Cape – A Boutique Summer Racing Centre?

Why are racing folk always so reticent to rock the boat and demand answers?

As a punter and occasional small owner over the past forty odd years, I keep asking myself a question – where is Cape Town Racing going and what is Phumelela (or any other vested interest, for that matter), doing about it? So asks Philip Goldberg, in a letter to the Sporting Post mailbag.

Skeleton-Crew

I know the Summer of Champions season ends next Saturday 20 February, but surely there must be more horses in the Western Cape that could populate more than a 7 race programme such as that which we saw on Saturday?

This past week on Tuesday saw another 7 race card at Kenilworth with a total of 60 runners – that is an average of 8.5 runners per race!

For punters that is a turn-off.  I can also  just imagine how Vee Moodley is banging his head in frustration!

This just cannot be profitable for anyone involved and I am astonished that there is no public debate and sharing of minds to try and address the issues and the problems.

Maybe the bigger yards are sitting with too many horses and the smaller yards with too few? But how do we implement a balance – with legislation?

Personally, if I had a large stable, I would be running 3-5 horses in each race, aiming at earning as many stakes as possible.

Or is that me oversimplifying matters?

I am asking the Sporting Post, as the country’s only independent racing media, to please get a comment from Larry Wainstein, Clyde Basel and Rian Du Plessis – and even from a leading trainer or two down here.

Maybe the Cape is destined to become a boutique summer racing centre – with temp staff manning the stables and Kenilworth Racing run by a skeleton crew?

At least our top commentators Rouvaun Smit and Jehan Malherbe will have some time on their hands to go and do some training at Ngong. But oh my, that’s another story.

So many questions – so few answers.

Why are racing folk always so reticent to rock the boat and demand answers?

We are, after all, talking about executives earning big salaries to do a job.

 

Have Your Say - *Please Use Your Name & Surname

Comments Policy
The Sporting Post encourages readers to comment in the spirit of enlightening the topic being discussed, to add opinions or correct errors. All posts are accepted on the condition that the Sporting Post can at any time alter, correct or remove comments, either partially or entirely.

All posters are required to post under their actual name and surname – no anonymous posts or use of pseudonyms will be accepted. You can adjust your display name on your account page or to send corrections privately to the EditorThe Sporting Post will not publish comments submitted anonymously or under pseudonyms.

Please note that the views that are published are not necessarily those of the Sporting Post.

Subscribe
Notify of
guest
12 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

Share:

Facebook
WhatsApp
Twitter

Popular Posts