Local MP loving his time at Waterlea Racecourse

Jamie Arbuckle is a Marlborough District Councillor with over 13 years’ experience in local government. He has worked across all facets of Council, is an RMA Hearings Commissioner, and Chair of the Economic, Finance & Community Committee.

Arbuckle is well known in the Marlborough district for his time at local markets and for his family’s long involvement in farming and fruit growing in the region.

Probably less well known is the fact that Arbuckle is a die-hard harness racing fan and participant. He formerly spent time working in the harness racing stable of Anne-Marie Best, and retains an interest in the sport as an owner, and through his role on the committee of the Marlborough Racing Club.

Arbuckle had just taken off his apron having cooked the Saturday morning BBQ on course for those in attendance at the two day meeting, and took some time out of his busy schedule to chat about the success of Day One and what to look forward to for the second day of the meeting this afternoon.

“Its a great time of year with the Coast circuit obviously coming through to Nelson last week and now following on to Marlborough,” said Arbuckle.

“We cranked the barbecue up on Friday and again this morning (Saturday) and will do it all again on Sunday as well. But the trainers, drivers and associated people who help us always appreciate that. It’s always great to see a few familiar faces and get a few tips for the next day,” he laughed.

“First to get a good day was a great start. The sun shone on us on Friday and we had just been awarded the sunniest place in New Zealand so that also worked out well for us.

“Twilight harness racing on the grass is something you just cant beat either. A lot of people came out and supported us and the club has been pretty proactive with free entry and the $10 punters club proved very popular and was well received.

It’s been a big last four of five weeks at the markets for my family selling cherries and raspberries, and then you pop over to the racecourse and it’s no different. It’s not all about the punting, it’s about that social opportunity and meeting up with friends and family and thats what really makes racing so special, the grass racing tracks in particular. People out and about and enjoying the holiday festival season. We have had plenty of conversations, most of them pretty positive. I’m always getting told a few things we should be doing better, but that’s part of the parcel,” he laughed.

Arbuckle mentioned six months ago when first speaking with Harnesslink he is a keen student of the game and regularly watches trackside and Friday Night Light’s as a means of enjoyment, despite his hectic work schedule as an MP. And it appears to be paying off in more ways than one!

“I really enjoyed the first race when Manakau Blaze pulled out by sixteen lengths, Kaikoura trained obviously so we had some money on that. I had also been following John Dunn on Regal Sierra so I can say the wallet was looking pretty healthy by the end of the day, so all good on the punting side of it,” he laughed.

Arbuckle has been in Parliament for a little over 12 months now and has enjoyed getting to sink his teeth into the many projects available to him at a Government level, where his passion for harness racing continues to be a boon for the sport.

“It’s a real learning experience, obviously a first time MP coming from 15 years of local government experience, it’s a different playing field being over in Wellington. Getting to sink your teeth into things your passionate about is incredible and obviously harness racing is something I am really passionate about as well.

“So having those conversations with the right ministers has been something I have tried to do often, and being in the New Zealand First party, we all know where we sit when it comes to the racing industry and we are very much pro racing and really appreciate the people involved. It obviously employs tens of thousands of people, but it’s also really important to consider the thousands more who turn up and enjoy the various meetings.

“It’s actually had a great feel the last 12 months from a racing point of view, there has been a lot of optimism with stakes going up, people on course are coming back, and talking to some of the trainers and drivers here, they are looking forward to the coming weeks and months which I really positive,” he said.

Looking ahead to day two, Arbuckle was coy abut sharing any punting advice and instead preferred to pay homage to those involved in making the two day meeting at Blenheim another rousing success.

“I need to put a big thank you to the trainers, drivers and owners who have supported the club and all the volunteers who make the day possible and the people on course who make the atmosphere what it is. Hopefully they have enjoyed coming to Marlborough as much as the racing, I know a few of them are out fishing today and visiting the wineries, which is just another great thing about a meeting like ours that stakeholders can do some other great activities in between race days,” he said.

Day two of the meeting kicks off at the earlier start time of 11:50am and is highlighted by the $20,000 Seddon Shields Marlborough Trotters Cup and the $25,000 Donegal House Marlborough Pacers Cup.

For the complete Blenheim fields, click here.

by Brad Reid, for Harnesslink