Addington Raceway & Events Centre — Attraction in Christchurch

Show Day 2023

No signage at all. Spent 40 minutes trying to find a racebook for purchase (asked five or so staff without result) and went to multiple places to ask. Kept accidentally walking in to (unsigned) areas that were apparently "special", and was treated with absolute disdain for not having appropriate tickets (if there's no signage, how are you meant to know it's a special area?). The attitude from so many staff was incredibly poor and we were repeatedly made to feel like low-level scum (although I'm sure they still wanted our money).

No band. No lego Imagination station as advertised (at least, again, not signposted). It was meant to be family day but there were zero activities for the kids.

No odds info on the big screens anymore. If you can't find a racebook and can't see the odds, why would you bet on any races? Everything felt too difficult. A friend came with us and it was his first time at the races and we had wanted to show him how fun it could be, but all he asked was whether it was always this hard.

We left early. I have been to Show Day for the last two decades. The way we were treated repeatedly by staff today made us regret showing up, and my family and friends and I will...

Great group event especially for those situations where the group doesn't socialise much eg work teams. People can at least talk about the horses /races and people move around, to place bets or watch the races, so you get to speak/ get to know a range of people. Drinks are reasonably priced for those that drink. The main draw backs are that the food is mediocre being produced on mass for the numbers they cater for. It looks great but generally I find it fairly tasteless. Also because staff/ servers aren't allocated to tables but a particular task (clearing all the side plates even if your table haven't had the starters yet!) it does feel like barracks/ mess hall dining. The staff are usually pleasant but often have limited knowledge other than being told to do a particular task. Resulting in things like side plates being removed when still needed.. It can be a great night out as long as you understand what it is...

I went to a club fundraising event at the events centre to watch the harness races. Great parking, easy to find, well signed for our group. Room was lovely and it the service was quick at the bar and the TAB counter. There was plenty of room to move around and to watch the races out of the window. The staff were kind and helpful and I was very impressed with the food. I enjoyed it all and there was plenty of it. And the desserts were so nice and stayed on the table all night for repeat visits....