Nom De plume today for me.

The “halcyon days” when huge crowds turned up for race meetings are gone and they aren’t coming back.  It’s nice to remember 250,000 at Epsom for Derby Day but many of those were on the Hill, paid nothing, spent nothing and had a few low price bets. Racecourse economics are as much about per head spend than numbers through the gates - if you spend $100 on food and drink and have $150 worth of bets the course will love you but you’re still one person. As for Kumara, presumably we know (or the club will know) how many paid the $20 admission - that’s your crowd - but I presume kids go in for nothing (they do in the UK). It would be nice to see these numbers published so we have some proper data rather than tv pictures which can be misleading - a big crowd in a small place can be the same size as a small crowd in a big place. We also don’t know what people spent but I imagine the on course bars and catering did pretty well.

Sure would WD. 20,000+ twenty years ago….

Before Mrs Stodge drags me down to Mega 10 (the breakfast is decent) a few thoughts on today’s cards. Trentham has the quality racing to a point and the Wellington Cup is one of those rarities over here - a proper staying race. Explain one of those to an American and see how far you get - they think 2400m is a marathon. Wingatui, however, is what I call a Beefeater meeting - very small stakes (if you didn’t live in Britain in the 1970s that will mean nothing). It’s one of those chewy cards the each way thieves love. My sacrificial offerings for today’s feast: Trentham: 12.30: DOCTOR ASGAR 1.02: KOMOCEAN 3.28: LEICA LUCY 5.11: ARBY (each way) 5.47: BRIDAL TRAIN Wingatui: 12.45: SHOW PONY 1.18: OFF TO TNE NUNNERY  

I use Express VPN… have no issues…. I live in Sydney…. Bet and follow NZ racing….

Due to the temperatures projected to be moving through the region in the coming week, Mahoning Valley Race Course has canceled its live racing programs originally scheduled for Jan. 20 and Jan. 21. View the full article

There are new names on the roll of honor for the Jan. 17 Cape Verdi Stakes (G2T) after Choisya upset favorite Romantic Style.View the full article

That would surely be well down on the halcyon days wouldn't it? And probably even less than Kumara last weekend.

Brad Taylor says they are expecting around 7000 at Trentham for Cup Day today.

None right now Blaird. Missed the start by 6 and no hope after that.  Reasonable in at Wyong today so hoping for better luck there.   Just heard Wyong abandoned, that’s three times in two weeks.

Low interest these days but still and intriguing race....we have the quite good form from aus and then about 5/6 reasonable middle distance NZ horses.  I quite like Ess Vee Are, Beavertown B and crazily enough Apache Anne.  Wide open in my view. You could put six into a trifecta and fund second place only....

Four-time group 1 winner Designs On Rome has died following a bout of colic at the age of 15.View the full article

Santa Anita Park employees jumped in to serve food to Los Angeles County fire victims, and the racetrack donated its food originally slated for weekend racing to victims, backstretch workers, the National Guard, and firefighters.View the full article

Back in those days there was a huge media build up and a massive amount bet on the Wellington Cup. The Auckland and Wellington Cups were the two biggest races of the year and interest would be further heightened after the running of the Auckland Cup leading into The Wellington Cup. Most workplaces would have run a sweepstake on The Cup.   

Santa Anita employees jumped in to serve food to Los Angeles County fire victims, and the racetrack donated its food originally slated for weekend racing to victims, backstretch workers, the National Guard, and firefighters.View the full article

The 2024 Longines World Racing Awards ceremony, which will be held Jan. 21, will be available via live stream. View the full article

This year's race meet, which runs through Sept. 14, will feature 51 total stakes, including nine graded events, and 11 stakes restricted to New Jersey-bred horses.View the full article

Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots will serve up a crowded edition of the Lecomte Stakes (G3) to quickly shift into gear as the 42-point qualifying races in the Road to the Kentucky Derby get started.View the full article

Did you kiwis see Swayzee at Tamworth… Our local hero….250k bonus already in the bank…. Will he win the next two Country cups…. 1 million bonus up for grabs……

Good luck Ohokaman