Scott 5Spring Racing Carnival: What Went Wrong (part three)
December 4th 2006 02:14
How can it be that the culture of Derby Day has changed so much, that horse racing now plays second fiddle to piss-heads, Savoy biscuits and french onion dip?
Why did I have people asking, “Does SCR mean a horse is scratched?”
But does it matter to the VRC?
Probably not… Aside from the obvious crowd crush issues, and the inherent problems with public transport (that are promised to be fixed each and every year – and should have been, considering Bracks has an election on his hands).
More heads mean more dollars. It’s a simple formula.
In an industry that struggles to survive in the off-season, then can’t fit enough in during the ‘big days’, the VRC and Flemington Racecourse are like country pubs when the Great Victorian Bike Ride rolls into town.
Quiet all year, then sold out of 62 slabs in one night – and as long as you look 14, you’re as good as over age.
The VRC has every right to maximise the benefits of its cup carnival, but walk a fine line. “I’m not coming back next year,” declared one squashed spectator. “F… this, I’m leaving now,” said another, after race three. It wasn’t one in 1000, or even one in 100 publicly stating they wouldn’t return.
It was closer to one in 10.
Why did I have people asking, “Does SCR mean a horse is scratched?”
But does it matter to the VRC?
Probably not… Aside from the obvious crowd crush issues, and the inherent problems with public transport (that are promised to be fixed each and every year – and should have been, considering Bracks has an election on his hands).
More heads mean more dollars. It’s a simple formula.
In an industry that struggles to survive in the off-season, then can’t fit enough in during the ‘big days’, the VRC and Flemington Racecourse are like country pubs when the Great Victorian Bike Ride rolls into town.
Quiet all year, then sold out of 62 slabs in one night – and as long as you look 14, you’re as good as over age.
The VRC has every right to maximise the benefits of its cup carnival, but walk a fine line. “I’m not coming back next year,” declared one squashed spectator. “F… this, I’m leaving now,” said another, after race three. It wasn’t one in 1000, or even one in 100 publicly stating they wouldn’t return.
It was closer to one in 10.
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