The Power of Racing Blogger – social media star to be headline act at New Zealand Cup week

Social media sensation Stephen Power, the Racing Blogger who has taken Victoria’s spring carnival by storm, will cross the Tasman to attend New Zealand Cup week in Christchurch.

Wagering giant Entain pulled off the coup by convincing Power to extend his southern hemisphere trip by experiencing the New Zealand Trotting Cup at Addington and two days of thoroughbred racing at Riccarton once his commitments at Flemington are complete.

Power and his partner Vanessa Hatton Riveiro will fly to New Zealand’s South Island next Monday, two days after Champions Day at Flemington, with the backing of Entain, which operates TAB New Zealand. 

Such has been Power’s reach and appeal on social media during his stint in Victoria, it’s understood that NSW officials made tentative approaches to the Racing Blogger about attending Saturday’s Golden Eagle meeting at Randwick instead of Flemington.

Hall of Fame trainer Gai Waterhouse has also embraced Power, inviting the London-based Irishman to Magic Millions yearling inspections at Three Bridges Thoroughbreds, while Chris Waller and James McDonald have provided the Racing Blogger with  one-on-one interviews. 

Entain Australia and New Zealand’s Adam Hamilton confirmed that Power would be a high-profile attendee at Addington and Riccarton in a proposition first raised between the bookmaker and the influencer at Moonee Valley after the Cox Plate.

“He’s just been a revelation during the Melbourne spring carnival and it would have been crazy if we didn’t at least explore whether he would extend his trip to New Zealand,” Hamilton told The Straight. 

“We think it provides a real point of difference from the experience that he’s having over here, being that it’ll be thoroughbred and harness racing that he’ll be involved in over there.

“Australians and New Zealanders know how good (cup week is in Christchurch), but this is a chance to showcase an incredible week of racing to a much bigger audience and it also really fits well because in harness, the World Drivers’ Championships is on right now at the same time.

“So, he’ll have a lot of fun with drivers from all around the world.” 

Initially brought out by Racing Victoria, Power has been front and centre at Moonee Valley for the Cox Plate and Derby Day on Saturday while he was also on course for the Bendigo Cup last Wednesday.

He also attended trackwork at Flemington, Moonee Valley and Werribee, where the international horses are being prepared, while Greyhound Racing Victoria jumped on the bandwagon by inviting him to the Sandown meeting last Thursday evening.

It is believed Inglis, which sponsors a race on Oaks day as well as the Banner for two-year-olds on Champions Day, will also partner with the Racing Blogger at Flemington this week.

“The way he’s been embraced by the racing fans, punters, administrators and participants, and participants from the top level down to the hobbyists, the guy’s really galvanised the industry, hasn’t he?” Hamilton said.

“It’s really blown me away. I can’t thank him and Vanessa and Simon (Morrish, former Victorian trainer who has been the Racing Blogger’s tour guide) enough for working with us and changing their plans to come over and do it.

“We’re looking forward to showing them another different, amazing racing experience.”