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Not in a position to comment on the benefits or otherwise of having a Fibresand track as I don’t follow AW but if this is the end for Southwell’s AW track – which would seem odds-on given the devastation – then I hardly think there will be a void left in need of filling with Great Leighs supposedly opening sooner rather than later albeit on polytrack.
It’s long struck me as curious that they have just the one (I believe) turf Flat meeting there so it would make sense to spend time and money re-instating the turf track with a view to increasing the number of meetings.
And of course there’s the NH fixtures to consider expanding too. Thoroughly enjoyed them, and the wee place, on my visits there.
Whatever happens I wish all the course staff well coping with such a foul mess.
Some of the ill informed and rancid speculation written on here beggars belief. If you don’t like betting at Southwell, then don’t. End of. I’m a regular and along with several others, we’re upset at the minute. The place is like a boating lake – and it’s still raining.
Southwell has a hardcore of regulars who adore both the racing and the course itself. Anyone who cares to delve deeper than Spotform in the Daily Mirror can find regular winners, particularly over staying trips.Compared to the lottery which is Polytrack, Southwell racing is wages.
I’d rather do my bank at Southwell than bet a quid at a punters graveyard like Folkestone or in the filthy Tote facility at Bath. Did you see the meeting at Hamilton the other day? Truly, truly dreadful fare. Enough to put you off horse racing as a sport.
Why does Southwell get all the flak?
The track suffers from a deep rooted prejudice against the AW and even amongst AW enthusiasts, it is considered the poor relation, probably because of it’s surface and geographical position, (i.e the North), and some of the trickier stables who patronise the track.
The staff are universally recognised as friendly, welcoming, polite and approachable. The food is good. There’s a sweetshop and facilities for kids to enjoy, (contrast that with some "prestige" turf courses). The evening meetings are relatively well attended and in good weather, the atmosphere is congenially English. Southwell also keeps racing going when the jumpers shut up shop – which used to be for months, in case you’ve all forgotten.
The openness and proximity of the winners enclosure allows a keen punter to listen in on post-race reaction and on many occasions, I’ve engaged in conversation with trainers and connections – and I’m just a nobody. Try that at some "prestige" meetings.
What has happened here in Southwell is saddening and highly regrettable. It’s going to have an economic and psychological impact on the community. No-one knows how much. But the place will survive as an AW venue; the will is there and the ability to repair.
Agree with all that Maxilon except for one thing. Southwell is definitely not in the North!!
Amen to all that, Drone. I must have been to Southwell six or seven times since the AW track was installed, but only ever for jumps meetings. Picture postcard pretty it ain’t (not with all the pylons), but the flat track and uncluttered infield gives rise to excellent viewing, the atmosphere is utterly unpretentious, and both the fish’n’chip bar and open sweets stall more than pass muster.
It’s a shame that the rains have struck when and how they have, as the course’s Summer Plate trial (won last year by Tevere) was either just about to be run or would have been a few days ago (can’t remember the precise date off hand), along with a pretty reasonable supporting card.
All I would say about Southwell’s jumps course, however, is that it is yet another sharp Midlands course in a summer jumping calendar largely dominated by them. Once Hexham and Towcester close their doors in late June, only Worcester could realistically be counted as not sharp, and, love it as I do, Southwell doesn’t add much to the canon that Stratford, Rasen, Uttoxeter etc do not already. Opportunities for big old boats and genuine stayers are pretty limited, Summer National aside.
My ideal outcome for Southwell, therefore, would be for the Fibresand to be reinstated (no, really), more of the course’s jumps fixtures moved back to Spring and Autumn, and somewhere more exacting being talked into hosting Southwell’s erstwhile summer fixtures instead. It will never happen, of course, and they would need to muster a watering system from somewhere, but in my giddier moments I visualise Bath having portafences and French hurdles stuck all over it. Now be honest, wouldn’t that make for some excellent, dour finishes!
gc
Jeremy Grayson. Son of immigrant. Adoptive father of two. Metadata librarian. Freelance point-to-point / horse racing writer, analyst and commentator wonk. Loves music, buses, cats, the BBC Micro, ale. Advocate of CBT, PACE and therapeutic parenting. Aspergers.
