Forum Replies Created
-
Posts
-
Racing clearly has a problem. We all know these aren’t ‘racing people’ causing trouble, but the moment they enter a racecourse, they unfortunately become our problem.
In the past few weeks, I’ve heard a lot being said about perspective. With how you might only get mass brawls at 10-15 meetings from several hundred each year, which, on the face of it, does not seem like much.
But, you will find that these are always big race days. Be it a Saturday or a mid-week festival day. A meeting that will capture the interest of non-racing folk who may fancy attending for the day out. Therefore, it’s vital that racing makes a good impression when appealing to the masses on big race days for the future of our sport.
Otherwise, once-a-year race goers will stay away and go to the local zoo or ten pin bowling instead.
I attended the Guineas meeting last year as well as Glorious Goodwood. They were my first flat meetings for probably 10yrs (I attend more NH fixtures) and I saw a very noticeable change in the clientele and I get why folk are comparing them to football type fans/ yobs, because that’s what they act like. I was with my Girlfriend and even though we both like a drink ourselves, I kept my wits about me and reduced my intake as I felt it could kick off at any given time. It wasn’t a pleasurable experience until we spent the rest of the day at the parade ring. There was a bar nearby and we could watch racing on the big screen so there was no need to move. Although, it’s tragic that we took the decision to isolate ourselves and not experience the whole course which is why you go racing to begin with. You
It’s easy to see the appeal as to why the racing product has found its way to the younger generation who have no real interest in the sport itself. Groups of young lads and girls have an excuse to dress up for the day, consume as much alcohol as they want without any real fear of being chucked out (in the same way they might in a bar), have the odd bet where they could win money and bragging rights, chat/ flirt with the opposite sex and if you’re lucks out, no big deal, move onto the next one. If they feel they need an energy boost half way through the day? No problem, a cubical trip will soon sort that without any fear of you being thrown out once more. And when the day is done and you feel like a good ole scrap, there’s no real security to do anything about it.
This problem will only get worse unless courses seek help from professional security firms. That is going to be costly, so they have a decision to make on whether to protect racing’s image or turn a blind eye and welcome/ line their pockets from these ‘new’ race-goers with open arms.
It’s a very worrying time for the sport. This current clientele will not suddenly decide to not have their binge day out in the sun. Why, when everything’s so perfect the way it is right now.
This all boils down to security. Racecourses have a duty to protect the paying punters and the image of the sport. Let’s see which courses take this seriouslyIf I was filthy rich, like Sheikh M rich, I’d pay Altior’s owners to take on Douvan. I’m convinced he’d beat him up.
What concerns me with absolute monsters like Altior is how much it takes out of them when everything, visually, seems so easy for them. You may not get much shelf life with equine athletes like him, so I see no reason to hang about
Ginge just hates the idea of someone being successful at the game by not adopting or agreeing with his methods. Not a great characteristic
Que a long, protracted & pedantic response with sections of your post dissected to suit his agenda. Can’t wait…
Interesting debutant in Chantilly this morning. Terrakova. Daughter of Goldikova out of Galileo for Freddy Head. Hope she goes well
Andre Fabre sends another one out in the next hour. Overview, a filly out of Take The Hint. Another one for Prince Khalid. 13:15 Maisons-Laffitte
It’s hard to find a chink in his armour and he looks set for a big run. If we get a lot of rain, I’ll be interested in Jet Setting having won well last time and she’s been supplemented which tells you she’s come out of her last race well.
Lightning Spear has had a nice break and comes in relatively fresh. He’ll need to improve 4-6lbs to figure here, but having only had 10 career starts, it’s not completely out the question
Is it not pretty much the same set of players as the last few years with nice additions (this year) and a few off loaded who don’t cut it (age or injury concerns)? And if we’ve made Top 4 pretty easily the last two years there’s no reason to believe this season will be any different. I know City, Utd & Chelsea have had strong starts, but I expect one of those to faulter in the coming months. Leicester have been worked out, so will not be able to challenge (reckon they’ll put everything into the CL), Liverpool look good, but that’s nothing new and consistency has always been their main issue (see Burnley). Spurs are solid and will mount a strong Top 4 challenge. Should be a cracking season in store. I still expect Arsenal to make Top 4. I predict they’ll finish 2nd or 3rd
Welcome CRW, I need your help here.
