Spring is in the air and carnival racing is upon us, with the first Group One race of the season set to take place at Hastings on Saturday.

The Tarzino Trophy Daffodil Raceday is the first stop of The Grand Tour, a celebration of New Zealand's top 20 horse racing events, including Hawke’s Bay’s iconic three-day spring carnival.

The marquee race of the day, the Gr.1 Westbury Stud Tarzino Trophy (1400m), will feature some of the best racehorses in New Zealand, including Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) winner and Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) hopeful Sharp ‘N’ Smart, as well as multiple Group One winners Legarto, Pennyweka, and Callsign Mav.

The Tarzino Trophy will be the cherry on top of a fantastic day of racing, which will also include the running of the Gr.3 HBPB Thoroughbred Breeders’ Assn Gold Trail Stakes (1200m) and Listed El Roca - Sir Colin Meads Trophy (1200m).

There will be plenty of entertainment and family fun on offer for racegoers, including bouncy castles, face painting, kids fashion fun parade, and much more. General admission is free, with the opportunity to support the Hawke’s Bay Cancer Society with a donation at the gate.

Hawke’s Bay Racing also have a number of hospitality packages on offer, ranging from entry to the members stand ($30) to access to the Westbury Stud Tarzino Premier Lounge ($220pp). For more information on hospitality packages click here.

Gates open at 11am with the first race scheduled to jump at midday.

What: Tarzino Trophy Daffodil Raceday

Where: Hastings Racecourse, 300 Prospect Road

When: 11am, Saturday September 9