Clubs & Courses
Clubs that race at Arawa Park
Clubs & Courses IndexClub
Matamata RC
The Matamata Racing Club, located at the Matamata racecourse two kilometres south of the eastern Waikato township of Matamata, is a centre of racing and training excellence.
The Club hosts fourteen race meetings per season, including a Premier fixture in February and an October Feature raceday on their left-handed track.
The MRC also operates a busy and very successful training centre, with an average of more than 700 horses prepared on the course in any month of the year. In recent years the MRC has undertaken an extensive programme to construct four on-site stable barns, with 140 horses now accommodated there.
As well as Matamata's own schedule, the South Waikato Racing Club conducts its popular autumn race meeting at the Matamata course.
Membership: Annual subscription $45.00 includes reciprocal rights with Racing Te Aroha, Racing Rotorua, Racing Taupo and Racing Thames
Contact details
Open/close
Matamata RC
PO Box 22, Matamata 3440T: 07 888 8898
F: 07 888 6222
E: [email protected]
W: www.matamataracingclub.co.nz
All meetings
Open/close| Date | Course | Meeting Name/Type |
|---|---|---|
| Fri 19 Apr 2024 | Matamata | Industry |
| Fri 26 Apr 2024 | Matamata | Industry |
| Wed 8 May 2024 | Matamata | Industry |
| Wed 5 Jun 2024 | Matamata | Industry |
Featured meeting
J Swap Contractors Matamata Breeders’ Stakes Day – February
The club’s flagship event is the J Swap Contractors Matamata Breeders’ Stakes, a $110,000 race for two-year-old fillies. With a Group 2 prestige rating, the event is the richest 2-year-old fillies race in NZ. The Champagne Lawn is a popular location on this raceday, however seating is limited and early bookings are essential as the function sells out quickly. The day features Fashion in the Field and Boot Party promotions.
Admission is free, which includes access to the Ascot (Members’) Stand. Children are catered for with free entertainment, a feature at both of the club’s Saturday racemeetings.
December - Matamata Christmas at the Races
Matamata Racing Club is galloping into the festive season. Enjoy a grand end-of-year celebration with work colleagues, friends and family at our iconic twilight meeting. Land yourself an easy trifecta by booking a hospitality package – you’ll be treated to festive food, refreshments, and thoroughbred action second to none.
Course
Arawa Park
Arawa Park, located in the heart of Rotorua City, is the home venue for Racing Rotorua, Rotorua & BOP Hunt Club. The course boasts an excellent level of lounges, bar and betting facilities, with all patrons having free access to the main grandstand area.
| Distance | Time | Horse | Date |
|---|
Contact details
Open/close
Fenton Street
RotoruaT: 07 348 2024
F: 07 348 0350
E: [email protected]
W: www.arawapark.co.nz
Course Info
Open/close
Hospitality/Functions: Lounges are available for private corporate hosting at all racemeetings. The excellent facilities available, including thermally heated lounges, are serviced by a resident caterer, The Catering Company, which ensures that the complex is in high demand for functions, conferences, rallies and displays.
Children: There's free entertainment at all Saturday or Holiday meetings.
| ROTORUA TRACK RECORDS | ||||
| DIST. | TIME | HORSE | WGH | YEAR |
| TWO YEAR OLDS | ||||
| 990m | 57.2 | SNAP | 54 | 1993 |
| 1000m | 59.68 | POWER CHIEF | 55.5 | 1987 |
| 1100m | 01:05.4 | HEXAGONAL | 53 | 1984 |
| 1150m | 01:07.7 | DISCO LIGHT | 56.5 | 1990 |
| FLYING START | ||||
| 1100m | 01:02.5 | SO BAY | 54 | 1985 |
| FLAT RACES | ||||
| 1100m | 01:04.6 | ENHANCER | 55 | 1991 |
| 1200m | 01:09.7 | SILVER NYMPH | 54.5 | 1980 |
| 1400m | 01:21.5 | ENSIGN EWART | 51 | 1993 |
| 1550m | 01:32.7 | ICED GEM | 55 | 1994 |
| 1900m | 01:53.7 | SHUGAR | 56 | 1990 |
| 2200m | 02:12.8 | ROYAL GRIT | 54.5 | 1987 |
| 2300m | 02:26.0 | CONVINCING | 53 | 2005 |
| 2700m | 02:49.3 | ZIC ZAC BLITZ | 61 | 1991 |
| STEEPLECHASES | ||||
| 4000m | 04:42.1 | DONEGAL | 62.25 | 1993 |
| 4200m | 04:57.2 | KANAMINT | 58 | 1983 |
| HURDLES | ||||
| 2800m | 3;04.00 | JO AR | 57 | 1977 |
| 2900m | 03:13.1 | HARDING | 63 | 1998 |
| SINCE TRACK RECONSTRUCTION IN 2008 | ||||
| 1200m | 01:10.3 | ONESWANSTONSTREET | 54.5 | 2009 |
| 1400m | 01:22.3 | HEREDITY | 58 | 2010 |
| 1560m | 01:31.7 | HEREDITY | 56 | 2009 |
| 1950m | 01:57.0 | TOUCH OF SPARK | 55.5 | 2009 |
| 2200m | 02:13.8 | PACIFIC ROSE | 55.5 | 2009 |
| 3000m | 3.26.57 | SPEEDUP | 64.5 | 2010 |
| HURDLES | ||||
| 2800m | 3.18.27 | SAHARA SUNSET | 63 | 2010 |
| 3500M | 4.11.37 | VIVALDI’S GONE | 61.5 | 2010 |
All meetings
Open/close| Date | Club | Meeting Name/Type |
|---|---|---|
| Sat 11 May 2024 | Racing Rotorua | Feature |
| Wed 3 Jul 2024 | Racing Rotorua | Industry |
| Sat 20 Jul 2024 | Racing Rotorua | Feature |
Featured meeting
Rotorua Cup
Campbell Infrastructure Rotorua Cup Day is held in early May.
Plate Day - October
Featuring the Staphanos Classic and the G3 Sweynesse Stakes Race.