Get ready Hamilton, you’re up next for a massive day of Group racing action, stellar entertainment and summer fashion as The Grand Tour heads to Te Rapa Racecourse this Saturday, 16th December for SkyCity Hamilton Waikato Cup Day!

The Grand Tour has been across the country this season entertaining racegoers on our biggest racedays, and they will be spreading the Christmas cheer early at Te Rapa with the well-established Grand Tour Bar, along with good tunes throughout the day from The Edge’s DJ Sean Hill and his brother Thomas.

Kicking off with Race 1 at 12:50pm, the Thoroughbred action will include an exciting nine-race card, headlined by the Gr.3 SkyCity Hamilton Waikato Cup (2400m) at 4:59pm.

A compact, but quality 10-horse field will contest this year’s Cup, with Te Akau’s proven Group performers Aromatic and Prise De Fer challenging the up-and-coming staying talent in Mary Louise and Canheroc. Last year’s edition was taken out by Casey Lock’s Viktor Vegas, and runner-up Dionysus is back to rectify his second placing from 2022.

The black-type racing doesn’t stop there, with another competitive line-up set to face-off earlier on the card in the Gr.3 J Swap Sprint (1400m) at 2.41pm. Highlighting the sprinting stars of the track, the Te Rapa crowd will be treated to six stakes-winning runners, including classy mares Romancing The Moon and Our Alley Cat.

For the best of the fillies’ and mares contingent, an equally intriguing contest at Group Two level will commence at 3:49pm with the Gr.2 CAL Isuzu Stakes (1600m). Group One-performing pair Pearl Of Alsace and Campionessa sit ominously at the top of the book at the set weights-and-penalties conditions, however in-form trio of Hi Yo Sass Bomb, Zaila and Volare are threatening to claim a first black-type crown.

Off the track, fashion enthusiasts will find their fix with the Adashiko Fashion Stakes returning for 2023, with entries open on the day! Well qualified in both racing and fashion avenues, judges Margery Mayall and Emily Bosson are looking forward to seeing the best racewear Waikato has to offer on Saturday.

As one of the key days on the Te Rapa calendar, it comes as no surprise how popular tickets for this year’s SkyCity Hamilton Waikato Cup Day have been, with all hospitality packages sold out! Still on offer for patrons are The Public Village General Admission tickets, available for just $25 with access to TAB totes, food trucks, DJ’s, and a view of the iconic Te Rapa course from the 300m mark. These are selling out quick, so get yours here.

The first race is scheduled to jump at 12.50pm.

What: SkyCity Hamilton Waikato Cup Day.

Where: Te Rapa Racecourse, Ken Browne Drive, Te Rapa, Hamilton.

When: Saturday, 16th December 2023.

Eat, drink and get racy at thegrandtour.nz