FAQs
Our race meetings are scheduled between 12 noon and 5pm with 30-40 minute gaps between races, but will vary by the number of races and the time of the year.
Each race meeting’s race times are available in our race meeting event section on this website, on our Facebook page, on www.loveracing.nz and www.tab.co.nz.
The gates will be open from 11am with bars and food outlets beginning to open at least 30 minutes prior to race 1. Always check for times as there can be quite a variance in times from meeting to meeting.
Only persons 18 and over may be asked to pay an entry fee. An entry fee is only charged on the better class of race meetings or when additional activities such as kids’ amusements are provided. The entry fee will be notified on the race meeting event details on this website.
There will be pre-booked functions at different prices and that will include entry. These functions will be listed individually for each race meeting on the events list.
You need to make your own arrangements for travelling to the course unless you live in Whangarei and then the Club arranged “Race Bus” may be an option. A schedule of pick up points, times and cost is placed on the race meeting event details for this website and on this website two days before the meeting and on our Facebook page.
By car the course is about 90 minutes north of Auckland’s North Shore and 25 minutes south of Whangarei.
The local taxi service is David Corkill from Marsden Point Taxi - 021 032 7660
There is no public transport direct to the venue.
Children up to the age of 18 have free entry to the racecourse and parents are asked to monitor their activities, particularly not to let them climb on or over fencing or railing near the horse areas.
Two close accommodation options are:
One Tree Point Motel: p:09 432 8116 e:enquiries@otpmotel.co.nz
Ruakaka Beach Front Motel p: 09 432 7166 e: enquiries@breambaymotel.co.nz
Regional information can be found at:
If you are 18 or over then you can bet on the races with the TAB at the course during a race meeting. If you are not at the races then you can bet on the Ruakaka races at one of the TAB stores or on their website through an account.
No. Only the registered and approved persons can enter the saddling areas on raceday. There is a fenced parade arena that saddled horses enter about ten minutes before each race starts and are walked before the rider mounts. You can also witness the horses return after the race to the same area and be unsaddled.
To comply with Liquor Licensing Authority requirements the Club cannot permit patrons bringing alcohol to the venue.
Bags will be checked on entry by security staff.
A number of bars will be open so look for the Public Bar signs. The Club has a responsible host policy.
The Bayview Cafe offers a range of food options.
Yes but you cannot take the food inside to the rooms. Our Catering Team is a very experienced with a cost effective range of food.
Smart casual, subject to the weather, is the key theme. The main thing is to make sure you're comfortable as you do tend to spend a lot of time on your feet and it is an outdoor event, sometimes in cold wintry conditions.
Ruakaka racecourse has ample under cover areas or function rooms and they are only a short walk from the car parks but with undercover open grandstand seating that is exposed to the west you do require appropriate layers of clothing for those westerly winds.