ROB'S SHOUT - THE MILLIONS WAS NOT ALL MAGICAL
By Robert Heathcote | Thursday, January 17, 2013
Robert Heathcote is the leading racehorse trainer in Brisbane. 'Rob's Shout' - the personal blog of the multi-premiership and Group 1 winning trainer will appear every Thursday on HRO.
Hello again.
Wasn't it fantastic to see the local horses take it right up to the southerners in our own back yard with three local victories on Magic Millions day.
Real Surreal has been a fantastic 'home-made good news story' winning the feature.
From originally missing the noms the previous week, then getting a run as the 4th emergency or so and then winning at Eagle Farm to scrape into the Magic Millions field and then have the real nice guy of Queensland racing, Michael Cahill, produce a gem to get the filly home … I guess it was just meant to be. Congratulations to all concerned.
Jason McLachlan and Damian Browne were also in the spotlight with Saluter 'saluting' in the Three-Year-Old Guineas. Well done fellas and a fair reward for a some good guys in Rob Slade and his team! Congratulations.
**********************************************************************************************
My stable had a fair day with the stable war horse, Gundy Son running a brave second placing in the MM Cup and picking up a nice cheque of 60 grand … and Show Affection just went down in a thriller to round out the day.
As far as my feature runners were concerned, Greytfilly has done a super job this prep and she clearly possesses enormous ability but, as I had publicly stated, I feared her reluctance to pick up the bit and run from the gates was her way of telling us that she needed a good break. She can be a superstar if she is handled correctly and patiently.
The same I guess with Heza Jetsetter who came from winning a maiden this prep, all the way to a million dollar race and yes, he also was looking for a break and that's where they both now are, in the spelling paddock.
*********************************************************************************************
I was at the Magic Millions a year ago and I said at the time it was one of the most unpleasant days I have ever had at a race meeting!
Sadly, that has been surpassed by the experiences of this year and if were not for me doing my job as a racehorse trainer, I would not have been attending this year.
For all the hype and pampering of celebrities, mutual back-slapping and the trumpeting of success, from what I experienced again this year, it is absolutely clear that more attention must be paid to the needs, and basic they are, of the industries core participants.
It surely would be reasonable for race club officials to recognize the role played by the likes of trainers and their staff … people who are among those who are responsible for keeping the show on the road … and to treat them accordingly.
I highlighted last year the pathetic TV which is placed in the stabling area for trainers and staff and some owners to view not only the local races but also the feature race meeting in Sydney and Melbourne and also the meeting at Eagle Farm where I had a number of runners.
Guess what, it is still the same TV with static and poor audio making it virtually impossible to see or hear a race transmitted from another venue!
To get to another TV, it was a 'S#^* Fight' to push through to the betting ring area just to watch a race. Surely the club is not doing it so tough financially that they cannot put in a plasma with some audio available to replace the current inadequate offering.
How difficult can it be to fix this problem?
**********************************************************************************************
The dissatisfaction didn’t stop there.
After once again being refused cold drinks and food for my staff by the local canteen lady, which was
insulting, I went to the usual food service area and yes, the line was 150 long. There was one cashier in operation the entire day. The line-up for food and drinks here was at least 100 for the entire day with a lot of hungry and disgruntled race goers.
Appalling treatment, not only of participants, but also of the race day patrons!
What's wrong with having several mobile food vending outlets, even if they had to be subcontracted
out. The club gets the big gig once or twice a year so maybe they should seek advice from clubs that are more experienced at handling large crowds.
There has to be a solution as we are in an industry which is usually struggling to attract a good crowd and when the opportunity is here, it’s met with amateurish organisation.
I have long said that the basics must be met, provide a food service, a drinks service, a place to sit and be able to watch and listen to the races. No wonder so many people stay at home these days and do not go to the race tracks.
**********************************************************************************************
In the mounting enclosure owners asked me where we can watch the race from. The big screen TVs were a positive addition but it was extremely hot in the sun.
We were told the door to the corridor through to the betting room was closed and we had to push our way through the crowd to the makeshift owners and trainers area under the stand. This was only attempted the once!
As John O'Shea said to me later in disgust, this is the worst treatment he has ever seen for owners and trainers anywhere he has raced.
Yes, there were a lot of upset racing participants. It needed a more professional approach to crowd catering in particular, but just some attention to the little things that matter to make the day bearable would be a positive.
**********************************************************************************************
Get the picture.
The one I’m painting is far removed from the hype of the sales or the benefit to Magic Millions brand brings to Queensland. They are different issues … and I certainly acknowledge all the good that is done on the one hand … but each issue mentioned is equally as real as the other.
In reality, I don’t really have to time or the inclination to put the boot into bad service. I want to promote racing not ridicule it, but if these shortcomings are not pointed out there will be no improvement.
But then again, even pointing them out gives no guarantee of a positive response. Seems like only lip-service was provided with regard to my observations from year … and none of the promised action.
There will be those who disagree with what I have had to say and some will be offended at my comments but I can only tell it as I experienced it. With literally millions about to be spent on a much needed upgrade of the Gold Coast facilities, I do hope more effort is made for their feature day next year.
I do not profess to being an expert in crowd management and venue coordination but I am sure there are those who are and their advice should be sought so that the club can get it right.
They didn't this year!
Cheers,
Robert
View article on related subject
2013 will be a watershed year for racing in Queensland
More articles
|