In 1868, a few men residing in Waimea South proposed organising a steeplechase meeting at Lower Wakefield, but the consensus was against it. The pessimists looked at the obstacles such as how to get people to and fro and were there any horses that were of a quality that could be entered for a steeplechase.
The optimists carried on with planning the meeting for 20 February, to start at 12 o’ clock.
Four great races were planned - The Waimea South Steeplechase over three miles, the Wakefield Free Handicap over 2.5 miles, the Scurry Stakes over 1.75 miles and the trotting match over two miles.
The course was laid out through the paddocks on either side of the road between Maddocks Bush and Wakefield Church. Starting about half a mile below Wakefield Arms on the Wai-iti side of the road, it ran up the valley as far as Hoopers Store.
It then crossed the road and, making a sweeping turn, returned down the valley under the hills till it came abreast of the Wakefield Arms when by a short turn a run in was obtained directly facing the said inn. There were 24 fences in all, including three water jumps, the widest of which was around 9 feet and one gorse hedge. The remainder of the jumps were post and rail jumps.
Visitors’ fees were one shilling for each horse or vehicle entering the race ground, and 10 shillings for each tent erected for refreshments.
The day arrived and the first steeplechase on the Waimea Plains was ready to go, attracting a large number of spectators, not only from the immediate neighbourhood but also from Nelson, Motueka and Riwaka.
Newton’s four-horse coach conveyed passengers from the Hardy St stables, leaving at 9am to Wakefield, returning at 6.30pm for a fare of 10 shillings. Every farm and cottage in the district appeared to have contributed to the numbers who assembled in the paddocks.
The morning started with occasional showers but, for the main part, the afternoon was better. The first event – the Waimea South Handicap Steeplechase was won by Mr Gabb’s ‘Rustic’. Other entries were ‘Gamester, Sprightly, Mazzappa, Moro and Cloe’.
Rustic fell at the third jump, throwing his rider who still managed to get back on the horse and catch the field, retaking the lead until the last water jump when he was overtaken by ‘Gamester’. With a huge effort ‘Rustic’ and his rider won the event. ‘Moro’s rider took four or five falls and ‘Sprightly’, who fell at the third fence, bolted across the country and was out of the running.
Three hack races, for which the prize for each was a new saddle and bridle took place with the winners being ‘Snooks’ from the Hednesford stables, Mr Blundell’s ‘Chance’ and Mr Walters ‘Ramrod’.
The Wakefield Free Handicap was won by Mr Holder’s Sprightly and the trotting match won by Mr Baigent’s mare, ‘Maggie’. The Scurry Sweepstakes was cancelled with a lack of entries.
The first race meeting was an unequivocal success, with the only complaint being the lack of a grandstand. With such a good result the meeting became an annual event.
