WA isn't the only state with unhappy members...

hash · June 2013

you'll love this one Falc.....

http://m.heraldsun.com.au/sport/superracing/from-jeans-to-jean-its-sheer-madness-at-a-barren-flemington-racecourse/story-fnibcgg5-1226668122641

DEAR Victoria Racing Club

You are a joke, a stick in the mud spiralling through a time warp.

And yes, I am talking through my un-tailored "kick".

I attended the races yesterday because I had to. Few go to the races in winter, not on days as cold as yesterday, where the vast flatness of Flemington makes it as appealing as a day at the gulag.

I wore nice black pants that cost me about $80. A gate nark described them as jeans. If these black dacks were jeans, then Black Caviar is a steeplechaser.

I wore shiny black shoes, a nice new blue jumper, a nice tie, a nice business shirt and a winter overcoat that was a bit crumpled but, hey, I'm not George Hamilton.

I approached the entrance to the members' enclosure and was advised by the gatekeeper that I was inappropriately dressed.

The jeans, she said.

I slunk off to the raceday office to seek a special black "jeans" clearance.

The young bloke behind the desk frowned, saying he'd have to make a phone call. A few minutes later a friendly woman handed me a special clearance card and escorted me to the gatekeeper.

"I'd better come with you, just in case she thinks it's a fake. It (faking approval slips) happens," she said.

"No wonder no one comes to the races any more," I huffed back.

A mate in the press room later related a similar "you're a joke, Flemington" tale.

He said he went to the members' bar last spring with a leading trainer and ordered two beers. A nark spied his media pass and told him that if he didn't un-order the beers she'd call security.

Working media, even those employed not by the VRC but by Rupert Murdoch or someone else, are not allowed to have a beer at Flemington, apparently, in case they get sloshed and remove their tailored pants.

I checked out the long list of "not acceptables" on the Flemington dress code.

I already knew bright, colourful suits were out because two gay blokes complained to me two years ago that they'd been booted from the members' for being too bright.

Shoes without socks are out. Leading owner John O'Neil never wears socks because he reckons they're a bad omen. Lucky for him, the style police have never cast their eyes towards his ankles.

"Designer" tears are out, as are golf and yachting waterproofs, waist-length jackets, including leather, and kilts.

The Duke of Edinburgh might welcome an American president to Balmoral in a kilt, but he can't have a beer in a Flemington members' bar in one (especially not in the company of a reporter).

So, yes Flemington, you are a spiralling stick in the mud and you have been since you tried to entice spunky Jean Shrimpton to cover her gloriously naked legs.

You should be relaxing with the times, trying anything and everything to lure people back to the track and away from the footy (where duffle coats are encouraged), yet you carry on like a pack of 1950s' snobs.

By the way, I saw a tumbleweed bounce through the members' enclosure yesterday. Where was its tailored suit?

thefalcon · June 2013

ffs don't let PR see that...lol

RIO · June 2013

It's not just restricted to Flemington.We were denied at Moonee Valley last year, for not having ties that were deemed suitable...Two of the party of 4 had borrowed ties as they weren't aware they had to wear them, and they didn't match the jacket and shirts they had too well. The gate keeper did say they normally have suitable ties there for day use, but they had all been taken.

Got the feeling they just didn't want us there...Will test it again in about a months time..

Sometimes it appears they are more worried about WHO is attending and not how many.. Great letter

Carlosa · June 2013

That is disgusting Rio; what is wrong with these elitists?!

thefalcon · June 2013

after reading the above i must admit we are not in their league and should be somewhat grateful.

DamienWyer · June 2013

When I first asked about joining the AJC back in the early 80's, I was told that my nomination would have to be by someone of 20 years standing as a Member, who had known me personally for at least 5 years. When they were informed that I was a serving member of the RAAF, they didn't like the fact that I was only an airman and not on officer.

So didnt take me long to make a decision. Idiots.

