MY CALL - DEMONSTRATIONS. WHAT DEMONSTRATIONS?

By David Fowler | Tuesday, July 8, 2014

David Fowler is the principal thoroughbred caller for Radio TAB. David, who is a keen form student and punter, has enjoyed a lifetime involvement in the racing media. His personal blog, ‘My Call’, appears exclusively on HRO.

Ponder this for a moment … what would happen if there was an old fashioned noisy demonstration at Eagle Farm or Doomben next Saturday?

If the even money favourite was "slaughtered" and the punters lined the fence six deep yelling obscenities, how would it be dealt with?

Older readers will indeed ponder on my hypothetical but those short of 30 years will say "what demonstration?"

I can remember the "demos" as a kid in the seventies, revelling in the punters' right to shout out loud. They were granted the privilege because they paid their way in. Fair enough, I say.

It was often pure theatre as a side-act to the main event.

But a racetrack is a microcosm of society and the liberties we were allowed in days gone by are regularly being snatched away from us.

Ask yourself another question. When did the demonstrations stop? I can't put a precise date on it.

And why did they stop? Did we become more politically correct at the track like we have in our Monday to Friday life-styles.

Not that we all like this "better" way to behave but its thrust is so powerful it's hard not to ignore or repel, for that matter.

A racetrack "demo" of yesteryear started with one or two hecklers which encouraged a chorus of voices to follow suit.

If one started now there wouldn't be the numbers to back her or him up … and then security would move in and take her or him off the course for arrest or counselling.

The mainstream media would play it down because "that's a bad look for racing."

Ah yes, a racetrack of today is no different to any other social gathering in this great country.

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Seriously, if certain scribes don't stop banging on that our prize-money levels will still not be on par with New South Wales or Victoria, I might not be responsible for my actions.

I have worked with two of the main protagonists of this view at various stages of my career and more than respect their abilities … but pedalling such nonsense is beyond the pale.

Queensland is not New South Wales. Queensland is not Victoria. Go to one of the simplest forms of comparison and check out real estate values if you don't believe me.

These two states lead the way in racing and most other things for that matter. It's Australia's "big end of town" and to try and match them is foolhardy … let alone to think we can do it.

Sure, we need respectable prize-money to be within their reach but the main focus is for our prize-money to be "sustainable" to meet the needs of all concerned.

And they seem to lose sight that racing a horse is a personal choice and, generally, a luxury.

Do they honestly think most people go into ownership bargaining on a profit?

But this mischievous raising of the bar heightens the expectations of those who believe it can actually happen.

It never was and never will be.

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Brisbane Racing Club's "sixth day" of the Winter Carnival is developing well.

While best known for their five big gun days in May and June, the early July fixture has potential for the BRC that is already being eked out.

The bMag Teddy Bears picnic for the families on the St Leger lawn was an outstanding success with the huge attendance being ample proof.

Importantly, mum and dad and the kids can enjoy the racetrack atmosphere in their own environment without any hustle or bustle from outside.

A two mile race always has appeal and with the Astro Avalanche hype plus a capacity field, the Queensland Cup delivered a good result for the club.

And the $100,000 maiden is growing in stature, particularly with trainers of above-average two-year-olds beginning to eye the purse as we saw on Saturday with the trifecta result.

And as a previous winning owner of the Ascot Handicap, it serves as a great "last chance saloon" opportunity for the open class sprinters.

BRC has never expected a lot from this meeting but they are more than justified in raising the bar just a little from now.

Till next week.

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