quentinSpring Racing Carnival: What Went Wrong (part four)
December 5th 2006 00:23
Melbourne sporting crowds have become accustomed (perhaps too accustomed) to comfy seats and spacious surrounds.
Look at Telstra Dome, the refurbished MCG and even Rod Laver Arena and Vodafone Arena.
While the seats are far from reclining Lay-Z-Boys, compared to the harsh, stubbly lawn of Flemington, Melbourne sporting freaks are used to spectating in style.
So cram 130,000 into a venue that probably needs only 120,000 to be well and truly full, and once happy campers turn into snarling bulldogs, start biting people’s ears off and go home (with a limp, a hangover and wrecked suit).
But what about Melbourne Cup Day? Wasn’t that the mecca, the biggest day of them all? Not anymore, you stupid traditionalist.
Cup Day was not blessed by the greatest weather this year, but the crowd was down all-the-same.
Could Melbourne be suffering from a Makybe Diva hangover?
It seems that cup day crowds are scared of the crush that only occurs on Derby Day. This train of thought actually makes Melburnians seem switched on.
Stuff the hustle and bustle of cup day, let’s trick everyone and go to Derby Day. What a shame the other 129,998 people were thinking the same thing.
10am Cup Day and prime real estate on the front lawn can still be found. 10am Derby Day and my face is still in the crevice of a stranger’s armpit.
Come on Melbourne, let’s rediscover the joys of Australia’s greatest race.
Cup Day isn’t without its problems though. It’s a bloody long day, whether you’re a punter, bookie, jockey or horse-shit scooper in the mounting yard (for them, an especially long day).
Check back for part five tomorrow...
Look at Telstra Dome, the refurbished MCG and even Rod Laver Arena and Vodafone Arena.
While the seats are far from reclining Lay-Z-Boys, compared to the harsh, stubbly lawn of Flemington, Melbourne sporting freaks are used to spectating in style.
So cram 130,000 into a venue that probably needs only 120,000 to be well and truly full, and once happy campers turn into snarling bulldogs, start biting people’s ears off and go home (with a limp, a hangover and wrecked suit).
But what about Melbourne Cup Day? Wasn’t that the mecca, the biggest day of them all? Not anymore, you stupid traditionalist.
Cup Day was not blessed by the greatest weather this year, but the crowd was down all-the-same.
Could Melbourne be suffering from a Makybe Diva hangover?
It seems that cup day crowds are scared of the crush that only occurs on Derby Day. This train of thought actually makes Melburnians seem switched on.
Stuff the hustle and bustle of cup day, let’s trick everyone and go to Derby Day. What a shame the other 129,998 people were thinking the same thing.
10am Cup Day and prime real estate on the front lawn can still be found. 10am Derby Day and my face is still in the crevice of a stranger’s armpit.
Come on Melbourne, let’s rediscover the joys of Australia’s greatest race.
Cup Day isn’t without its problems though. It’s a bloody long day, whether you’re a punter, bookie, jockey or horse-shit scooper in the mounting yard (for them, an especially long day).
Check back for part five tomorrow...
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Comment by nerak
Now, I know Robbie Williams is not SPORT... but I'm hoping you'll make some comments about his appearance on the 17th and 18th of December at our 'SPORTING' venue the Telstra Dome. I'm betting he'll pull in more of a crowd than the Melbourne Cup. What odds will you give me??