It would be a shame to see Southwell close but I reckon the insurance will put them out of the game .. I’m not a fan of Southwell AW but I don’t dislike it either. I think the NH course is very smart though and would like to see more of it.
I feel sorry for the annual members. Having worked for a bookie at Southwell for a few years I got to know several of them – they were a knowledgeable bunch and the members badge was a bargain – with so many meetings it worked out at about £2 a throw – the best value in racing. Food was good/cheap and staff were friendly. Always thought I’d retire there.
isn’t this where the HRA, BHB, JC, the big bookmakers, tote, etc, should all step forward to help meet the costs of repair ?
Agree with Maxilon’s sentiments
Southwell AW has probably been my favourite track in betting terms over the last few years. Anyone saying it is unpredictable and a bookies benefit hasn’t spent enough time watching it imo (banded racing apart)
As others have noted, it is has also always been a friendly venue, with damn fine pork rolls…
only Worcester could realistically be counted as not sharp
gcIt appears Worcester could be in trouble for a while too, with next Wednesday’s meeting already cancelled. With five more meetings scheduled for July and August it remains to be seen if they survive. Don’t know if it’s still flooded but as has evidently been the case at Southwell, the turf is likely to be in very poor shape having been submerged for a lengthy period.
And I wonder what it’s like up the road at Stratford-in-Avon who have two meetings scheduled for later this month
Good points by Maxilon 5 even though I don’t like Southwell’s fibresand.
Polytrack is a fantastic surface IMO but I’d prefer if they used it only in the winter months.
Hamilton – my local track and probably one of the most improved venues in British racing, there’s not much wrong with the racing there and even the poorer cards are better than anything Southwell can throw up, Southwell would in fact love to be Hamilton but it can only wish
Totally agree with all of those who want to keep the fibresand surface.
Fibresand is real horses-for-courses racing ; winners usually have course form.
Polytrack is more of a lottery, imo ;nobody wants the lead , and it is just a question of who closes best.
Take your choice.
Never had the pleasure of a visit to Southwell but I’ll certainly miss the fibresand racing there. Those midweek winter afternoons wont be the same without it. Hope to see it back as a fibresand venue but I suppose the insurance people will never have it. Best wishes to all the regulars and employees there.
Totally agree with all of those who want to keep the fibresand surface.
Fibresand is real horses-for-courses racing ; winners usually have course form.
Polytrack is more of a lottery, imo ;nobody wants the lead , and it is just a question of who closes best.
Take your choice.
Absolutely ClintM – when we have a fibresand meeting here and you see half of the field are turf horses and you know they cannot go a yard in the sand, it makes it a lot easier to pick a winner.
Excellent article on this subject on our own Jeremy Grayson’s blog http://thatracingblog.blogspot.com/. My first visit to his site but not the last given the writing is as good as anything I have read on the sport.
Indeed, a nice piece on Southwell, although I suspect that Lingfield might dispute the claim that Southwell staged the first AW meeting in this country.
AP
Thank you both. I just like to write.
Alan – you’re almost certainly right. I’ve just checked a couple of sources and Lingfield (October 30th) just shaded it by a few days, whereas the source I’d refered to initially was emphatic that it was Southwell that hosted one first. Last time I entrust http://www.waltermittyracing.com, I think.
gc
Jeremy Grayson. Son of immigrant. Adoptive father of two. Metadata librarian. Freelance point-to-point / horse racing writer, analyst and commentator wonk. Loves music, buses, cats, the BBC Micro, ale. Advocate of CBT, PACE and therapeutic parenting. Aspergers.
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