It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year.
Decent song that, but the bloke who wrote it was just a few days out.
While Christmas is a wonderful time to catch up with family and friends you can make a decent case that the post-Christmas racing circuit is even better.
That is because you can do all of your favourite Christmas things, like sitting in the sun, eating and drinking too much, catching up on old times. It’s just you have the added bonus of some of the most picturesque racecourses the South has to offer holding epic equine clashes, as well as the chance to make your fortune. So, to steal a phrase from commentator George Simon, let’s bring it on!
It is time to get serious. Otago is set to unleash a racing experience that only the tough will survive.
It all starts today as Kurow plays host to the start of a week-long feast of quality summer racing.
Sure, we get a day off tomorrow, but don’t be fooled, it is not for bringing in the new year. It is a dedicated window, to study the form. Or in the case of trainers, drivers and jockeys a chance to refresh, if only for a few hours in the afternoon.
The hours this lot have given up over their holidays will rack up into the hundreds. Here’s hoping at some stage over the next few days, or possibly after the silly season is over, they get a chance for a well-earned breather.
Another crew who will be getting a deserved rest tomorrow are the hard-working Trackside broadcast crews. I have got a closer look at what they do since starting in this role and it is impressive. They’re at the course before everyone and leave after most are well on their way home, only to drive into the night to do it again hundreds of kilometres away at whatever gallops, trots or dog meeting is on the next day.
Now, back to the punters, racing fans or whatever you call yourselves.
Let me tell you your absolute key to success this holiday race season. Preparation.
Your whole racing experience — and I am not just referring to finances here — can be directly correlated to your preparation. Here is my advice, for what it is worth.
Do leave in plenty of time for the meeting. That will get you the best vantage point.
Do pack the car with everything you need, refreshments, umbrellas, chairs, sunscreen, water, you name it.
Do have a plan for your bets, do your study and get them on early. Put them all on at once: just don’t end up at the back of a 20-person long queue, one minute out from race start time.
Do have a safe option to get you home, not just someone who is sober, but someone who can show a bit of patience on the busy Otago roads.
Of course, your other option is to listen to none of that, but I reckon once you turn up late and are parked in some back paddock and miss getting your bets on you might think my advice is not too bad.
Turner Into Gold
Last week, we got job done, with Marcoola and Chase The Dream. Some may have called it a Christmas miracle.
There are plenty to chose from this week, but I have managed to narrow them down to one.
Flashing On in Race 9 at Omakau looks the goods to me.
Happy trails.
