I admit it, I love a horse race. Yes, I agree that there are significant issues with the treatment of horses and I certainly get upset when I learn of horses dying or being mortally injured. There needs to be far more policing of racing, that much is certain.
But still, seeing a horse race just brings tears to my eyes. (I cry about horses a lot. Don’t ask me why.). And New Zealand is horse crazy, at least where we live. There are horses everywhere. I have to believe that they care for them.
So when I randomly saw an advert for the New Zealand Oaks, I said, why not? The information said that proper horse racing day dress was required. So we went all in. A nice dress and jewelry for me. (No hat for me as the British ladies wear at Ascot. Not that I am against them. I love hats. I just don’t have any here.) Matt wore his white three piece suit with his straw hat. Matching blue shirt, tie and cuff links and of course his cane to make it all dapper.
As we were trying to figure out where our seats were a woman came running up to Matt and asked him if he wanted to be in the best dressed contest. His response? I have been waiting for this all of my life. She rushed him to a waiting area as other contestants gathered. Then they were marched onto the lawn for the judges consideration. Incredibly, Matt lost to an older gentleman in an ill fitting suit and a bow tie. Look at this:
Well, Matt thinks the bow tie clinched it for the guy. All I can figure is that this gentleman had an in with the judges. For the rest of the day people were coming up to Matt telling him he was robbed and he was their pick as best dressed. So at least he won the people’s choice..
As for the races, I picked two winners, one won by a nose and went to photo review. I actually went home with money in my pocket. It was a beautiful day and we enjoyed it thoroughly.
A Yank Among the Kiwis 