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Letter of the Week

Go bush

Like many, I had hoped for the jumpers to remain in the city, but maybe it is time to rethink.
The Melbourne Racing Club has been a saving force in city jumping, but maybe it’s time to look to the country and plan for a realistic future, rather than long for the past.
Grand Nationals at Bendigo or Ballarat could be a stand-alone Saturday meeting. The other club could have a stand-alone Australian Hurdle and Steeple four weeks prior.
These are both city-class racecourses that won’t detract much from punter confidence and therefore turnover.
This alternative keeps some nationwide exposure, yet lets the city clubs get out of jumps racing.
The SAJC has shown it doesn’t want jumps anymore, so South Australia could do similar, with an Oakbank Grand National stand-alone Saturday to go with its Easter carnival and the rest of the jumps races in the country on Sundays or weekdays.

John Tutty
Gold Coast (Qld)
Today's Racing
Friday 29 March
Saturday 30 March
Sunday 31 March