The annual Ontrack New Zealand Horse and Wine Tour ended this week and, as usual, it was a fantastic trip.

The 21 participants were treated to spectacular weather, scenery, food and wine and got the opportunity to explore some of the leading stud properties in Australasia.

"The New Zealand tour was our 11th visit over the Tasman and it fails to deliver," said Ontrack Managing Director Grant Morgan.
 
"Opening with a day on the magnificent Waiheke Island always sets the scene and this year provided a perfect day to enjoy all the island offers.

"After a days' racing at Pukekohe we headed south to enjoy the best studs New Zealand offers.
"Being able to catch up with Sir Patrick Hogan a couple of days before he announced he had sold the property was also pretty special," said Grant Morgan.

"Ontrack would like to thank Cambridge, The Oaks, Windsor Park, Waikato, Rich Will, Trelawney and Westbury Stud for their time and hospitality in hosting our group and making the tour a special memory for everyone."
​
The 2017 tour season rolls on next week when the Hong Kong International Racing Tour jets off on Tuesday for a spectacular week of fine dining, sightseeing and sensational racing.

Hong Kong’s annual Longines International Racing is over for another year and the event continues to set new benchmarks.

Ontrack Racing Tours had a party of 31 for the annual International Racing Carnival and all those on the trip came away full of praise for the Hong Kong Jockey Club’s flagship events.

The jewel in the crown for the Jockey Club is the Longines International Day at Sha Tin and the Sunday event attracted an attendance of 94,560 and the day’s turnover came in 5.4% higher than last year at HK$1.6 billion, a new record for the meeting.

Hong Kong Jockey Club CEO Mr Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges was pleased with the big turn-out and the day’s results.

“It was the second-highest attendance – only a little down on last year – and that really produced a great atmosphere. We also had record turnover – HK$82 million more than last year. That’s an extremely satisfactory result,” the CEO said.

For the Ontrack Tour guests, the Sha Tin feature race day provided a magnificent spectacle and one of the tour members passed on their comments on returning to Australia.

“Just wanted to thank you for an excellent trip we had to Hong Kong with you.

It was an amazing experience and you all were amazing hosts and looked after our every need.

The whole trip was faultless, and everything went so smoothly and our many thanks to the three of you. It was lovely to meet you three and you work so well as a team together.

The group we were with were all so much fun and hope we can keep in touch with some of them. The race days were amazing, and we have definitely ticked off some of our bucket list.
So, thanks once again for your great hospitality.”

Ontrack Racing Tours will be back in Hong Kong in December 2018 for the Longines International Races and will also run its Hunter Valley and New Zealand Horse and Wine Tours in 2018 with the next Royal Ascot Tour to be held in 2019.