Billed as “Champion’s Day – Africa’s Richest Raceday” was enough to attract anyone with a modicum of horse racing interest, but imagine the anticipation of a regular visitor to Turffontein, one who visits the track at least three times a month. As a “regular”, the challenge of finding winners among the country’s top horse competitions, brings it’s own excitement. But as if the top talented horses in the country are an insufficient drawcard, an international cuisine is an additional attraction, so is the Ferrari display, beer festival, kid’s carnival and an international Village Charity, each linked to a thoroughbred in Derby. The net was cast far and wide to ensure that there are numbers at the track. This is the allure to Turffontein Racecourse!
In my excitement, I invite my son, who is recovering from a foot injury that has left him on crutches, and his family.
On the morning of the race, I turn to Tellytrack, the horse racing channel, to listen to experts offering their views on each race. The panel of three experts has focused their attention on the previous runs of each horse, comments from trainers and their own expert views on past performances. This, surely, is the best guide to someone, like my son, who is going to visit the track for the first time.
Of the 42 trainers and 29 jockeys competing on the day for prizemoney in excess of R7 million, Tellytrack was successful in attracting the opinions of 2 trainers. Whatever the reasons- trainers not willing to express their views on their charges, not being available or Tellytrack not bothering to put together an exciting presentation – the net result was a poor show, remember this is Africa’s richest horse racing day.
Needless to say, the opinions express by the competitors needed analyzing. What is he saying exactly? Does his horse have a winning chance, or just to be included in exotic bets or to be left alone for another day. Even having a Phd, will have assisted very little in understanding the gobbledygook of horse speak! The program was certainly not of Champion quality and made little contribution to Africa’s horseracing flagship!
Well, we set off to Turffontein!
Being a regular visitor to the track, we went to the usual entrance except that there was a security guard separating those with VIP cards from those without, who were then directed to turn around and enter the course from the infield parking area. Judging from the long line of cars that had to be turned around, just like we were instructed to do, it was clear that there were no signs indicating this change of entrance. Being a regular week end visitor to the track, I found this treatment of regulars highly irresponsible! After all, regular patrons to the Casinos are treated with respect and privilege to recognize their valued patronage. Special parking arrangements are made for regulars.
Even the airlines reward regular travelers with loyalty programs, but at Turffontein you have to be a VIP. Who is a VIP? How do you get this status conferred on you – regular patronage, is certainly not the way to go. These VIP’s make one or two visits to the racecourse in a year, but on important racedays, they receive all the privileges, normally reserved for regular patrons at most businesses. What are we missing here?
On reaching the infield parking, a pathway over the grass and sand tracks to the entrance has been laid. At various points the track is steep and dangerous on the decline especially for the aged, those in wheelchairs and my son who is on crutches.
The walk from the car park to the entrance takes approximately 15 minutes for someone on crutches battling the uneven terrain. From being early for the first race, we are now desperately close to missing the first race, where the Woodroffe trained favorite looks like a strong win bet. Reluctantly, I have to leave my son to scamper to the bookmakers for the first bet.
On course, there are only 2 locations where there are Bookmakers and both are full with punters trying to get their first bets on. Luckily, I am recognized and manage to get my bet on, just in time. The challenge of placing a bet with the Bookmakers existed all afternoon.
We left the course after the last race. Going through the tunnel was another challenge – it was dark and there were no lights on. En route to the parked car we had to assist several senior citizens to walk cautiously down the track that had been laid.
While recognizing that a great deal of effort had been invested into Champion’s Day, and especially into VIPs, it was very far from a Champion experience for regular and loyal patrons.
via email – Lionel Grewan
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