Big Race Days. Exciting, but expensive?
With the J&B Met just around the corner, the focus has once again fallen on some new rules and the benefits enjoyed by Racing Association members in the Cape.
The Gauteng based Racing Association has found acceptance quite difficult in certain sectors of the Cape racing fraternity, since taking over from the tried and trusted WP Owners and Trainers Association, which was run for three decades by Rodney Dunn.
There will always be suspicion and resistance to any change and while there is no question that the RA have implemented positive changes in a short while, the lack of a credible leader and poor communication in the region may be the two factors stunting acceptance and inhibiting progress. Consultation, empathy and the very best interests of the sport of horseracing were always the chief considerations behind decisions made by WPOTA in years gone by.
Rodney Dunn was always available on course and there was no shotgun approach to any change in policy or rules. Racing Association Chairman Larry Wainstein came out strongly late last week in reaction to a letter published in the Sporting Post mailbag (SP 2007) from owners who had a runner on L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate day this past weekend.
Wainstein, who has a thankless job, said he appeared to be having to continue selling the benefits which, he felt, ‘speak for themselves.’ In the letter, owners Cunnington and Smit, who had a runner on the big day, lament the apparent lack of benefits for RA Members, other than expensive dining areas. They say they are ‘disgusted with the treatment of small owners and small trainers.’
They point out that RA Members are expected to pay R2500 for the RA Paddock Room. In our original approach to the Racing Association for comment on the matter, the writer’s names were withheld. They were subsequently published with the letter. In an email reaction Wainstein said that the authors of the letter appeared to be misinformed and welcomed them to contact him.
Wainstein added that a communication was sent to RA members informing them that his organisation had been given access to the particular facility for upgrading on the understanding that on Queens Plate day it was to be utilized by the sponsors, ‘which is in their contract with the operator.’
“Unfortunately it is a reality that no RA members will have access unless they are prepared to pay the price that has been set by the sponsors. That is why the Pocket Power Room was made available, just as the Elevation Room is used at Turffontein. The rest of the facilities are run by Kenilworth Racing and the RA is not responsible for them.
We try and facilitate all Members but unfortunately we only have one room and the caterers on a major day like the Queen’s Plate will not be able to make sandwiches and provide this service. I apologise if they feel that there are no benefits but providing sandwiches is definitely not something we can do on a big day,” he said. Wainstein said he was aware that many owners had seen an improvement in most aspects in the Cape, including stakes and other changes .
“However, if they feel that there are no benefits I will refund their membership fees as we do not want unhappy members,” he said. The RA have also been party to new Parade Ring criteria which were introduced countrywide on 11 January. In a Press Release, owners were informed that the Racing Association, Gold Circle, Phumelela Gaming, The National Horseracing Authority and Kenilworth Racing were in agreement that the new rules will enhance the image of the sport and uphold vital safety considerations.
Access to the Parade Ring on any raceday will now require either an RA, Gold Circle or NHRA badge. Those not belonging to an Owners’ Association can receive valid badges distributed by the NHRA. A letter was sent by the governing body clarifying this new arrangement, with Colin Hall the contact person to help resolve any queries. Badge holders can also bring additional guests into the Parade Ring, using day badges acquired at Info kiosks on-course or by contacting us.
Only badge holders of the various organisations may sign for additional parade ring accreditation for guests on the day. Guests need to be correctly accredited by wearing an existing badge or parade ring accreditation which is available at the info kiosk. A revised dress code does not allow short pants and sandals (only collared shirts are acceptable), and children under 12 years of age may not enter the parade ring for safety reasons.
Once again it is easy to criticise. The access and dress codes can only add value, but the aspect of the banning of children under 12 has already been the subject of much debate. While prevention is better than cure when it comes to safety, we could find no archival records of any accident or injuries to children in the Kenilworth Parade Ring over the past fifty years.
Our Readers Say
On every occasion that my Daughter has entered the parade ring we have had a child minder (with horse knowledge) that has looked after her. I fully understand the dangers with horses, but they can also occur to ANYONE in the parade ring…and I doubt there will be demarcated area’s put in place.
Bill I have to agree with you that racing runs through generations – as a very young child it was a highlight for me to go to races and to have led in “my 1st winner” as a 7 year old with my Father, Harold – 20 years later I look forward to taking over the reins and allow my Daughter the same enthusiasm and excitement that I shared as a young child.
One of our horses that we purchased at the yearling sales 2 years ago was bought specifically for our daughter and I find it tremendously sad that she spends her time daily with him at the stables, but come race day she can’t attend as I won’t be prepared to leave her upstairs alone. I acknowledge that in every aspect of life there are rules that need to be adhered to, but I sincerely ask that this situation can have a bit more thought put into it…. Im sure we would all love to pass on our love for horses and racing to the younger generation.
Kindest regards
Michelle Rix
H. CRAWFORD RACING
.
In giving this matter more thought after writing to you saying that besides a few race meetings the rest of the year the courses at the Western Cape are pretty empty.
I have realized that some owners are perhaps not as cautious as they should be although the parade rings in the Cape are nowhere as potentially dangerous as Gauteng and an alternative then for under 12s has to be offered when patrons have to go to the parade ring. That could be a small child minder centre suitably manned when those Parade ring instances do occur.
However racing is particularly fuelled by family blood running and passed from generation to generation and here in the Western Cape trainers and Breeders especially besides owners make race day a family affair and if the love for racing isn’t born in the parade ring and winning box in particular then where is it?
Kind regards
Bill Jacobs
