Summary of Grand Heritage day

Over the Air wrote: There seems to be widespread apathy when it comes to the Vaal. Phumelela seem to treat that place like a brother in jail, you keep it hidden at all costs. I was racing yesterday and one of the guys who had horses stabled at the Vaal told me that the Vaal trainers were the success story of the Emerald Cup. They organised all sorts of activities, got owners to support the day, and grew the event to the (partial) success story it became.

Warren Laird wrote: The only thing that comes to my mind when reading the views on the site on Grand Heritage Day is - Such A Shame - from the English Band Talk Talk 1984 

They say we should not live in the past and embrace the future , however I find it very difficult not to when I see the demise of our sport. 

From a quick summary and what I was able to observe was the following - 

The track although to wide was in very good condition after its break . Well done to the track management.  

The race programme was mediocre to say the best . Having 3 Maiden races , and 2 60 's handicap races out of 10 can only be described as mediocre.  

Attendance on the day -  no comment that's all I can say. 

Tote Pools - Below expectation nearly every expected target vs actual was no where near achieved when you look at it in a percentage view. Not close enough even with the carry overs . I believe the tote had problems during the day and was off line for some part of the day. 

Horses -  personally I thought the horses were looking good for this time of the year . Trainers did a great job with the presentation of them . Coats looked good and all looks good for the season. 

Sponsorship of the day - Poor , one main sponsorship WSB  - God bless their Souls - as they always seem to be roped in by the opperators when there is no sponsor or the previous sponsorship is not renewed.  However I question their efforts on days like this, as I am yet to see a very successful race day experience anywhere in the country when they are the main sponsors.  When I compare the efforts of sponsors say in the Western Cape during the summer months,  the lack of enthusiasm by World Sports Betting is badly exposed. 

The Opperators - Responsible with the sponsor to put on the show - a very lack luster effort to say the least.  I already had the prospective on the day when the final field was announced on TT by Clyde Basel when he stated " we encourage everyone to bring their meat and we will supply the braai facilities " I then knew that not much effort was being put into this  day. Just his body language on the television  said it all. If I was part of the World Sports Betting management on Monday I would be asking,  Did we get bang for our buck on the day . The answer would be a no we did not. World Sports Betting must be a very successful company behind the scenes that they tolerate mediocrity. 

So in summary - is Horse Racing on the up or are we going backwards?  - the answer is as clear as daylight.  

Perhaps our Friend - Don 

Can give us an oppinion on the day. 

What will be spun at the next meeting with the opperators, on what is wrong with the current situation? 

What are the thoughts of Racing It's a Rush as to a summary of the day ? 

Or do i just have a negative outlook and the day  was a great success and superceded all expectations.  You know that story we are always told .