October
OctoberA bridge too far
The annual debate over the distance of the Victoria Derby is on again. Gai Waterhouse has come to the defence of a 2500-metre derby, which she describes as the traditional distance.
I dispute that — 1½ miles or its metric equivalent, 2400 metres, is the traditional derby distance.
The Victoria Derby was run over 1½ miles or 2400 metres from 1855 to 1972, admittedly from a poor barrier. However, the 2500-metre barrier used since is only marginally better and in my opinion makes the race too long for early three-year-olds.
I would favour a 2000m derby, because of the race being run so early in the season, but I can certainly live with a 2400m one, the traditional distance.
I think it is up to the VRC to provide a decent, fair 2400m barrier. If that means changing the configuration of Flemington then so be it. Perhaps the stalls could be placed against the outside rail of the Flemington straight. Surely it is worth trying.
Flemington, not long ago, was resurfaced. We are told it has just about the best grass surface in the world now. But I was very disappointed that, when the work was done, there was no attempt to improve the notoriously bad barriers, the derby start being one of them.
To spend so much money on resurfacing without worrying about obvious faults in the 150-year-old layout seemed wrong and short-sighted to me.
Frankston South (Vic)