+61 430 347 910
monique@australianracingtours.com.au
CLOSING SOON – LAST TWO ROOMS!
After another fantastic tour in 2020 that occurred just before lockdown, we are looking forward to heading back across the Tasman in 2023 for another six-day trip to the beautiful North Island of New Zealand. We have put together the perfect tour for the best in horse studs, scenery, wineries and a race meeting you won’t forget at Auckland for their Derby meeting. Next years Derby will be held at Te Rapa Racecourse due to renovations at Ellerslie so we’ve flipped the tour to start in Auckland and finish in Hamilton.
The countryside is breathtaking and the Waikato area opens up to some of the finest horse studs in the world. Kiwi bred horses have won 43 of the Melbourne Cups run and through the Waikato area, we’ll visit the iconic farms of Cambridge, Windsor Park, Waikato Stud and Te Akau Racing Stables. World-class thoroughbred nurseries that have produced some of the world’s best gallopers and stallions. We’ll also enjoy some amazing New Zealand wines and produce along the way, you won’t go hungry or thirsty!
PAYMENT – $500pp deposit due on booking, balance due 60 days before the tour begins.
Upon arrival in Auckland, make your way to our centrally located four-star hotel. Once checked in and refreshed we’ll meet for some welcome drinks and then head out to a nice local restaurant for dinner to talk about the week ahead and get to know everyone.
Today we’re off to Waiheke Island by ferry where we’ll visit an award-winning olive oil mill, followed by two vineyards, each offering a range of gourmet tastes to accompany their wines. Treats may include oysters straight from Te Matuku Bay, wild honey, the famous local green herb spread, and artisan cheeses. Afterward, enjoy a platter lunch at one of our top vineyard restaurants.
After such a feast we have the night off to relax or head out and explore the Auckland nightlife.
After a busy few days today is a free day to explore more of Auckland and do your form for Saturday. We will meet in the hotel Gin bar for a few evening cocktails to soak up the beautiful views.
After check out we will be transferred by coach through some of New Zealand’s richest and most fertile rolling hills and valleys to our hotel in Hamilton. On the way, we’ll stop for lunch at a nice winery to soak in the beautiful and try some wine.
If time permits we’ll stop in at a stud on the way to the hotel before you get to relax in Hamilton and explore the city.
This morning we’re off to enjoy the heart of New Zeland racing in Waikato. The Waikato region is home to a host of New Zealand’s premier stud farms, but first we visit Te Akau Racing to see their training facilities. One of the leading racing stables in New Zealand, home of current stars Te Akau Shark, Melody Belle and Probabeel and former champions Princess Coup and Gingernuts.
We’ll then head out to visit the two best Studs in New Zealand, Waikato and Cambridge. Waikato Stud produces an average of 12 Stakes winners per season and is the current Australasian Group One breeder of the decade, having bred 42 individual Group One winners. We’ll see Cox Plate winning superstar sire Savabeel, as well as champions Ocean Park, Tivaci and Ardrossan.
We’ll find a nice winery for lunch and enjoy some wines before the evening is yours to do the form for the races tomorrow.
After a relaxing morning, we’re off to the newly renovated Te Rapa racecourse for the NZ Derby. It’s your chance to witness some of NZ’s best horses & jockeys vie for sporting glory in the $1m Vodafone New Zealand Derby and, with a host of black-type races (plus more!) run in support, the opening day of New Zealand’s richest racing carnival is one you’ll not want to miss.
We’ll enjoy premium beverages and a gourmet buffet lunch designed by their award-winning chefs incorporating the best New Zealand ingredients and featuring a carvery, seafood, hot dishes, salads and finished with dessert, tea, coffee, and a cheeseboard.
Our visit to New Zealand finishes today as we make our back to Auckland Airport or city, hopefully with lots of great memories and some winnings in our pockets.