Semipropunter · June 2013

All members are snobs I don't see the need to make a distinction. If you don't like the dresscode, there's plenty of room with the rest of us plebs

8-}

AndrewCarter · June 2013

Racing administrators, need I say any more, these are the same idiots who still think its a bright idea to charge entry to a racecourse, I rest my case.

bookielover · June 2013

The more things change, the more they stay the same, is a saying perfectly suited to the dolts that run the various race clubs. Over a 40 year period that I attended the races in Melbourne as a member, I can count on the fingers of one hand, the number of committee men that actually bothered to leave the committee room and meander down to the betting ring where they could meet the members and get some feedback as to their needs and suggestions for the betterment of the racing experience.

God forbid that even if you got the odd committee man to leave the confines of the committee room, that the committee man would EVER wander into the public betting ring to get some feedback from the average punter.

Back to my opening sentence. Is it just us posters on this forum that understand how much racing has changed in the last 40 years? Sky channel and TVN into the home, betting to the jump, payouts immediately after correct weight, Corporate Bookmakers, broadcast and availability of the bookies odds PRIOR to the running of a race.Phone and internet betting for on course bookies and the lifting of restrictions from those bookies in some States to bet best of tote odds.

W.A. are still in the dark ages on that one.

Yet with all these changes, nothing has changed. Andrew C says they still charge for entry. How Fkn ridiculous is that. By all means, charge for the main meetings, but for an ordinary Saturday, throw the gates open.Race clubs get a larger dividend out of every dollar invested on course with the tote, than they do from what is invested off course. Encourage punters to come to the track with free entry. Lower food prices and drink prices.

And here is a novel idea. How about issuing a card to people who come every Saturday or Mid-week to the races, even if it's free entry. The card gets stamped upon entry. You go to 30 meetings, either Saturday or Mid-week, and this gives you one free entry for Perth cup day.

The club would more than get the entry fee for the Perth cup out of the punter, by what they put through the on course tote and bookies and by what they spend on food and drink on course.

Can't do that though, because you might actually get a few more people coming to a race meeting. And that's just not on.

RIO · June 2013

i think a punter has to bet $80 for the club to recover the cost of entry on a Satruday. I can recall (not sure if it is accurate) that the club gets about 15% of all bets placed on course...So put that with the profit from a few drinks and a bit of food and it is very easy to recover the entry cost.... and if it increases the attendnce by 10%..I'd suggest most clubs would be well in front.

A 2 month trial supported by their online FB and other medium advertising(low cost) would be the ideal way to gauge if it is advantageous or not....

AndrewCarter · June 2013

Not to mention not having to pay gate staff.

LuckyLongshots · June 2013

I have no issue with members having to dress well, but they have to allow for modern styles!

It ain't 1970 anymore, although you wouldn't know by attending the members area :))

paraletic · June 2013

the only downside to throwing the gates open every saturday is getting people to pay to attend the races on the big days. People will get used to it being free so paying entry of 30 odd dollars on super sat will keep the people away imo.

Tesseract · June 2013

sounds very elitists ! a place for snobs.

bookielover · June 2013

Paraletic, admission to today's Sandown mid week meeting and all Sandown midweeks are free.

It doesn't stop 15000 punters paying $35.00 to go on Sandown cup day. Also they have thrown open the members section downstairs where all the bookies are, there are 17 working there today, to the general public. I don't know how many extra punters go because of the free admission, but they would get absolutely no one if they were charging $12.00.

Also, they have at last realised that if a punter can be bothered going in Winter, then give him/her the benefit of all available facilities by throwing open the members area.

You would still get 20-25 thousand people paying admission to go to Ascot on Melbourne cup day and the other big meetings held there.

Brubaker · July 2013

Andrew Carter said:

Not to mention not having to pay gate staff.

Still got to have someone watching the dress standards
:)

thefalcon · July 2013

normally only gents, bru.

saw a boxer, not danny up there in a skin tight t-shirt..probably gucci but what the pharque.

rules for some...rules for others.

wankers!!!

G'day Punter!

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WA isn't the only state with unhappy members...

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