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The problem now is Channel 4 know the BBC aint interested and are virtually a monolpoly on terrestrial which is catch 22 because now they can pick and choose what they show. The synic in me also wonders whether Racing UK, now they virtually run C4 racing, have a hand in this now Doncaster is not one of theres I wonder if other none Racing UK tracks on C4 will get less prominence.
I am quite pleased – there was far too much classy racing on Slappers Day when Donny is pretty grim and the support card for the Leger was always crap – too many tedious hcaps and the Flying Childers
Im tempted to say which day is slappers day in Donny but you would take up to much room writing 365 different days on here
With 1 week to go you’d think that all Doncaster Racecourse had on its mind would be getting things ready but no, silly season is here in the local paper today it is reported that a row has erupted over the name of the new stand.
A company called Urban-i are sponsoring one stand and as a result Urban-i is the new name of this stand but a conservative councillor has got her knickers in a twist claiming it should be called St Leger Stand
What does it matter? what matters is that they get the racing back on and everything goes smoothly, the company have said that the racecourse will still be called doncaster racecourse and are investing money and getting the racecourse exposure. Lets hope no more nonsense and quality racing gets priority.
I was reeading teletext letters today and see the anti Doncaster brigade are out again moaning about the St Leger being group 1, the same people who moan about the Lincoln being a dull start to the season, despite it being one of C4 racing biggest audience ratings and most bet on races (Jim Mcgrath C4). I hope the new track and facilities will prove them wrong. The St leger is only as good as the horses who take part its up to the trainers to get some decent horses and enter them.
The St Leger meeting is one of my favourites.
In the old stand there was plenty of unreserved elevated seating for Day Members.
I do hope this is still the case with the new facility?
Perhaps any forum member attending Donny this Friday will post here and advise ?
I am off to Doncaster tomorrow and having been a visitor on a few occasions in the past (last time 2004) i can say i will do my best to give my opinions on the new facilities compared to previous. Doncaster have been quoted as saying "Don’t judge us in August, judge us in September at the Leger meeting", so i hope that doesn’t mean too many restrictions tomorrow or the place looking like a building site still !
I’ll be there too, hoping they haven’t ‘done an Ascot’. Particularly looking forward to viewing the new stable/saddling boxes and pre-parade ring which I believe are now sited at the other end near the Clock Tower stand.
According to the managing director on ATR yesterday everything happens in front of the stands, the parade ring is next to the stands. The stables have been moved onto the main site so the horses dont have to cross Bawtry Road and stop the traffic. There will eventually be a hotel and leisure apartments.
Lets hope that this is a turning point for Arena Leisure and not another one of there disasters that has dogged them this summer.
If you are going to Doncaster tomorrow be aware C4 Teletext says that there is a 6am inspection by HRA to ensure everything is ok for racing unless any unforseen circumstances occur overnight then there should be no problems.
so what did people think anyone go what are the facilities like. Good racing i thought
I went and I was impressed. The main function of any stand is to give people a good view of the racing and I have no complaints on that score. The ordinary Tatts customer could get high up in the stand without any problem and the view was terrific.
The huge betting hall on the ground floor wasn’t open. I peered through the doors and it looked like there’s plenty of work to be done there before the Leger meeting.
My only serious gripe is the failure to set aside an area where alcohol couldn’t be taken. I don’t like to see people drinking in the betting ring and paddock areas of a racecourse and I hope they establish some no-go areas at the big meeting.
Overall, I really liked it.
Happily the new grandstand differs little from the old one in layout and access to the betting ring, though half the ground floor was still under wraps.
The new Tatts terrace seating/bar above the re-sited weighing room affords excellent viewing of the straight.
The parade ring has been shifted slightly, is a bit smaller and now includes the winners enclosure.
The pre-parade ring is situated behind the Clock Tower stand which is a mixed blessing as it is now within easy walking distance of the grandstand and new entrance so will be much more crowded than the lonely old one.
The grandstand cafeteria where you could get a plate of cheapish stodge has gone to be replaced by a number of small ‘speciality’ food outlets, all overpriced.
They were allowing alcoholic drinks to be taken into the betting ring today which I sincerely hope is a one-off.
According to the racecard the first NH meeting isn’t until the end of January which, if true, is a bit of a pi$$er.
No problems really, it’ll do fine
Overall, I really liked it.
Don’t let the Ascot critics hear you say that . Praising progress – whatever next ?
No sentimental yearnings for the comfort zone of the way things used to be ?
Ive always found the racing fans problems with redevelopment strange
The old Asciot was horrible. You could hardly have a bet, see the race and get to the paddock in one go. The grandstand was dismal inside too. Apart from the vioewing (and that is a big big issue) the new stand and paddock at Ascot is fantastic
looking forward to donny leger day. I always liked the old donny for reasons i couldnty quite put finger on. Decent atmosphere without beinga scrum perhaps. But sounds like theyve got things right
According to the racecard the first NH meeting isn’t until the end of January
/quote]The three meetings scheduled for December (2, 14, 15) will go ahead as planned which is welcome news.
Don’t believe what you read in racecards
That’s good to hear, Drone.
Eddie Fremantle, writing in today’s Observer, likes the new stand: "…it is to the credit of the planners at the South Yorkshire track that the new grandstand…pays plenty of respect to the traditional racegoer rather than pandering entirely to those on company jollies."
My sentiments exactly although I’m inclined to think that space is going to be at something of a premium on Leger day itself even with the cavernous betting hall open on the ground floor. On all other race days, the new stand should cope nicely.
Fremantle mentions that pie and peas now costs £5.50. It was only a couple of quid under the old regime. It’s not all good news, then.
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