Has racing finally jumped the shark and put entertainment above the punter and race day?
That’s the only conclusion you could come to if you watched the events in the lead-up to the $1 million The Gong at Kembla Grange on Saturday.
The powers that be decided the on-course crowd needed a singalong before The Gong and opted for The Choirboys’ hit from the 1980s Run to Paradise.
The race was close to its scheduled race time when the song started over the course broadcast system which meant it was going to be delayed for sure.
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Then when that song had finished everyone had to wait for local trainer Robert Price to hit The Gong in the mounting yard.
During this time horses had gone in the barriers but had to come out as the race wasn’t going to be run even close to its scheduled time.
Jockey Tim Clark talking on RSN on Sunday morning said it wasn’t a preferable situation.
On Sky Central, both Greg Radley and Ron Dufficy, who should be used to races running late, couldn’t hide their annoyance.
Surely this needs to be rectified but then again it appears now we have to have a singalong in Sydney before the main race which proves that the party is coming before the racing product.
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