I truly don’t understand how the Irish Derby could have held up the Derby form as anything above what it was.
Idaho had raced Harzand twice before and lost both times. He lost again in the Irish Derby.
Harzand went into the Irish Derby rated 123 and came out of it rated 123. That spells same ol’, same ol’ for me.
Good Derby horses don’t need excuses. Anyone backing US Army Ranger this week at odds on, was expecting him to win it, fully wound up or not. How many races does it take to get him fit anyway for goodness sake?
The Racing Post gave Zhukova winning yesterday despite running 2 lbs below her rating. As far as they are concerned she didn’t improve in beating the Derby runner up.
Thanks for the welcome, Steve
I believe we’re already in agreement? I was just trying to explain to GT how we could never really expect Harzand to find one or two too good in the ID because he was just beating up the same horses from Epsom plus a couple of no hopers. It told us nothing.
Anyway, I’m not really one for slamming performances. I am looking forward to the end of year 2yo Gp1’s though. Especially on Arc day. There’s a heck of a lot of really well bred unraced individuals out there still (Appleby has a Dubawi out of Blue Bunting). I wouldn’t expect them to be contesting that much at this late stage in the way of group races, but it’ll be interesting to see them hit the track nonetheless
The true test is when they take on their elders, which so far, has proved the Derby to be below average. No biggie. We’ll get a Golden Horn or maybe even a Sea the Stars Derby in the next 5-10yrs…
Which races are you judging those 3 year old Derby horses on?
1st Harzand, has only run once against his elders, over an inadequate trip and finished lame. Are you really going to judge him on that?
2nd US Army Ranger, has clearly had a set back, otherwise he’d not have had 78 days off at what should’ve been a busy time. It’s about as obvious as it gets, he’s been below form due to injury. Not helped either by a poor ride last time. Are you going to judge him on that?
3rd Idaho, hasn’t raced against his elders.
4th Wings Of Desire, finished a lot closer to Highland Reel in the King George than he did to Harzand in the Derby. Highland Reel then franked the King George form in the International.If you’re judging Derby form on what happens when the principles meet their elders you haven’t got much to go on yet.
We’ve only had one ‘good’ run (WoD – KG) so far against elders from the first 5 home in the Derby. Admittedly a small sample (x6 runs, I believe). Yes, USAR was off for 78 days, but I see no reason why he shouldn’t be winning at the weekend having had a run to get him fit. Bondi Beach was handled very tenderly and ToK finished close up despite being rated 99.
I’m not looking to change your view on what you perceive the strength of the Derby to be. I’m just expressing why I believe it to be below average. The next 4 weeks should tell us more if the first 4 at Epsom take up their future engagements. I’m sure we’ll talk more then…
The best prospects turn up in the Derby each year (barring injury/ setbacks). That’s hardly a mystery and this year was no different. It’s just that the best prospects were not of a high standard (comparable to previous years) this year. Sometimes you’ll get a poor Guineas, but I still expect future winners to come from that race by virtue of the fact that it’s (usually) the best race (in terms of talent/ potential) of that year. The true test is when they take on their elders, which so far, has proved the Derby to be below average. No biggie. We’ll get a Golden Horn or maybe even a Sea the Stars Derby in the next 5-10yrs…
Thanks, Joni.
I’m sure he is. And it’s great to hear some of you meet up at the races, although I expect you’ll be going into hibernation in the next month or so. Hopefully you can finish the season off as strongly as you have done the past two years. I do enjoy following your progress
