Racing Tauranga's premier winter race meeting will be held at Tauranga Racecourse today, with more than $260,000 in prize money up for grabs over the nine races carded – a good incentive to owners, trainers and jockeys.

New Zealand's top winter-staying horses race for glory in the Orora Kiwi Packaging Kiwifruit Cup while the fillies and mares contest the prestigious Seeka Tauranga Classic.

Last year's winner ‘Katie McKeen' is back to defend her Orora Kiwi Packaging Kiwifruit Cup title. The impressive winner twelve months ago will face stiff opposition from this season's New Zealand Cup winner ‘Pump Up the Volume' as well as up and coming stayers in ‘Pacorus' and the locally-owned ‘Bee Tee Junior'. The evergreen ‘John Gray' is a local favourite, with the rising 13-year-old having his 112th race day start on Saturday. He has amassed $324,000 in prize money for his connections.

There will be significant local interest in many of the other races too, with Tauranga-trained horses featuring prominently. Expect to see bold performances by last-start winner ‘Motuman' and the Jim Pender-trained ‘Adriatic Pearl'.

The action isn't just contained to on the track. The popular Punter of the Year Competition is being run again on the day. This is the 24th year Racing Tauranga has run this competition where 70 teams will compete for $5000 worth of prizes, with entrants coming from as far afield as Wellington.

For the smaller punter there is the Second Chance Losing Ticket draw where losing tickets can be filled in and put into a barrel with the chance to win restaurant vouchers.

There is also a mid-winter Christmas function which includes live music and a sumptuous buffet.

The first race on Saturday is timed to run at 11:55am, with the last scheduled for 4:23pm.

Racing Tauranga spokesperson Andrew Lacy urges locals and visitors to come and experience the thrill of thoroughbred racing. 'Gate admission is free and there are plenty of warm lounges with exquisite gourmet delights to keep the whole family happy”.

To see what else is happening in and around Tauranga today, check out SunLive's What's On listings below:

Saturday 24 June

Aglow Central East Conference

July 8 at St Andrew's Church, cnr Macville Rd & Dee St Mt Maunganui 8.30am – 4pm. Worship, fellowship & teaching with DVD by Graham Cooke. Registrations with Anne. Email: class-pieran@hotmail.com

Bay Network Singles Social Club

55+ who wish to make new friends & enjoy club activities, dining, shows, trips, bbq's etc. Mary-Anne 027 207 1690 or 576 9988

Caravan & Motorhome Owners

Interested in joining like minded people & attend weekend rallies? Neal 576 9031

Come Dancing Tonight

Come join us tonight for Sequence & Old time Dancing. Great music, supper. Entry $7.00 All welcome. Run by Tauranga Scottish Society. Greerton Hall 7-30 to 10-30pm Ph Nola 576 5076

Computer Lessons

Learn in your own time, at your own pace. Tauranga Library has a free course online to meet your needs. Visit one of our libraries to register.

Death Café

Coffee, cake & group led conversation on dying, death & living, in a warm friendly space. Grindz Café 1-3pm. Email: taurangadeathcafe@gmail.com or Carole 022 0689 183 www.deathcafe.com

Free Blues Rock Concert

Starring the amazing 'Skeleton Crew” & Maria Fuller. Refreshments provided St James Church, 70 Pooles Rd, Greerton 2pm. Peter 022 323 9102

Friendship Force International

Friendship & Home Hosting exchanges with other clubs worldwide. Barbara 574 5711 or email: regclothier@gmail.com www.thefriendshipforce.org

Guinea Pig Show

Gold coin entry. Register your guinea pig before 1pm for $5 to enter fun classes. Fancy Dress theme is 'Winter” Food/Drink available. Omokoroa Hall rom 10am-3pm taurangacavyclub@gmail.com

Ian's Tai Chi Class

Saturday mornings at QE Park. Cancelled for the month of June.

Indian Community Meeting

With Priyanca Radhakrishnan July 1 at Papamoa Sports Centre, Gordon Spratt Reserve, Parton Rd 6pm. 021 996 373 labour.tauranga@gmail.com

Leisure Marching

Fun, fitness & friendship. Teams made up of adult members practice this non-competitive activity on various days & times throughout the week. Frances 544 1318 or 021 297 3407

LOL Laughter Wellness

Come & laugh away your winter blues. Arataki Community Centre 11-11.45am. Koha. Trish 022 036 6768 email lollaughterwellness@gmail.com

Messianic Meetings

Every Sat at Hillier Centre, 31 Gloucester Rd, Mt Maunganui 10am. Seek to unite together in our walk to put truth into action on a daily basis. 544 7424 or 0210 226 3515

Mid Winter Festival

Whakamarama Hall 3pm. Bring the family. Fun filled afternoon of activities including snowman making & colour competitions, raffles, face painting, sports & game activities. Food & drinks including mulled wine. Eftpos available.

Narcotics Anonymous Open Meetings

Sat 7.30-8.30pm & every Sun 7-8pm, Hanmer Clinic, 1235 Cameron Rd, Greerton. Mon 7-8pm & Fri 7.30-8.30pm, Hillier Centre. 31 Gloucester Rd, Mt Maunganui. Women's Meeting every Tues 10.30-11.30am Downstairs Hall, Salvation Army Recovery Church, 375 Cameron Rd. 0800 NA TODAY

Petanque @ Club Mt Maunganui

Sat 1pm. Equip available, all levels welcome. Arnold 544 5598

Scandinavian & Nordic

Midwinter dinner July 1. Hyggelig shared dinner, candle lights, songs, trivia quiz. Wesley Hall 6-10pm. RSVP Hanne 570 6121

Social Dance

July 29, Greerton Hall, 1247 Cameron Rd 7.30pm. BYO drinks & nibbles. Supreme Dance Centre 544 2337 or 027 322 1786. Just come on the night.

Tauranga Meditation Group

Intro to meditation classes 1st Tues of month 7-8.30pm. General classes every 2nd & 4th Saturdays of the month. $5 koha. Blind Foundation, 160 17th Ave, Tauranga. (Vehicular access opposite Historic Village)

Tauranga Races

Kiwifruit Cup Day at Tauranga Racecourse. A full day of premier racing action, featuring the Tauranga Classic & the 2017 Kiwifruit Cup. General admission: free. Members Day Pass $10.

Tauranga Repertory Theatre

The Pink Hammer On until July 1 at 16th Ave Theatre. Tickets available through iTicket: https://www.iticket.co.nz/events/2017/jun/the-pink-hammer

The Original Greerton Hall Market

8am – 12pm. Crafts, plants, produce, bric-a-brac. Stalls inside/outside. Tea, coffee, snacks available. New stall-holders welcome. To book a site, Tricia/Gary 543 1487 or greertonmarket@actrix.co.nz www.facebook.com/greertonhallmarket

The Secret Garden

Dance Avenue June 24 1pm & 5pm. June 25 11am & 3pm. At Baycourt Addison Theatre. www.baycourt.co.nz

ZEE Market

Handmade, Handcrafted its all here on display. Welcome Bay Hall 24 June 10am-2pm