JC / Railbird

International Archive

Needed: Young Bettors

Saying the “current customer pool had just about reached its betting limit,” New Zealand racing board chairman Warren Larsen told delegates to the New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing annual meeting that racing needs young fans and it needs them now. No surprise — young people surveyed by the board expressed distaste for the seedy atmosphere of betting outlets, an irritation at the lack of information on betting, and wanted to see better food service and improved facilities (Otago Daily Times).

Comment: It’s not just the youth of New Zealand who feel this way. I think of the amenities at Suffolk, and other tracks I’ve visited recently, such as Belmont and Bay Meadows, and what comes to mind is the cavernous concrete architecture and the sad little concession stands dominated by hot dogs and cheap beer of each. Ok, the hot dogs aren’t bad … but it would be wonderful to see improvements in the form of better food and more choices and a nicer environment in which to eat and drink, and why not get a franchise or two to set up shop in the grandstand? There have been so many afternoons where I’ve longed to sip a Frappuccino while perusing that day’s Form.

Posted in International, The Sport on July 12, 2004

A Yankee at Ascot

“Monsieur Bond catches my eye, not enough to guarantee a bet, but enough to look closely at a stray note in the form guide — ‘Has enough class, but a little rain might help.’ Apparently, his père was a mudder, and his mère was a mudder. As if on cue, dark clouds roll in, and it starts to drizzle. Ah, a sign from M (or perhaps Q)! A tenner to win on Le 007 and spread bets on the other two” (Slate).

Posted in International on July 5, 2004