- This topic has 10 replies, 7 voices, and was last updated 17 years, 4 months ago by
.
-
Posts
-
Off to the evening meeting on Friday, never been before, is it a good track?
If anyone has any pointers or advice please let me know.
I suppose the biggest factor will be the going given the uphill nature of the course
Pontefract was always one of my favourite tracks but now, as with so many others, it’s become too popular for me. Too many people (many just going for a boozy / stag / hen p+%s-up). Oh how I long for those old pre all-weather Monday afternoons at Wolverhampton. You had no trouble getting served at the bar and only those really interested in racing bothered to go.
But hey – don’t let a grouchy old sod like me put you off. Have a good time; hope you enjoy yourself.Pontefract’s a good viewing track and the slightly gone-to-seed Tatts stands a delight as is the upstairs bar/restaurant, but Friday night meets are a baptism of fire. As Insomniac hints it will be packed with booze-enhanced testosterone so get their early to enjoy a civilised stroll around.
Never been in the Members’ stand but it’s newer and looks quite swish.
Dire weather forecast for Friday
1) If you intend to have one of the giant Yorkshire puddings filled with sausages, mash and gravy don’t eat for three days beforehand!
2) You could do worse than back Breaking Shadow each-way in the last – form of last month’s Newcastle fifth from poor draw has worked out well and didn’t stay 7f at Haydock last time.
Have fun.
Yes, it’s a good track.
I don’t think there’s any particular problem with drinkers. Certainly, the bars are packed but you’d expect nothing else on a Friday night and anybody making a night of it will only be starting off and will be going on somewhere else afterwards. Gundill is a very good, "hands-on", Clerk of the Course and runs the place extremely efficiently.
You’ll have a good time, weather permitting.
I think they just showed on RUK ‘onefurlongout’ being escorted from Pontefract by two policemen.
Low draws in sprint used to be essential although treat this rule with care when the going is riding on the easy side.
The Tap and Barrel’s a good pub for pre race drinks. It’s also just about the nearest to the track (within walking distance) now that The Queens has been turned into flats.
Careful with some of the pubs in Ponte such as the Grove Lea though. They still did not even know the war was over. I found a Japanese POW still hiding under the pool table while I was in!
The Tap and Barrel’s a good pub for pre race drinks. It’s also just about the nearest to the track (within walking distance) now that The Queens has been turned into flats.
Deary me, didn’t know The Queens was no more. Very handy for a pint of dutch courage prior to boarding the rattler (sardine class) back to Wakefield.
Presumably the splendid facade has been retained as I sincerely hope it’s Grade II Listed.
The Liquorice Bush is a decent pub and does/did good lunches.
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.