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Pinza, I understand this is a subject close to your heart and you express you feelings very well on it, imo. But did you really think about that last comment before you submitted it?
I hope so, Cav. Like the Triple Crown, the fact that the Middle Park/Dewhurst has not been "won" for a number of years does not mean that the idea is meaningless. Part of the pleasure lies in wondering which of the winners will prove the better in the season to come.
We know that pre- and post-publicity for the Dewhurst has been adversely affected by not making it the centrepiece of the current "Champions Day". Sticking it on as a support act for the Champion Stakes was fatuous enough. Replacing the Champion by the Middle Park is at best a curious way of addressing the problem!
The fact, pithily pointed out by others on this thread besides me, is that there will be two Group 1 races for 2yo’s at Newmarket:
* A few minutes apart
* On the same track
* On the same ground
* Only 1F different in lengthAll this will make comparison between the two winning animals swift, accurate and pretty conclusive. The diminution of winter debate on this will impact on ante-post markets too. So leaving aside damage to the Pattern’s diversity, if that isn’t
marketing
incompetence (brand dilution), then I don’t know what is.
It is significant to me that RFC can’t even get the
marketing
aspect of their job right. Thus my remark about making British Racing a laughing stock….
Compare that to Pontefract which couldn’t be any closer to a station & they even put a special on after racing. Full to bursting,
Considering that Pontefract is a town of modest proportions it is lucky indeed to be served by three railway stations. For me, from York, getting there is dead easy: half an hour on the 11am to Baghill station, pint in The Liquorice Bush and wander down to t’Park. Unfortunately there is no return service on that direct line after racing; so it’s aboard the cattle truck at Tanshelf station, change at Wakefield or Castleford, may be change at Leeds, arriving back home in York mid-evening hungry if not thirsty
Actually I disagree with your assertion that racecourses are in general "no go areas" without a car. Considering that they are by default and design large fields; hence hardly suitible for an urban situation, I find most relatively easy to get to by public transport. Kelso is something of a Twisleton-Wykeham-Fiennesian trek from Berwick; Haydock given its ‘Grade 1’ status is indeed a drag from Newton-le-Willows; and one does require an encyclopaedic knowledge of the timetable in order to avert the gloomy prospect of an overnight stay in Market Rasen
I suspect overland to Ffos Las may be an adventure requiring ample reserves of Kendal Mint Cake. I’m in training
Eddie Fremantle, Dave Nevison and I’m sure many other racecourse regulars let the rattler take the strain, and I, now that I’m very much a racecourse irregular, find the getting there and back contributes to the enjoyment of a ‘day out’. It is so much easier to anticipate and reflect in a train than it is in a car
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I suspect overland to Ffos Las may be an adventure requiring ample reserves of Kendal Mint Cake. I’m in training
I should think so. "Rail" comes a poor third down the "how to get here" page, with Kidwelly and a 5 mile taxi ride the cheapest option.
A little research indicates the only rational option from York is the 05:57, arriving Kidwelly 12:38 (two changes, at Manchester Piccadilly and Swansea) and hoping you make it for the first race. Perhaps a B&B in Ffos Las itself might be nicer…
Re: The Arc Meeting.
THIS is THE European Championship.
Why re-invent the wheel? *sigh*
Cracking card today played out in front of more trainers than punters.
A card like today’s switched to a Haydock, York, Ascot etc would attract a bumper crowd in comparison
You don’t think the terrible weather forecast had something to do with it? BBC forecast promised constant heavy rain and strong wind from 10:00 – 19:00
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