A punter has narrowly escaped serious injury after he foolishly stood in the middle of a track during a horse race in New Zealand.
Racegoers who packed into Trentham Racecourse for the Wellington Cup on Saturday afternoon were in disbelief as the man entered the course just moments before the field of horses charged towards the winning post.
The jockeys miraculously managed to dodge the man, who was dressed in a white button up and black pants.
Moments after walking away unscathed, the man raised his arms into the air, in an apparent attempt to celebrate his survival.
The track invader (circled above in red) left many punters speechless after his antics on Saturday
Report from RNZ
Police have arrested and charged a man with criminal nuisance, after a spectator ran onto the race track during Wellington Cup Day yesterday.
Video on social media shows a man jumping the fence at the Trentham Racecourse, and standing in the middle of the track as jockeys had to steer their horses around him.
There were no injuries, but racing broadcaster Aidan Rodley called the spectator an idiot who is lucky to be alive.
Police say a 24-year-old man was arrested, and has been charged with criminal nuisance for doing an act endangering public safety.
He has been released on bail and is due to appear in the Hutt Valley District Court on Thursday.
Police have arrested and charged a man with criminal nuisance, after a spectator ran onto the race track during Wellington Cup Day yesterday.
Video on social media shows a man jumping the fence at Upper Hutt s Trentham Racecourse, and standing still in the middle of the track as jockeys had to steer their horses around him.
There were no injuries, but racing broadcaster Aidan Rodley called the spectator an idiot, who is lucky to be alive.
Police said a 24-year-old man was arrested, and has been charged with criminal nuisance for doing an act endangering public safety.
A horse also died at the racecourse during the event s feature race, and an animal welfare group said it was disturbing to see the horse s death go underreported, while the racecourse invasion garnered wider attention.
Racing: Waipukurau couple back in the winning groove
7 Jan, 2021 08:33 PM
9 minutes to read
Hastings-trained Pablo Esk completed a winning double on his home track when beating the grey Motivation in the main race at the Hawke s Bay New Year s Day meeting.
Hawkes Bay Today
By: John Jenkins
It has been a long time between celebratory drinks for Waipukurau thoroughbred owner-breeders Peter and Ann Evans but they were back in the winners circle at Hastings on New Year s Day.
The couple bred and share in the ownership of Bold Iris, who capped off two good minor placings with a deserved maiden success in a 3-year-old maiden race over 1200m.