A spectacular race | Taranaki Sport | Surfing, Rugby, Soccer, Football, Cricket in Taranaki

BEAUTIFUL sunshine, good company and perfect racing conditions made for a fantastic day of racing at Stratford's Te Kupua Park on New Year's Eve.

With a full race programme thousands of locals enjoyed the annual race day, with many punters making reasonable winnings.

Spectacular Icon won the feature race - the $30,000 TTCF/ Cambridge Thoroughbred Sales Stratford Cup (2000m).

Ridden by Mark Hills the duo had a comfortable lead, with the favourite Halls ridden by Michael Walker closing in.

Halls provided an early challenge in the home straight, but Spectacular Icon kicked hard when asked for his best, and proved too tough when drawing clear in the final analysis.

Halls remained one length in arrears at the line, with Four Good Reasons two and a quarter lengths adrift in third place after experiencing a good trip, and a half-length to fourth placed Balmuse.

Spectacular Icon is trained by Chris Wood at Cambridge for a large group of owners; B F Avery, C E Demanser, J W Fitzsimons, A Harris, M D Kean, S P Kneebone, G H Mander, R P Rosenberg & Miss J Wah.

As well as plenty of fast-paced action on the track the race day also provided an entertainment extravaganza for families and friends.

A craft market, fire engine rides, bouncy castle and ferris wheel for the kids, face painting, total vision goggles and simulator, plus music from the Stratford & District Pipe Band.