Noir - The Dark Side of Cirque, Issac Theatre Royal

Christchurch City Council is reminding people heading to the main race days at Addington Raceway and Riccarton Park Racecourse of alcohol bans in the areas.

In Addington the ban is around Addington Raceway from 9am to 10pm on Tuesday 10 November. The area is bounded by Blenheim Road, Moorhouse Avenue, Lincoln Road, Wrights Road and Matipo Street.

A new ban is in place around Riccarton Park Racecourse from 7am to midnight on Saturday 14 November. The area is bounded by both sides of Yaldhurst Road to Middlepark Road, Epsom Road to Racecourse Road, Buchanans Road to Masham Road and Masham Road to Yaldhurst Road.

For more information, and to purchase tickets for all of the festival events, visit www.nzcupandshow.co.nz

Follow New Zealand Cup and Show Week on:

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/NZCupandShow

Twitter – https://twitter.com/nzcupandshow

Instagram – http://instagram.com/nzcupandshow

Snapchat - Add NZCUPANDSHOW

ENDS

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