October
AprilSpring's the thing
Racing NSW has introduced some excellent initiatives in recent years.
While one could argue some of the huge prizes for the top end at The Championships would be better spent beefing up stakes for bread-and-butter racing, there’s no doubt the carnival format represents a major step forward.
In particular the Provincial and Country Championships, each with a rich series of lead-up events around the state, have added a new dimension to the autumn.
Two problems remain, and they’re currently in abundant evidence.
One, Sydney’s weather is abysmal at this time of year. Two, racing gets lost among the early rounds of the NRL and AFL.
When Winx wins in October, she leads the sports bulletin. When she wins in March or April she might get 20 seconds at the end.
The ATC’s new October feature day, starring The Everest, was a runaway success — beyond the club’s expectations, I’m sure. And this year’s looks likely to be even bigger.
Imagine selling out a race day at Randwick. Maybe all that money was well spent after all.
But while the concept of a $10 million sweepstake sprint has proved to be a winner, I think the timing of it was just as big a factor in getting the crowds out. The result is that Racing NSW and the ATC will continue to eye off dates later in the spring.
From a Victorian perspective, maybe that will be a good thing — a rising tide floats all boats, and all that. But when it happens, the Melbourne clubs need to capitalise on it, not complain about it.
Castlemaine (Vic)