15/05/15
Yesterday on this website I wrote an extensive article in which the Chairman of Racing Queensland, Kevin Dixon, advised all and sundry in a radio interview on RadioTAB last Monday that the Queensland thoroughbred industry “is bounding along”.
In that aforesaid article I stated the following: “Then last Saturday we get a lousy ‘6,300’ crowd at a multiple Group 1 day of racing at Doomben from a population base of a whopping 2.2million – and that’s just the population of Brisbane, not surrounds – and “they” are as excited as kids in a candy store about the terrific roll-up. How on Earth is that a success story when they get 40,000 to a game of football at Suncorp Stadium? But despite all those aforesaid queries, according to the Racing Queensland Chairman, Kevin Dixon, thoroughbred racing ‘is bounding along’.”
So far so good – we have each expressed out point of view. No problem there. But subsequent to my article yesterday my attention has been drawn to the following article written by Racing Victoria’s Brad Bishop on the racing.com website. This article shows that the Doomben roll-up last Saturday of “6,300” was so pathetic that it did not even constitute 50% of the number that attended Day 3 at Warrnambool last week. Warrnambool’s crowd on Day 3 was 13,100 and its climate at this time of the year is obviously much colder than Brisbane.
And as advised yesterday, Doomben had the opportunity on a gorgeous fine and sunny day to draw their crowd from a population base in just Brisbane alone of 2.2million. For the record, the population of Warrnambool is – are you sitting down – 34,393 or just 1.56% of that of Brisbane, as per this thread:
http://forecast.id.com.au/warrnambool/home
You might say Warrnambool had a show holiday on Day 3 which is correct and that’s why nearly half the population of the town turned up to the races, but that one sadly won’t hold any water, as the vast majority of the 2.2million that live in Brisbane don’t work on a Saturday either. And in a more damning indictment on the “pathetic” size of the Brisbane Racing Club’s Doomben crowd, according to the article repeated below the Warrnambool crowd figures were achieved in “cold and wet conditions”.
It is my considered opinion that anyone who considers that “6,300” attending a multiple Group 1 day of racing at Doomben is anywhere remotely satisfactory is kidding themselves, particularly when Warrnambool didn’t have a race carry above Listed status on Day 3 of their Carnival. The Sunday Mail last Sunday stated: “The opening Group 1 day of the carnival attracted a crowd of 6300, which was well up on the corresponding day last year but short of the 7500 BRC (Brisbane Racing Club) officials had hoped would meet the quota of the combined BTC and Doomben Cup days in 2014. Chairman Neville Bell is hopeful bigger numbers over the remaining three days can help this year’s condensed carnival match the five day total from last year”.
I don’t recall a tsunami and/or earthquake hitting Brisbane on the day in May last year, but it must have, as remember the Doomben crowd figures last Saturday were “well up”. And I’ve no doubt that BRC Chairman, Neville Bell, would be “hopeful bigger numbers” would turn up “over the remaining three days”, because “6,300” is absolutely dreadful – and as alluded to above, that’s with good weather thrown in. Good grief – imagine what will happen to crowd numbers if the weather turns ordinary.
So there you have it. According to the bloke in charge of the whole shebang, All Codes Board Chairman, Kevin Dixon, thoroughbred racing in Queensland “is bounding along.” But certainly from a crowd perspective, when one stands back and smells the roses with the valuable asset of an open mind, thus having the ability to put both positivity and negativity aside, I’d think that thoroughbred racing in Queensland “is bounding along” about as fast as a kangaroo that has just been hit by a Kenworth truck doing 100kmph on the Bruce Highway.
The full article written by Brad Bishop read:
Significant wagering and attendance increases at last week’s Warrnambool May Racing Carnival prompted Racing Victoria to predict a bright future for the iconic event.
Crowd numbers at each of the three days of the Carnival, which was held from Tuesday to Thursday last week, were up at least 15 per cent, while wagering across all operators was up seven per cent on 2014.
Racing Victoria chief executive Bernard Saundry said those figures were pleasing and painted a positive future for Victoria’s biggest non-metropolitan racing carnival.
“The release of the official wagering results confirm it was a highly successful Carnival and I’d like to congratulate all involved at Warrnambool Racing Club for their achievements in executing a fantastic event,” Saundry said.
“To have more than 25,000 fans trackside across the Carnival in cold and wet conditions is a pleasing result, with the event achieving attendance growth across each of the three days.
“The strong support the Carnival received from both participants and the local community cements its position in the annual Victorian racing calendar and provides a great platform for the Club and the industry to further grow the three-day event.”
After a 17 per cent increase on last year’s opening day, turnover was up 14.9 per cent on Day 2 before a six per cent hike on the final day when there were extenuating circumstances.
“The seven per cent wagering growth across the Carnival was realised despite turnover being affected on the Thursday due to Betfair’s wagering system being down for the day,” Saundry said.
