Intense atmosphere at local trotts | Taranaki Sport | Surfing, Rugby, Soccer, Football, Cricket in Taranaki

It was a day of fun and sun for all age groups at the Stratford Trotting Club's Annual Race Day held at Te Kapua Park on Sunday.

Spectators filled the stands to watch horses pound the course and children were entertained in the 'Kids Go Racing' caravan where they had the chance to ride a virtual racehorse.

At 3pm, the crowd geared up for the feature race of the day, the Hewes Scrap Metal Stratford Cup, which carried a purse of $10,000.

People lined the rail to get close to the action and the atmosphere was intense as they rounded the final corner.

In the end, Hawera-owned horse and favourite, Miss Abigail, with rider David Butcher, took away first place and the big prize.

Miss Abigail was two lengths clear of her closest competition, Daibin and adds the Stratford Cup to an impressive trophy cabinet which already contains another local top trophy, the Taranaki Cup, which she won in 2005.