Racing at this time of year is usually for following horses into Group 1 wins, but suddenly there’s so much happening the form needs to be put aside for a second.
Off the track, news about possibly moving the Melbourne Cup came and went within a day or two. It was a test by someone down in Victoria, run up the flag pole and then shot to bit.
Nevertheless, while racing may actually benefit from a shake-up of the spring carnival, this was deemed too much of a sacred cow. The first Tuesday in November it will remain. Of course, the AFL found a way to move the grand final from the old ‘last Saturday in September’ without attracting too much scorn, so don’t think we haven’t seen it raised for the last time.
On track, the Newmarket Handicap was won by a horse first-up, defying 100 years of history in Redkirk Warrior at odds. (Bless handicaps!)
Humidor won the Australian Cup, running down Jameka in a very fast race.
Staying on track and looking ahead, Winx should meet Chautauqua this Saturday in the Group 1 George Ryder (1400m) at Rosehill which is particularly intriguing – but we’ll save that juicy clash and all the Golden Slipper chat for later this week.
In a mix of on and off track headlines, Flemington’s surface attracted more criticism. While few were taking the Michelle Payne approach of attacking track manager Mick Goodie, it’s clear the track visually has a shorter inside cut of grass and plenty of questions are being asked as to why the rail wasn’t moved. The ‘fast lane’ is up for debate but if people are talking about it rather than the racing, it’s an issue.
The ATC also managed to do good, cutting beer and food prices by up to 33 per cent. Fair play.
But the off-track issue that caught my attention the most was one of racing’s other sacred cows now resembling a dodo.
Good Friday racing is here
Good Friday racing will happen for the first time.
WA is the first state to fall away from one of the only two days in the year that horses aren’t on a track somewhere. Ascot will stage an eight-race card on April 14 that will include the $200,000 Group 3 Sires Produce Stakes.
That leaves just Christmas Day as the one day a year without horses on track.
In comments made by Racing and Wagering Western Australia (RWWA), it seems the inevitable became just that.
“AFL, rugby league and soccer will all be played on Good Friday in Australia this year and it is clear that not only those events but also our own consultation process, community attitudes to the day have changed,” said David Hunter, RWWA’s manager of Commercial Racing and Planning.
We don’t need racing on Good Friday. And there’s certainly enough gambling in the world already.
But the prospect of Good Friday racing is probably too good to be ignored, even if we don’t see it in NSW or Victoria this year or for a few more years. Not everyone will be happy once they do fold but that will die down and it will be just another day before too long, religious considerations respectfully put aside.
Think of the options. It opens up the Championships to a meeting across Friday and Saturday rather than split across weeks. It gives Melbourne racing a new avenue in the autumn which doesn’t hold a match to the spring.
Could we even see exciting new races and innovations, giving Principal Racing Authorities and clubs all kinds of good headaches?
I’m barely scratching the surface of what could be – it’s not often racing gets to start something from scratch and create a new tradition that doesn’t forgo the old traditions.
Have a go at the Good Friday concept if you dare, Roarers!
Razzar
Guest
With u Scuba. As much as its the dullest day of the year. prepping for Sat passes those long hours. More racing only dilutes the product. Perth racing actually almost holds no interest for me. Plus on that day my wife has a tidy list of odd jobs for me to do. :))
Ryan H
Guest
In an ideal world perhaps. Something tells me the majority of those who can afford to invest heavily in a 800k race horse aren't overly interested in thrilling the masses with there prize investment at the risk of personal loss. Get some black type, rinse and repeat seems to be the way. Those who are only have to be burnt once. On the other hand those who strike gold with a cheap colt or filly who turns out to be the real deal also struggle to let the animal continue to race, keen on cashing in while its still alive and well and reputation intact e.g. Winning Rupert. If the only one way out is too pray for philanthropic attitude amongst those at the yearlings sales then I am afraid this is just what we are now stuck with for quite some time. Only possible way of changing it may be a requirement for so many runs before a stud career, or so many seasons on the track from there first run etc. but just cant see anyone getting that sort of ruling past.
sheek
Roar Guru
Ryan, Maybe those people in racing, especially the very wealthy ones, should take a step back & consider giving back to the industry that may have given so much to them. A philanthropic attitude. But I guess that's asking too much of some individuals, many of whom I suspect, see wealth accumulation as their primary goal.
sheek
Roar Guru
Okay Andrew, You may be right. Just notice that the group, or grade races, stop in the last week of October I think, & don't resume until the following late Feb/early March. But that's just the group/grade races.
Ryan H
Guest
While I agree with frustration that comes from our young up and coming WFA stars going to stud, I have more or less just conceded its part of the sport now. I see no logical way to change the practise, and I cant say I wouldn't do the same thing if in that situation. The financial gain is very high and risk free meanwhile the continued racing career is so risky. Its a no brainer. Cash in on your investment and re-invest in another. In saying that, I am still devastated All Too Hard got retired to stud.
andrew
Guest
not entirely true. in the UK the switch from jumps to flat over the winter, they donr cease racing, as you put it. happy to accept your point about other parts of eurpore. perpahs the slavs, czechss, etc... do stop racing all together in winter, for obvious climatic conditions. i cant say im au fait with every jurisdiction. unless you are suggesting UK is no longer part of europe, in which case i would concede, but that is a seperate debate, and in any event is still part of europe in a geograpghic sense (if not political).
Scuba
Guest
Great idea, because 363 days of racing in Australia each year isn't enough. The desperadoes can already bet at Kranji on Good Friday. Chances are they'd know as much about Singapore form as Ascot form anyway. If I'm going to be doing something racing related on Good Friday, I'd rather be doing the form for Easter Saturday.
sheek
Roar Guru
Tristan, It appears thoroughbred racing is attempting to make itself more relevant to the public by announcing a new race - the Everest; changing the conditions of the Caulfield Cup to wha, maybe & moving the date of the Melbourne Cup, quickly shot dead. Now racing wants to every day of the year just about. In Europe they cease racing for several months during winter. It wouldn't hurt if racing had a month's siesta in Australia, say, take all of July off, to allow maintenance & upgrades of tracks, let jockeys & trainers have a break, or go overseas, etc. But I'll offer a reason why thoroughbred racing may be struggling for relevancy. And yes, it's a chestnut of mine. While many punters might not care but about the names of the horses, jockeys or trainers, or distance & conditions of the race, a wider group of sporting enthusiasts thrill at the contest. Yes, the contest. And nothing brings patrons to the racetrack in ever large numbers than the thrill of seeing two or more champions race against each other. Imagine that happening in two or three races at one carnival. You might struggle for standing room. Racing has to find a way to cease this practice of retiring horses to stud so early in their career, other before they turn 4 or by the end of their 4 year old career. While a small number of individuals benefit from this practice, usually the owners & breeders involved, the majority of sports fans are definitely short-changed.