Racing Tauranga is set to host the first race meeting in the country for the new season today.

Coinciding with the first race of the season, will be a new era for Racing Tauranga.

Racing Tauranga will host the first race for the season today.

After more than a decade with the Trac Group, Racing Tauranga has decided to go it alone.

Racing Tauranga club president Rob Weatherly says it's an exciting time for the club.

'The time is right for us to be a stand-alone operation again, and whilst the time with the Trac consortium has been successful, all staff and committee are looking forward to a new era.”

The Trac Group of Rotorua, Te Aroha, Taupo and Thames will continue, but without Tauranga. Matamata left the group three years ago.

Racing Tauranga will revert back to the traditional Bay of Plenty colours of blue and gold, says Rob.

This season Tauranga will host 12 race meetings, including three popular 'Christmas at the Races” events in November and December.

The biggest day of the year is traditionally January 2, when holiday makers flock to the Inter Island Summer Festival Race Day, while the most prestigious day is The Japan NZ International Trophy Day in late March.

The new season gets underway today, with the Jeremy Pryor Bayleys race day. Seven races are programmed with the first race timed to go at 12.40pm.

Did you know, that August 1 was officially ‘horses birthday'. In racing circles, this can mean a lot as horses move into different categories and classes.