October
AugustSnap unhappy
I hope the SAJC eases up on its strict policy against the use of cameras (including phone cameras) before the club’s Irish raceday.
I understand their reasons for the heavy crackdown — the protesters who sneak in hoping to take photos of falls in jumps races to give our sport a bad image, never interested in publishing the many positive images.
Unfortunately because of their behaviour the general public are being penalised.
I like to take photos of horses in the mounting yard, but have been told to put my phone away. I saw a lady doing the same at a recent Saturday meeting, and she looked a little embarrassed when told by a crowd controller to put her phone away because it is the club’s policy not to allow photos.
I can’t see any harm in photos being taken before or after a race. Maybe ban cameras during a race and announce it on course so the public are aware of the rules.
Irish day is one of the bigger race days on the SAJC calendar, one of only a handful of days where the club gets a decent crowd. I’m sure many once-a-year racegoers will want to take pics on this great day, so the last thing the club needs to do is over-police the general public, because they won’t want to come back.
The atmosphere at Morphettville lately has been similar to a high-security prison with a ratio of one guard for about every 15 patrons.
Hackham West (SA)