Te Rapa Races 2026: November 7 Start Time and Full Schedule

HAMILTON, New Zealand, November 6, 2026 — Te Rapa Races 2026 returns on Saturday, November 7, with eight thoroughbred races scheduled at Te Rapa Racecourse in Hamilton. The opening race starts at 12:53pm NZDT, while the $100,000 Legacy Lodge Sprint headlines the afternoon at 3:42pm.

Organised by Waikato Thoroughbred Racing, the meeting runs from noon until 5pm, with free general admission. Racegoers can expect a full afternoon of racing, featuring events over distances from 1,100 to 2,200 metres, alongside hospitality and family-friendly activities.

The feature Legacy Lodge Sprint, contested over 1,200 metres, has attracted runners including Master Fay, Reward Smile, Tardelli and King’s English. Here is the full Te Rapa race schedule for November 7, including starting times, fields, prize money and visitor information.

Te Rapa Races 2026: Date, Start Time and Venue

The Te Rapa meeting is part of New Zealand’s spring racing calendar, with Saturday’s programme taking place during a busy weekend of thoroughbred racing across the country.

Te Rapa Races November 7: Full Schedule and Race Times

Saturday’s eight-race programme begins with a two-year-old event and builds towards the Listed Legacy Lodge Sprint in Race 6. The final race is scheduled for 4:58pm.

All start times are in New Zealand Daylight Time and remain subject to official changes. The complete programme, fields and form guides are available through Racing and Sports.

For racing fans in Australia, the first race begins at 10:53am AEDT in Sydney and Melbourne, while the Legacy Lodge Sprint starts at 1:42pm AEDT. Brisbane viewers can follow the feature race at 12:42pm AEST.

Legacy Lodge Sprint 2026: Race 6 Start Time and Runners

The Legacy Lodge Sprint is the feature race of Saturday’s Te Rapa programme, carrying NZ$100,000 in total prize money. The Listed Open Handicap will be contested over 1,200 metres on turf, with the winner receiving $57,500.

Master Fay is among the experienced runners in the field. Trained by Chad Ormsby, the nine-year-old gelding has recorded five victories from 17 career starts, including four wins over 1,200 metres. He is listed to carry 59kg and has drawn barrier 17.

Reward Smile, also allocated 59kg, brings recent racing experience into the contest after consecutive runner-up finishes. Tardelli, carrying 58kg, is another notable entrant, while King’s English is among the younger contenders in the published field.

Other runners include Twain, Ima Brazen One, Archaic Smile, Ardalio, Hinekaha, Chatelle Rose, I’m All In, Rareza, Jethro Tull and Lucullan.

Final runners, scratchings, barriers and rider changes should be checked using the official New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing race information.

The sprint is expected to be one of the day’s main attractions, with established performers facing younger horses seeking a Listed-race victory.

Legacy Lodge Sprint prize money: The winner receives NZ$57,500, second place $18,500, third $9,000, fourth $5,000 and fifth $2,500. Smaller payments are allocated to the remaining eligible finishers under the published race conditions.

Saturday’s contest comes during a busy week for racing followers across Australasia, following the Melbourne Cup 2026 results and the Oaks Day 2026 racing programme at Flemington.

Te Rapa Track Conditions and Weather

The published Te Rapa race programme lists the running rail four metres out, with the track shown as Good 4 in the available pre-race form guide.

Track ratings can change depending on weather and ground conditions before racing begins. Jockeys, trainers and racegoers can consult the official racing updates for the final track assessment and any changes to the declared fields.

Te Rapa is a left-handed turf racecourse with a 420-metre home straight. Its layout means positioning and race tempo can be important, particularly in sprint contests such as the Legacy Lodge Sprint.

Te Rapa Races 2026 Tickets, Entry and Hospitality

Waikato Thoroughbred Racing has confirmed free general admission for Legacy Lodge Sprint Day on November 7.

The organiser is promoting the meeting as a family-friendly racing occasion, with an early festive atmosphere and hospitality options for groups planning Christmas celebrations.

The Lodge Lounge hospitality package is advertised at NZ$185 per person. Other on-course facilities include the Flemington Lounge, available to trainers, owners and the public, and the members-only Kentucky Lounge.

The raceday takes place at Te Rapa Racecourse, Ken Browne Drive, Hamilton, from noon until 5pm. Visitors can check hospitality options, entry information and reservations through the official Waikato Thoroughbred Racing event page.

The racecourse is one of Waikato’s main thoroughbred racing venues and regularly hosts major meetings throughout New Zealand’s racing calendar.

Beyond Saturday’s meeting, Te Rapa is also scheduled to host Waikato Cup Day on December 12 and a Christmas raceday on December 19, giving local racing fans further opportunities to return before the end of 2026.

Saturday’s key race to watch is Race 6 at 3:42pm NZDT. The Legacy Lodge Sprint will determine the latest winner of the Listed 1,200-metre contest, with the meeting concluding shortly before 5pm.