Racing and Sports now moderates the Talkback forum to ensure posting guidelines are adhered to.
The views expressed on Talkback are those of the writer and not necessarily those of Racing and Sports. You must be a registered user to write postings or send messages to other users. Click here to register.
Author: Egghead Timestamp:- 14/7/2004 3:29:08 PM Subject: Royal randwick
Message: When is the AJC going to bite the bullet and programme more of their non feature race meetings at Warwick Farm in the winter and summer months when there is no carnivales?? I love watching the races at Randwick- but for goodness sake, the farm provides one of the fairest surfaces in Sydney along with Canterbury. One saturday meeting at both Canterbury and Warwick Farm isn't enough per year. Throw some "lesser" race dates at these venues and although betting turnover and crowds may decline- it may provide the week in punters with some variety!
Author: Rogan Josh Timestamp:- 16/7/2004 10:12:18 AM Subject: Re: Royal randwick
Message: The issue is not just about members it is about putting in the investment to attract new interest. Randwick has had a lot of money spent on its facilities with very little on the farm and the AJC own the farm. Of course people are going to be more inclined to go to where the action is and where there are better facilities. People have less of a reason to go to the farm as the quality of races and been transferred to Randwick and the facilities have not been improved. I love Randwick and Flemington but if the top races were moved somewhere else I would follow. It also takes time, money and foresight to build up a racing day. In recent years the AJC have done a great job with the Easter week. About a decade ago they massively increased the prizemoney for the Doncaster turning it into an event race. The QEII stakes has also been lifted and a lot of promotions creating a buzz and hype have brought a lot of people to racing.
Got to agree with Racing Gal, amazing the decision of the NSW Government about the old tramway at Randwick. Would never happen in Victoria. The Carr government proclaims hundreds of national parks out in the middle of nowhere but in the city where a decision might cost a few dollars (yet not much out of a $37 billion budget) they just sell community land to the highest bidder. Given the Randwick situation in Victoria they would not only keep the land for racing but bring back the trams to move the crowds. You have a great access line from Randwick though the Moore Park precinct and down to the City.
Still wish the AJC bought the land even with the conditions. May have been able to renegotiate the terms and conditions with a different government in 5, 10, 20 years. At least it would have been saved.
Author: Sir Timestamp:- 15/7/2004 5:46:21 PM Subject: Re: Royal randwick
Message: There is an aspect to this that has only been briefly touched on! And unfairly so - most people find the reality offensive. While it is all well and good to talk about the poor punter and falling crowds - everyone seems to forget that Randwick and Warwick Farm are both run/owned/administered by the AJC - a "Members organisation". Break that down further, and you will find that 80% + reside/live/work in the Eastern suburbs/northern/inner west - and wouldn't be too keen on many more meetings out west. Now before everyone screams "chardonnay set" and "anti west" mentality - let me create further divide! As a member of the MCC it cracks me up every year to hear the footy fan and Vic government alike screaming for more seats in the MCG for the common man (especially on Grand Final day etc) Well - bite your ass! We pay our money! We have been slugged the surcharge to do the rebuilding etc etc - so if you want a seat in the house - pay your dues!!!! The analagy?? Randwick and the AJC is the same! I just renewed and paid for an extra guest pass. That's almost $600 per year let alone the initial $600 joining fee. Before we start crying over the "punters" who want more racing out west - lets look at how many you lose by doing so. Sorry guys but there it is.
Author: Racing Gal Timestamp:- 15/7/2004 4:49:18 PM Subject: Re: Royal randwick
Message: I couldn't agree more re the transport issue but I don't think any NSW Government understands or wants to understand racing.
Take the bus and taxi roadway into Randwick. Originally it was the tram line to the course and after trams were discontinued it was used as the bus and taxi drop off and pick up. The land was owned by the Transport Authority so what does the NSW Government do - it puts the land up for sale and puts conditions on a sale to the AJC and then sells it to Hong Kong developers even though the land is zoned recreational. The matter is now before the High Court. I don't know how the Government expect to get people into and out of Randwick on Carnival days and taxis are not allowed to stop on Alison Road but I except that don't care as long as they are getting their taxes from racing.
The Government in Victoria is so pro racing and it is paying dividends. I only wish they were in NSW.
Message: It is ridiculous that the AJC is penalised for doing what is best for racing in moving races to the farm to conserve Randwick. Also the farm is a great racing venue and a much better setting than the refineries and industrial blocks that surround Rosehill.
The AJC was disappointed with the attendance of the Metropolitan meeting on the October long weekend. Why not transfer the Metrop to the farm and try and build up the meeting on the Monday, rather than have it lumped in with Epsom day. The AJC has not done enough to build up the metropolitan, it was once one of the great races of the turf.
It is a great shame the way racing is treated in NSW compared with Victoria. They used to have train that serviced Warwick Farm with the platform just outside the course gates, just like Rosehill or Flemington and the government of the time said they would no longer support it even on big days. And now the track is ripped up. The lack of long term vision is astounding. The population growth around the farm is huge and will continue to develop. The AJC should recognise this and implement a strategic plan to improve the infrastructure of the farm. The members and public facilities both need work and some form of convention and entertaining facilities would be a good investment over time.
Author: gwynne Timestamp:- 14/7/2004 5:00:35 PM Subject: Re: Royal randwick
Message: Thr problem is 2 fold. 1) they are penalised by the TAB for not hosting the meeting at Randwick and 2) for some reason the locals just don't turn out (I myself am one of the locals.)
I don't really have the answer other than the fact your standard punter in South West Sydney is either the local drunk who doesn't want to go to the races because they can't drink as much or your bunch of sporting fanatics who have the kids sports or their own on saturdays and who go to the pub or TAB after their game. I've only been to Warwick Farm once and that was because my cricket was washed out on Chipping Norton Stakes day this year. Combined with the fact most city members won't travel and it makes the returns pretty average at the Farm.
Its good to see Hawkesbury getting its own Saturday but disgusting in my opinion to consider tranferring the Canterbruy Guineas to Randwick. Group 1 racing in particular needs to stick to itsheritage otherwise it risks becoming average.
Author: Racing Gal Timestamp:- 14/7/2004 4:22:26 PM Subject: Re: Royal randwick
Message: Unfortunately the TAB does not like racing at Warwick Farm and it seems to have a big say in where races are run.
The AJC switched two meeting during the autumn and a couple during the winter and the TAB have withheld more than $600,000 due to the AJC.
Maybe now that TABCORP are in charge things might change. We can only hope.
I agree though I think most of the winter meetings after the June long weekend should be at Warwick Farm. Its not a hard track to get to. I live in the Eastern Suburbs but it is only a half hour drive on the M5.
This site is maintained by Racing and Sports (®) Pty Ltd (ABN 093 360 108) ("R&S").
Copyright in all R&S materials is owned by Racing and Sports Pty Ltd (R&S).
Racing and Sports is a Registered Trademark.
R&S takes all care in the preparation of information appearing on the site, but accepts no responsibility nor warrants the accuracy of the information displayed.
This information is provided for entertainment purposes only. All information including race fields and TAB numbers should be checked with an official source.
(RAS-WWW03)
(ADS1)
Post a reply to this message.
