Racing Opinion: Even SD admits racing had a good Saturday!

In his latest Odds Now column, Races Now’s Stephen Darbyshire is in unusually upbeat mood after a stellar weekend of action…

Credit where it’s due…

I should probably start with an apology.

Not to anyone in particular, just to racing.

I spend a fair amount of time highlighting where the sport gets things wrong. Admission prices, scheduling, field sizes, race planning… if there’s something to grumble about, there’s every chance I’ve already had a go at it. My glass isn’t half empty; I’m usually asking why someone hasn’t washed it properly.

So it’s only fair that when racing produces a Saturday like this, I say so.

Admirable from Ascot

Ascot got it absolutely right.

For £35, racegoers witnessed arguably the race of the year. The King George had international challengers, proper stars, a fantastic atmosphere and Kalpana stamping her class on one of the sport’s biggest prizes. If somebody had never been racing before, that’s about as good an advert as you could wish for.

The supporting card wasn’t exactly there to make up the numbers either. I particularly enjoyed Ryan Moore’s ride on Kon Tiki.

The pace wasn’t especially strong and Ryan realised that almost immediately. Rather than dropping out and hoping the race would somehow fall into his lap, he kept Kon Tiki prominently positioned throughout. By the time others started making their moves, he already had first run. It wasn’t a ride full of theatrics; it was simply excellent race-reading from one of the very best.

It’s funny how every punter becomes an expert once the race is over though, isn’t it?

“I’d have ridden it like that”. No, you wouldn’t, Dave. You’d have been shouting at Ryan Moore from the stands with a pie in one hand and a losing betting slip in the other.

The weather even behaved itself. That alone deserves a mention. Sunshine at a major British race meeting is still treated as though someone has spotted a unicorn.

Ascot itself looked magnificent. The paddock was awash with colourful flowers and looked every inch the centrepiece of one of Britain’s great sporting occasions.

Between races, it was worth standing there for a few minutes simply taking it all in. Even hardened racegoers, who normally spend half the afternoon staring at a racecard searching for a 20/1 winner, couldn’t fail to appreciate just how good the place looked.

Cowboy night lights up Lingfield

Then came one of the great joys of British racing. Barely an hour later, it was into the car and off to Lingfield for Cowboy Night.

That’s the beauty of this sport. One minute you’re watching one of the world’s greatest middle-distance races. The next you’re surrounded by cowboy hats in Surrey wondering if you’ve accidentally driven through a portal and ended up somewhere near Nashville.

Lingfield deserves enormous credit, too. The At The Races free-ticket promotion was a cracking idea and the racecourse had a tremendous atmosphere because of it.

Funny that. Offer people free admission and they actually turn up. Racing can sometimes spend years searching for complicated answers before remembering common sense has been sitting quietly in the corner all along.

The place was buzzing. Families everywhere, queues at the bars, plenty of newcomers and people staying behind after racing because they were enjoying themselves rather than sprinting back to the car before everyone else.

On the track, It Dunt Marra looked a very good horse. He travelled strongly, quickened smartly and won with plenty in hand. He looks the type who can continue climbing the ladder and he’s certainly one to keep onside wherever he goes next.

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Variety is the spice of life

What Saturday reminded me more than anything is that British racing doesn’t need to be the same everywhere.

Ascot delivered world-class sport.

Lingfield delivered a brilliant evening’s entertainment.

Both succeeded because they knew exactly what they were trying to be.

Not every meeting has to stage a championship race. Not every meeting needs country music and cowboy hats. The variety is one of racing’s greatest strengths and Saturday showcased both ends of the spectrum perfectly.

Perhaps that’s the biggest takeaway.

Ascot showcased world-class racing in glorious surroundings, while Lingfield proved that sensible pricing, good promotion and a fun theme can attract a cracking crowd. The sport often ties itself in knots trying to reinvent the wheel. Sometimes the answer is much simpler. Put on a good show, charge a fair price, market it properly and, if possible, persuade the weather to cooperate.

As for me, I’ll undoubtedly be back moaning about something before long. It would feel unnatural not to. There’ll be a photo finish, a steward’s enquiry or a £9 cup of tea somewhere that gets me going.

But after a Saturday like this, even I have to admit British racing got an awful lot right. Well done.

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