Hastings is set to put on a stunning spring raceday for the grand finale of the Colliers Hawke’s Bay Spring Carnival, the thoroughbred action headlined by the Gr.1 Livamol Classic (2040m).

After kicking off with an exciting opener at Tarzino Trophy Daffodil Raceday, the next stop on The Grand Tour saw revellers brave the cold at Arrowfield Stud Plate Raceday a fortnight ago. Returning for the final Hastings leg this Saturday, October 14, the day is sure to be one to remember with live entertainment on offer throughout the day, headlined by Kiwi hip-hop DJ P-Money in The Grand Tour Festival Zone.

Racegoers will be treated to a ten-race card including the Gr.1 Livamol Classic (2040m), which will complete the Hastings Triple Crown of group one races. The Tarzino Trophy (1400m) was claimed by Te Akau Racing’s Skew Wiff, while Andrew Forsman’s mare Mustang Valley put on a dominant display to claim the Arrowfield Stud Plate.

Mustang Valley will return to Hastings aiming to go back-to-back, while also defending her Livamol Classic crown from 2022. She will contest a classy field, including fellow Group One victors in Defibrillate, and local hope Callsign Mav, while also facing classy middle-distance stakes performers making their first appearance of the carnival in Pearl Of Alsace, Platinum Invador and Dionysus. Ladies Man, one of two Allan Sharrock-trained runners, will also be one of interest, vying for a trip across the Tasman for the Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) following the feature event.

The sprinting stars will feature earlier in the undercard, going to battle in the Gr.3 Valley D’Vine Restaurant Spring Sprint (1400m). A competitive affair includes Romancing The Moon, a Group One-winner at three, joined by last year’s second and third placegetters in Old Town Road and Tavis Court. Several group-level performers further boost the 15-horse field, among these Our Alley Cat and Spring Tide, and in-form last start winners Apostrophe, Dusty Road and Puketiro.

Spectators are spoiled for choice when it comes to hospitality , with options including the Three Wise Birds Mini Marquee Village priced at $2500 for minimum of 10 guests, or the Private Marquee Package for a minimum of 100 guests ($300pp). The Villa Maria Platinum Club ($300pp) and Trackside Garden Bar ($125pp) also provide an excellent food and beverage selection, with all four of these packages having access to the all-day entertainment in The Grand Tour Festival Zone.

For more information and ticketing options, click here.

Gates at Hastings Racecourse open at 11.00am, with the first race scheduled to run at 12.20pm. The feature Gr.1 Livamol Classic (2040m) is set to commence at 4.26pm.

What: Livamol Classic Raceday

Where: Hastings Racecourse, 300 Prospect Road, Ruareka, Hawke’s Bay, 4122

When: 11.00am, Saturday 14 October

Eat, drink and get racy at The Grand Tour.