Riccarton

[We're Doomed 6,139]

We do hear a lot of criticism about the way racing is run in NZ. Even I have been slightly critical on occasion. But, I must say, I was at Riccarton on Saturday and they did put on a pretty good show. We have become used to the bomb site at Trentham over recent months, so in comparison the way Riccarton has replaced their two demolished stands with grassy embankments looks quite attractive.

They have almost managed to become a cross between a city track with a well appointed grandstand and a country track with lots of grassy environs. I can never understand why Ellerslie jams their patrons into the 150 odd metres prior to the finishing post. The way Riccarton lets cars park along the running rail seems like a much better idea to me.

Other than during Cup Week the single grandstand probably is all they need given the crowds at race-meetings these days. And it did look like a quite contented crowd on a nice sunny day. I thought I had been under charged for beers and food in the bar, then after checking out the prices realised everything was very fairly priced.

And most importantly the track itself seemed to play quite well with winners coming from all over. Reverberations leading all the way and never looking like being beaten, Riviera Rebel diving through along the inside to win easily, between times Betty Spaghetti coming right down the outside fence. There was certainly something for everyone. Even breaking 60 seconds for 1,000m in the last on a heavy 10. I bet that doesn't happen very often.

And great to see the South Islanders take out the whole card, including the first four home in the Warstep, despite a sizable northern contingent. Loose Sally certainly looks an impressive type. Two very good fillies out of the south this season. Just a pity that was the only race further than 1,600m for southern 3yos all season.

And the Canterbury Gold Cup quinellaed by two horses that ran over 1,200m at their previous starts, due to lack of alternative opportunities. I bet that doesn't happen often either. A significant number of Otago and Southland horses backed up from Riverton only seven days earlier and did very well. It is perhaps unfortunate that Oamaru doesn't kick in until mid June given the number of horses in the deep south currently.

I won't get carried away, but Riccarton might be doing some things right. I would like to see them make a bit more effort to get genuine sponsors for more of their races. If country clubs can get decent sponsors for all of their races, surely a club in a city of 400,000 people can get sponsors for all their races on a big day.

[Shad 1,710]

Definitely need some sort of stand for the public viewing point, can't see much at ground level, watching the big screen doesn't do it for me, at least with a stand and binoculars you'd be sorted.

[TurnyTom 1,829]

Will be a long time coming Shad, the Club not that flush with $ like most clubs

[Shad 1,710]

7 hours ago, TurnyTom said:

Will be a long time coming Shad, the Club not that flush with $ like most clubs

You'll be right on that score for sure, wouldn't be to many clubs in nz that would be flush I'd say.

[TurnyTom 1,829]

32 minutes ago, Shad said:

You'll be right on that score for sure, wouldn't be to many clubs in nz that would be flush I'd say.

The traditional larger Clubs lining up for the windfall from provincial sell offs …. Long time coming is my pick

Mismanagement reigns and the silver bullet many many years away, I am pleased about that

[We're Doomed 6,139]

42 minutes ago, TurnyTom said:

The traditional larger Clubs lining up for the windfall from provincial sell offs …. Long time coming is my pick

Mismanagement reigns and the silver bullet many many years away, I am pleased about that

The money from most of the sell offs won't go all that far. Riccarton won't be able to expect much.

Avondale is the big windfall and after that probably Trentham. The Trentham money will have to be invested somewhere nearby so there won't be much spare cash out of that transaction.

I don't know if it is envisaged that some of the Avondale windfall will find its way south to the likes of Wingatui, Riverton and Ascot Park.