In response to an invitation to all interested in forming a Jockey Club at Collingwood, around 30 residents met at the Rockville Hall in December 1906 to discuss the matter.
It was resolved that it was desirable to form a club and that it would be called the ‘Collingwood Jockey Club’.
Mr G. James offered, free of cost, land of 10 or more acres for the racecourse near the Devil’s Dining Table, about two miles from the township for a period of up to 20 years on the condition that he could use it for grazing.
Following several more meetings throughout Collingwood and Bainham to gain the opinions of residents, a final meeting took place at Rockville on the 11th of January 1907 to formally establish the club. G. H. Allan was appointed President, along with 15 other men who made up the committee. Also elected were Handicappers and Starters.
The first race meeting was to be held on Easter Monday but later postponed due to the lateness of the season and the unpreparedness of the course.
A new date of the 17th of March 1908, St Patricks Day was set, and a full day of activities were planned, although the race meeting was an unregistered event. Admission prices were set at £1 for adults, 6d for children and 6d for horses.
The completed course was ¾ of a mile long with a straight a chain wide. The straight was fenced off and enclosures developed for a saddling paddock, a horse paddock and other conveniences. By the day of the first meeting seating for visitors and a framework for an awning had been built.
Race day began with ideal weather conditions and was well attended by locals and visitors alike. The SS Wairoa ran a special trip from Nelson to Waitapu for the occasion.
The two bookmakers were very pleased with the volume of betting that came their way. Before the first race, which started at 11.30am, the president formally opened the racecourse recalling the hard work that had been undertaken in establishing the Club and in building the course.
The day was enjoyed by all those attending and was pronounced an unqualified success. Every race on the programme was well contested and created much excitement. The Cup race was won by ‘Lord Brassy’, owned by A Berry and the jockey, W Scott was presented with a riding whip. Other results - the double trotting events won by Matheson’s Squire’s Dandy, Maiden Race won by Hitchcock’s Edna, Farmers Plate won by Harvey’s Taitapu, Consolation race won by Hitchcock’s Off Chance and the high jump was won equally by McGowan’s Texas, Walker’s Black Bess and Hitchcock’s Dick.
In the evening at Rockville the race ball and supper provided a perfect end to the day. Tickets for the evening cost £4 for a double ticket, £3 for a single and £1 for an extra lady. Music was supplied by Messrs Keoghan, McNeil and Isaac.
