MY CALL: LOOKING AT THE BOLD DECISION TO ABANDON THE SYDNEY CUP FROM ANOTHER ANGLE
By David Fowler | Tuesday, April 11, 2017
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.
I wonder if two events an hour and a half apart prompted the call to halt and ultimately abandon the Sydney Cup.
Many considered the stewards' call to be bold and unprecedented, obviously magnified in attention by its Group 1 status and prizemoney purse of $2 million.
Several jockeys were also critical on the call.
The fallen Almoonqith had no hope of getting up, it was parked hard against the running rail and it was 100 metres after the winning post.
The best jockeys in the land would clearly have avoided any safety dramas.
Yet only 90 minutes earlier Darren Jones lost his life at Warialda in a three horse fall.
Food for thought.
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You have to actually be there to appreciate the pulling power of Winx.
Excitement normally begins at the race jump but Winx creates the atmosphere when she arrives at the track.
Whether it's her raceday stall, the pre-parade or the parade to the barrier, crowds were six and seven deep admit a sea of blue and white flags and hats.
Wonderful theatre at a majestic track and that's all before the race.
The acknowledgment of her expected victory was a sight to behold.
It's important to enjoy it because nothing lasts forever.
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The Championships were outstanding racedays.
Let's not also forget Chautauqua's magical finishing burst to claim a third T.J.Smith.
But reality has to kick in. Attendances on both days were 20,000 and 26,000.
And that's with perfect weather.
If such figures were posted at Melbourne's Spring Carnival, many heads would roll.
The Championships are set in stone but will never threaten Melbourne's signature week.
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The Inglis Easter sale produced booming results and big headlines.
But I'm always amused when I hear the line " the success of the sale is a great barometer to the buoyancy of the racing industry"
Really?
A wealth return to the breeding industry would certainly be a more accurate appraisal.
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Two questions to end on?
Why is the starting time of first race at the Sunshine Coast tomorrow at 2:20 and the last race at 6:40 ?
Why is the Easter Monday south-east Queensland meeting at Warwick ?
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