Ashburton’s crowning Jewel needs support
Ashburton will host its sixth Harness Jewels in 2017 but there are no guarantees past that point.
Harness Racing New Zealand (HRNZ) has hinted it will extend Ashburton’s hosting rights but it is yet to be confirmed and others are interested.
Many factors will be taken into consideration. But when it comes to facilities, location and track, noone else in the South Island can compete and one punter on Saturday overheard telling his companion what makes Jewels day great summed it up perfectly.
‘‘Everybody that is here today are true fans of harness racing. People aren’t here for a party, they are here to watch all the best horses.’’
In an ideal world he could not be more right with his obvious comparison to New Zealand Cup day at Addington.
‘‘You don’t get the drunken yobbos here,’’ he continued. But the competition is sniffing. Addington is a no-go given nobody wants to start the mile on the bend. Forbury Park means much more travel for 90 per cent of the competitors and spectators.
Nelson sounds idyllic but it’s hard to imagine it working.
And HRNZ should at least be applauded for creating the Jewels concept but has it developed enough to become something that will get people excited in 25 years time? Much effort went into marketing the event, but how much it penetrated the mainstream sports market is highly debatable.
One would hope HRNZ pestered All Blacks Kieran Read and Andy Ellisto name drop how much they were looking forward to the Jewels with their trotter Speeding Spur.
The same could be said for Sam Whitelock who is often seen at Addington when his parents, Braeden and Caroline, have horses racing.
One mention on prime time rugby is worth countless hours of advertising on-course or on Trackside.
Every school in the Mid- Canterbury area should have been visited in the leadup and given a horse to support in one particular race with the racing board organising a donation of sports equipment for the winning school.
Create interest for children and they will pester their parents to go.
The $10 entry fee is a bargain to see talent on show but for families with little knowledge of racing it means $25 to enter with a racebook before the the kids are asking for food and drink or a bet is placed.
It may not be viable to reduce the general admission price but a discussion needs to be had in a bid to attract more families.
In a great sign for the Jewels’ future, all of the hospitality areas sold out well before the event, but the general admission was not something that would have excited HRNZ or the Ashburton club.
The next Jewels will be crucial to Ashburton’s continued association with it.
So roll on 2017 and make sure it’s not Mid Canterbury’s last.