The Day 3 crowd of 13,100 was up 20.7 per cent on 2014, following from a 29.8 per cent spike on the Day 1 crowd (5743) and a 15.8 per cent increase on Day 2 (6490).
The overall crowd figure of 25,333 was up 21.3 per cent on last year.
Total starters at this year’s carnival numbered 331, which was up 9.6 per cent on last year, and, importantly, all six horses that fell throughout the course of the week were uninjured.
Racing Queensland Cadet Handicapper, Sam Watson, has advised the website that the scaled weights for Caloundra tomorrow are: Race 3 + 1.5kgs, Race 6 -2.5kgs, Race 7 – 2.5kgs and Race 8 + 0.5kg. So in my words, not Sam’s, he’s telling us that the Caloundra Cup (Race 6) and Glasshouse Handicap (Race 7) are of above average standard to what horses normally line up in the race.
Glen Prentice, who is the President of the Queensland Jockeys Association advised the website that the National Jockeys Trust has a big golf day on next Monday week – May 25. The event will occur at the North Lakes Resort Golf Club, which is at I Bridgeport Drive, North Lakes. Registration is from 6.30am for a 7.30am shotgun start. MC on the day will be S for Simon Marshall. There are two packages available and all other details in respect of the day are outlined on this thread:
http://www.njt.org.au/events/qld-golf-day-25-may-2015.aspx
The apprentice jockey weights for Caloundra tomorrow should be:
JOCKEY
WEIGHT
Cassandra Schmidt
54 claims 2kgs
Geoffrey Goold
54 claims 2kgs
Luke Tarrant
50 claims 0kgs
Beau Appo
49 claims 3kgs
James Orman
53 claims 2kgs
Bridget Grylls
49 claims 2kgs
Sam Payne
53.5 claims 2kgs
Today on www.brisbaneracing.com.au I list 36 horses that I wouldn’t back at Caloundra tomorrow – and advise why. On www.sydneyracing.com.au there is a story on the Scone yearling sale which is on Sunday, whilst on www.melbourneracing.com.au Matt Nicholls looks at the weekend’s racing.
Neil Davis from the popular New Zealand racing website www.formpro.co.nz has sent his thoughts through on Kiwi horses racing tomorrow in Australia and they read:
Sunshine Coast
Please check all times and numbers with official lists.
Race 5 – 2.42 p.m.
7-Redeem Code won at Ellerslie over 1600m leading all the way but got a very soft lead and had to win. Battled over more ground. Shaune Ritchie has a good opinion of the horse but against these may struggle to place. Maybe over more ground later he can be looked at.
15-Elusive Catch has come up much stronger this campaign. In her last two starts her last 200 metres has been very fast and strong. She will get back and with a decent tempo she will be coming hard when others are gasping. Nice eachway chance at good odds. $26
Race 7 – 4.02 p.m.
9-Allez Eagle has been in strong form in New Zealand. He is settling better in his races now which allows him to unleash his powerful sprint. From his draw, he should be able to slide forward and be in a good spot and be a good eachway chance from there. Currently $6
New Zealand
Waikato at Te Rapa 1.20 p.m.
8-Dubai Shuffle last start here was 7th off a slow tempo and was 6 lengths off the leader Miss Mossman 600m out. So he did very well to charge home for second and was strong through the line. Miss Mossman ran a game second next up last week in a stronger field. Drawn a bit wide but Danielle Johnson may go forward if he jumps well as he does have early speed. But he may snag if not, but with Danielle riding so well, she will give him every chance and he looks a solid eachway chance. Currently $5 FF
The Postman has sent his thoughts through and they read:
Another big day of racing in Adelaide tomorrow with the highlight being the Group 1 Goodwood. I think we can build a bank earlier in the day with the highly promising Zanteca in race 2. This 5yo mare has really hit a purple patch of form & I’m confident she can handle the rise in class & distance & claim the Japan Trophy over 2500m. Each of her four runs this prep have been excellent & two starts back @ Cranbourne should’ve finished closer when held up approaching the turn & losing momentum, only to get going again & run a solid third behind Allergic. Last start @ Warrnambool, Zanteca settled midfield before being set alight from the 800m, coming around them upon straightening & powering away to win eased up by 5 lengths.
Trainer Darren Weir has picked a nice target for Zanteca tomorrow & she should be very hard to hold out for mine. She has the gate speed to be able to slot midfield in the running line, she stays down in the weights & the step up to 2500m looks ideal. Go Dreaming should set up what looks a good tempo, which should suit Zanteca perfectly. She looks to my eye a very progressive staying type & if given a good run in transit tomorrow, I’m expecting her to put these away with a bit up her sleeve. Zanteca is building a very good record in her short career, and it should read even better if not for bad luck & bad barriers. I’m hoping all goes well in transit tomorrow & she can show how much promise she has.
Zanteca opened around $2.4 with most agencies which I think is a fair enough price. I have her marked 5/4 or $2.25. She’s my best for the day in Adelaide.
Morphettville 2-7 Zanteca.