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It was good to see some competitive fields at Newmarket yesterday, under some of the dire fare served up by the July Course on several Summer Saturdays.
However, as mentioned by Nick Luck, was it sensible to start yesterday’s card with all the group races followed by the Cambridgeshire? It gave the card a top-heavy feel and it rather petered out after the big handicap.
I appreciate terrestrial coverage calls the shots but racegoers ought to be considered as well. Wouldn’t it have been better to have started half an hour earlier with the fillies maiden? Then ITV could go on air to broadcast the feature races.
Two other observations. Firstly, it is a bit disappointing for racing that two of the most important juvenile races and one of the most historic handicaps of the season were relegated to the backwater of ITV4.
Secondly, couldn’t RTV and the Irish authorities have arranged for a larger gap between the Cambridgeshire (3.40) and a race at Listowel (3.43)? It was inevitable the big cavalry charge would have to be shown on a split screen.
Wasn’t there so didn’t affect me, but staging the main four races first was a failure to “put on a Show” for the racegoer, for sure.
It was all for TV, who in any event had relegated coverage to ITV4 as snooker must be more popular (why else would they do this?)
But my main complaint yesterday was that the Royal Lodge….
1. Wasn’t round a bend at Ascot
2. Was conducted at an even more funereal early pace than the Queen’s hearse
3. Had the “wrong” result!
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It's the "Millwall FC" of Point broadcasts: "No One Likes Us - We Don't Care"I only realised it was on ITV4 when the split screen appeared on RTV.
I switched to ITV, expecting to find the racing there. It wasn’t!
I never watch ITV4 and do not know its channel number, so I had to quickly switch back to RTV and try to ignore the distraction from County Kerry.
I watch TV so seldom I don’t even know how to find ITV4, or if it’s even on FreeSat or FreeView or whatever it is I have.
I will watch ITV Racing on mute if it’s on ITV1, but if not I’m happy enough watching the racing muted on betting sites.
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It's the "Millwall FC" of Point broadcasts: "No One Likes Us - We Don't Care"Perhaps they were trying to give snooker more visibility by putting it on the main ITV channel.
Anyway, recorded the racing and fast forward to the races themselves and saved two hours of my life rather than listen to too much chatter by the endless communicator’s they employ.
“recorded the racing and fast forward to the races themselves and saved two hours of my life”
Smart move.
I am "The Horse Racing Punter" on Facebook
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It's the "Millwall FC" of Point broadcasts: "No One Likes Us - We Don't Care"If you just intend to watch the races themselves and not all the drivel, there’s no need to record the whole programme.
Just go to the Sporting Life website or mobile app, where you get all the replays free of charge once you’ve registered.
Even smarter move.
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It's the "Millwall FC" of Point broadcasts: "No One Likes Us - We Don't Care"Agreed CAS the racing is always so much better on The Rowley Mile…I didn’t really mind the racing being top heavy with Group Races, from a selfish point of view it just meant that the track emptied out a bit after The Cambridgeshire making it much easier to get around the course and see the horses. Those that left missed out on 2 really competitive 2yo races and a chance to see the upcoming stars of next season, going on to end with a competitive handicap for 3yo’s won by Godolphin’s Noble Dynasty.
I think CAS made a good point about starting earlier with Fillies Maiden as Vermilion ran such a brave race and should have been seen by TV viewers. She fought back after being headed by Mubhijah close to the line to win by a neck. Andrew Balding was standing a few feet from us by the winning post which gave me the most hope that she would win.
Although Newmarket is not the most popular of courses it is the place where most future Champions tread before they have made their mark in big Group races.
Looking forward to the Sun Chariot next week…Jac
Things turn out best for those who make the best of how things turn out...Jac,
I was at Newmarket both days and the highlight for me was seeing old Limato in the parade to promote Retraining of Racehorses that took place before the first race yesterday.
My last visit to the Rowley Mile prior to this weekend, was the day he won the Challenge Stakes in 2018.
The Rowley Mile course is a million times better than the July Course.
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It's the "Millwall FC" of Point broadcasts: "No One Likes Us - We Don't Care"@apracing
I was kicking myself for missing Limato in the parade ring yesterday. If only they had advised us in the racecard that there would be a veterans parade I would have been there earlier.
Glad you enjoyed the day and so pleased to hear that old Limato is doing well.
JacThings turn out best for those who make the best of how things turn out...“The racing is always so much better on The Rowley Mile.”
“The Rowley Mile course is a million times better than the July Course.”
Completely agree. I will always like the July Course because it was the first track I ever attended but the Rowley Mile is far better. It is such an atmospheric track.
It is interesting to have it confirmed that people were leaving after the Cambridgeshire yesterday. Spectators going after the 4th race of 7 is not a good look.
“Although Newmarket is not the most popular of courses.”
It gets a bad press and it partly explains why the Champion Stakes was moved to Ascot. But in my mind the Rowley Mile will always be one of the best tracks in the country.
“Spectators going after the 4th race of 7 is not a good look.”
Spectators leave Epsom after the Derby, or football matches early.
It happens.
I have to admit I have left Epsom after the Derby but that is usually the 5th race of 7.
I often leave meetings before the last race. However, I cannot recall leaving a meeting with 3 races still to be run.
I will never forget the very last Champions Day at Newmarket in 2010.
Twice Over won the Champion Stakes and Frankel won the Dewhurst. If I could bottle the atmosphere that day with Henry Cecil looking so dapper and acknowledging the crowds I would now be a multi millionaire.Things turn out best for those who make the best of how things turn out...
Jac
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