Just been told the crowd was poor

if you looked at Gnieman's he liked the two Tommys and gave Across The Ice in fourth

Bob Brogan wrote: VAAL RACECOURSE

27 SEPTEMBER 2014

EMERALD CUP 2014 SIZZLES!

A record crowd descended on the Vaal Racecourse for the running of the 10th
Emerald Cup, a fine day out celebrating the beauty of thoroughbred horse
racing and spectacular performances from top South African artists.

Triumph for the much anticipated Grade 2 race, run over a distance of 1450m
on the Vaal sand track went to Tommy Gun who outperformed a strong field by
making most of the running from the word go. The Corne Spies trained
gelding was gallant all the way to the winning post denying Uncle Tommy the
title.

The course was a flurry of action as patrons eagerly cheered on their
favourite horses whilst the Emerald stage kept racing fans entertained with
performances from Lonehill Estate, Daniel Baron, Mathew Mole and Lloyd Cele
who put on their best performances and kept the crowds entertained well
into the evening. Another highlight of the day was the annual grooms
sprint which saw a field of 40 participants take to the race track
competing for the R15 000 stake.

Phumelela’s Marketing Manager Michael Varney commented “As Racing. It’s A
Rush we are pleased with the success and growth of the Emerald Cup. Today’s
crowd and proceedings echoed our message wonderfully, racing isn’t just
about gaming; a day at the races is part of a tangible lifestyle.”

Don’t get left behind, follow us on social media and feel the Rush
Website: www.itsarush.co.za
Like us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/RACINGitsarush
Follow us on Twitter: twitter.com/racing_itsarush
Follow us on Instagram: racingitsarush

If it wasn't a record crowd, does that mean that Michael Varney is also dishonest????

i seriously doubt people will be flocking to the tracks anytime soon...financially its difficult in South Africa and business are closing at alarming rates thus unemployment is increasing by the day so people have little or no money for racing. you offer as much as you like but the future looks little bleak for many industries and horseracing will feel the effect as well.

Well said Venodh

Apparently course turnover up about 15% on last year. Whilst I disagree that there was a "record crowd" , as I said, I estimate only 50% of last year, I agree with Elvis, in that one could move freely etc.
Overall I hate being bustled and bumped on big race days.

Bob,
I was going to ignore your post on the cooler box thing. The reason is that it could be seen as coming from my side. The other reason is that I sometimes think we are always having a go at the Operators for anything.

But the reason that I will reply here is simply because I have always expressed my opinion, one way or another on most issues.

This year we did not do our traditional picnic spot. The Owners of Trip Tease, who have been at the picnic spot with us a few times booked a site, as they were a family party of 12 and we could not get a table of 12 anywhere for them.

When they got to the races, they were told that they could not bring their cooler box in and had to leave it at the car. This is after having paid R170 per head.....

I had to get involved and after long stories, they were allowed to bring their picnic box in to the picnic site. ....

Quite frankly, the Operators here have lost the plot, when it comes to catering. In a tired economy, a R150 meal now costs R295 upstairs, just because it's a big day ? Now, instead of R120 per head for the picnic spot (braai meat and salads), they went to R150 last year and R170 this year.

Now, how would Emperors Palace do it ? Are the R50 burgers now R100 just because there is a big event on ? Are drinks double the price ? Let's not even speak about loyalty programmes to Punters? And who cares about the Owners who have invested gazillions to provide runners, pay noms and acceptance fees ?

No way, man. We have limited space, people will come, lets screw them.....Make them pay as much as possible !

You really got guts to point these things out LG
Where are the other players?
Too scared to talk?

Arsenal fc publish a crowd of 60k for every match but each time that I have been there the stadium was not full as they inform us. When questioned they tell us that they sold all the tickets and people did not turn up, so it is quite possible that the vaal sold their entrance tickets but many failed to turn up for some reason or another

they have counters at the entrance

chicken n chips wrote: Arsenal fc publish a crowd of 60k for every match but each time that I have been there the stadium was not full as they inform us. When questioned they tell us that they sold all the tickets and people did not turn up, so it is quite possible that the vaal sold their entrance tickets but many failed to turn up for some reason or another

Entrance to the course free but I know you paid for Picnic sites. I think more to do with a waning economy and poor marketing than anything else - If you look at the poor Itsarush homepage there is ZERO link to the Emerald Cup - You have to go to the Facebook page which has less than 800 likes to find out about the day and the info there is limited.Why on earth was there not a program of the day's events published there? You are trying to get a new group of people out racing and you don't tell them what to expect? Publishing info is cheap via the net so this slap dash campaign is astounding. You cannot catch fish if you don't bait the hook!!

I think Mr Hawaii has hit the proverbial on the head. How exactly did Phumelela expect more people to attend when the marketing was aimed at the established market, and exposure in new areas was non existent.

I have two kids aged 23 and 20 who are on social media 24/7. They both know exactly what the buzz is on the social scene in Joburg be it clubs, events, parties, gatherings etc etc. Both of them tell me they have more than 2000 "friends" on facebook. Neither of them have heard of the Its a rush campaign. I think the problem lies with who is running the campaign. This is not something to be promoted by middle aged industry people. Perhaps Don can update us but I believe Its a FLOP more appropriate at the moment

Louis last post is mind boggling. It seems to be a similar scenario to what is happening in SA.
"I'm fine Jack so F**K YOU!"
On a lighter note, thanks LG, I had a good bet on Trip Tease. You have always rated him.