Riccarton Races abandoned over track condition
The New Zealand Cup and 1000 Guineas thoroughbred race meeting was supposed to be the climax of Cup week in Christchurch. It attracted a sold-out crowd of 15,000 people. Harmonious, ridden by apprentice Lily Sutherland, slipped after losing its footing at the top of the straight in the third race. The incident raised concerns about the condition of Riccarton's track. After three separate inspections and two unsuccessful attempts at remedial work, the meeting has been abandoned.
