In this week’s column I am going to give readers a look at New Zealand Cup week from my perspective, writes Jonny Turner.
Here are 10 things I have noticed ahead of the final two days of the 2017 edition.
• This year enforced what most already know — racing needs champions.
They draw big crowds because they pull on the heartstrings.
Lazarus sent emotions to a fever pitch with his emphatic New Zealand Cup win; the crowd’s roar as he paced to victory was simply amazing.
• South Island galloping trainers have had a massive Cup week.
So often, North Island raiders come down and pillage the southern riches, but not this year.
Sure, they have got their fill, especially in the big races, but plenty of wins have gone to horses from Christchurch and further south.
• Tradition is still alive. Cup and show week was a massively important part of the lives of people from Otago and Southland, especially decades ago.
It is a hugely anticipated social tradition for Southerners to make a point of going to each year. By the look of who has been seen enjoying themselves in Christchurch this year, that is very much still alive.
• Comparing the two horse-racing codes is generally a fruitless exercise, but when the best of both are on show, hey, why not.
I give the win so far to the harness code: sure, Lazarus helps, but overall I think the trots have had the more exciting racing. But there are two days to go and that could turn around.
• Yesterday’s Ashburton harness meeting was a Cup week low-light and it needs drastic improvement.
The fields were generally poor and the racing was bordering on boring.I would like to see the industry, not just the Ashburton club, work to lift this race day. Let’s see some mid-week feature racing there like we do at Riccarton on the Wednesday of Cup week.
• Reports that Addington had bumper numbers on Tuesday did not wash with me. There were also plenty of vacant seats at Riccarton on Wednesday. Numbers have not been drastic, but they have certainly not been record-breaking.
• Cup week reveals the most astute trainers. How many times do you hear the words "I should have backed that" as you overhear punters at Cup week?One reason is that the best trainers will get their horses to peak on the big days. That has been evident again this year.
• Our country’s horse people are not only astute, but gee, they work hard.It’s nothing new, but it’s worth noting again.
The dedication trainers and drivers and stable staff show in presenting their horses for these races and then getting them home and looking after all of their other stock is phenomenal.I hope next week they get a chance for a well-earned breather.
• From what I can tell, so far, most of the crowds have been pretty well behaved. Though there is no shortage of people of all ages getting drunk early on and letting everything hang out of their once neatly perfected outfits.
But those scenes are countered by a nanny-like culture of dozens of security guards and people handing out water and the like.
• So far, Otago trainers have had an unlucky Cup week. Our thoroughbreds have been weighted out of most of their races. For instance, Patrick Erin, the winner of just three handicap races, carried just one kilo less than six-time group race winner Nashville. Our harness star was luckless in the New Zealand Cup. Let’s hope the province’s luck changes for the last two days.
Enjoy the brilliant racing.
Happy trails.
