Action needed to address issue of falling attendances
FALLING attendances at racecourses are being reported across the board, and it’s a tough problem to overcome because there are so many reasons for it; cost of living increases, the fact that some people are still wary of going out post-Covid, small fields arising from the long mainly dry spell most of the country has had this year and that old chestnut, too much racing.
Some problems have been selfinflicted. Earlier in the week Windsor announced that they had scrapped the ludicrous arrangement introduced at their first two Monday evening meetings whereby the vast majority of racegoers would have no access to the parade ring.
Only those who paid £35 to enter the newly-created Jubilee Enclosure were able to see the horses before they went down to the start. Happily, good sense has now prevailed and the parade ring will now be accessible, as it always used to be, at a more realistic £25.
The day before this week’s Thursday evening meeting at Fontwell they announced that they would compensate racegoers who booked in advance for the lack of declared runners on the card – 36 in seven races, subject to further withdrawals on the day. The redress takes the form of a complimentary ticket to a future race meeting. That’s a welcome initiative, although chances are it won’t be very costly as few people will have pre-booked; they had an evening meeting only last week.
Field sizes can be improved by going back to six races per meeting, which used to be the standard. Media payments complicate the financial equation, but basically courses need eight or more runners in each race to maximise their income. In the short-term at least, the answer is to run more low-grade races, which will get bigger fields. That reflects the ability of most of the horse population.
The three lowest grade races at Worcester on Wednesday fielded 10, 10 and 16 runners. At Perth, 11, 13, five and 13. Newton Abbot, eight, 11 and 13. Bath nine, five, eight, 11 and 13. Perfectly adequate numbers.
Otherwise, put up better prize money – which may be easier said than done – but York was able to attract 11, 22, 11 and 13 to their handicaps on Wednesday.
At least the Oaks looks much clearer now thanks to Emily Upjohn’s emphatic win in the Musidora Stakes at York, achieved despite her disliking the soft ground.
The only possible negatives about her are that she might not handle the course and the possibility of getting upset in the preliminaries, having shown a little edginess at York.
A trial gallop round Tattenham Corner on the 23rd will address the first question.
Newbury’s Group One mile race tomorrow, the Lockinge, looks straightforward for the excellent Baaeed, who was unbeaten in six races last year. In June he won a Leicester maiden, and by the end of his winning streak four months later he earned a rating of 125 by winning the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes.
The lightly-raced New Mandate is a sporting selection for the forecast or a place bet.