Turffontein Racecourse - One Massive Rip-off !

I was invited to attend the Turffontein Race Meeting on Sat 1 Nov.

A friend had a runner in the 7th.

He had a table on the 3rd Floor in the Elevation Room.

Now, I haven't been to Turffontein Race course for nearly 15 years.

But, I have only fond memories of Turffontein.

So my acceptance of the Invitation was 1) to see my friend's horse running, and 2) to see the changes at Turffontein.

Looking for parking, there are very few if any signs. I mostly drove from memory.

When we did find parking, we didn't have a "Ticket".

At last we found the Public Parking.

(I had my son with me as "Protection", as the last race was at 19h50, and I had to drive back to Pretoria).

What I did notice, was that there were too many Staff employed at all these entrances.

2 - 3, 4, 5 people, where fewer should have been "capable" of doing the Job.

At the Parking gates, the entrances, the lifts, the room entrances, the reception.

Much too many people. But I suppose this is Job creation.

Wanting to place a bet, I looked for the Bookies.

I was shocked to find out there were NO BOOKIES !

There was only TAB facilities.

I found a cubicle with 2 people in front of me.

When it came to my turn, I called my bet. The young lady told me to fill in a Betting Slip.

I had wanted to place a straight win bet on my friends horse in Race 7.

But no, no betting slip, no bet !

I found some betting slips, and completed one.

I returned to the same cubicle as it was vacant.

I noticed that the young lady was cashing in a bet for somebody inside the cubicle, and paying him the cash. When giving him the money, some of the silver spilled on the floor.

They both started scrabbling on the floor to find the change.

I called the lady and waved my betting slip. She stopped looking for the change, and returned to her seat.

I would think that as a matter of course, Employees on duty should not be allowed to bet, or cash out bets to other Employees also on duty.

But I forgot this is Zumaland, where anything goes !

After race 7, (We lost), my son wanted to eat something.

He was not allowed into the Elevation Room, as he was wearing shorts. No where were we informed that shorts are not allowed. Be that as it may.

He purchased a "Boerie Roll". Mind you it was advertised as "Footlong".

Cost is R 30-00. For R 30-00 he got a dry roll with a piece of Boerewors.

As I said it was "Footlong". I don't know who's foot is the norm.

A small bottle of Fanta set him back another R 15-00.

What a rip-off !

You can just about buy a Liter of Fanta for R 15-00.

Now there were 4 guys in attendance at this Stall. Let's call them number 1 to Number 4.

Number 1 was doing something to the griddle.

Number 2 was braaiing the Wors.

Number 4 accepted the money, and gave the change.

He then gave a "Footlong" dry roll to Number 3.

Number 3 then forced open the roll.

Number 2 then inserted the Wors into the roll.

Number 3 then handed you the Boerewors Roll on a roll paper packet.

Note : On it. Not in it.

The sauces etc, were on a table nearby. Half the bottles did not have caps.

The flies were having a glorious time.

In my time from previous Turffontein visits, you could just about touch the horses as they passed the winning post. Today you are about half a mile from the winning post.

OK, I am exaggerating a bit, but still nearly 30 meters. No involvement. No excitement.

Whoever designed the layout of this course and its facilities, did definitely not have Public involvement in mind !

Findings and Comments :

1. A bad experience all round !

2. A massive rip-off in my opinion.

3. No involvement, just pay your money and Thank You. (Even if you don't mean it.

4. If this is the situation at Turffontein, I wonder how things are at the other Race course.

5. It is no wonder that Horse racing is losing money to the Casino's and other betting options.

6. If there were more Bookies venues, Then you will close the operations of the Race courses down.

7. There is absolutely no personal involvement. No excitement. I would much rather be sitting in a comfortable Bookie lounge in a comfortable chair, watching the races on a High Density TV screen than scrambling about at Turffontein.

8. I could enjoy a drink and a meal at a reasonable price.

9. Adieu, Turffontein Race course, and I suppose most other Race courses as well.

10. I will never, ever recommend Turffontein to anybody for a days social event.

I will never ever set foot on Turffontein Race course again !

Sorry to read this Les
I must have been at a different track , I was on the deck for a while plus Calvins bar, etc
The big T is a world class facility and I have raced at many tracks overseas and the value we get for the rand is exceptional
Just my opinion

Thanks Dave.

Yes, my previous memories of Turffontein were only the best.

But sadly, things seem to have changed.

Look at the photo of Bob's regarding Molly and Ziets.

You will never find this atmosphere on the Deck or elsewhere in my opinion.

Only in private rooms, where things seem to have remained untouched.

Hi L

Sorry to hear about your experience.

I am with Dave on this one though as I honestly think that Turffontein is a top notch facility. I took a whole bunch of people there a while back and we all had a great time.

It is not for me to comment on how you experienced it though, perhaps it's more about having an expectation and the experience unfortunately not living up to it.

The person that assisted with your bet must have been new as I have never had any issues with calling a bet.

Hope you will venture back there sometime.

My perception nowadays is; that "World Class", actually means "Fucked up".

But don't worry !

If things don't go right, go Left !

Les, you were the lawn customer. Can I ask other posters here where they were positioned? was it inside the building? Have you ever been a lawn customer (lowest entry allowance), which is what the small punter most likely will be?

Yes, the food is below par and very expensive, which makes taking youngsters even more expensive, and sort of eats into your betting budget. Then, to top it, you are not allowed to bring in your own food. Yes, you cannot stand at the rail and winning post anymore - this is often (other courses in SAF), barred off for very expensive picnic sites. Yes, there are no bookies on the lawns anymore. Yes the tab window service is often non-responsive, but I have noticed an improvement lately. Yes there is no crowd, which doesn't help create the atmosphere.

I agree with Les, there is not enough attention being given to the base line visitor and small time punter, and the fact that a connection with hearing, smelling and seeing up close the HORSE, this makes a lasting impact. Small enhancements and considerations can go a long way. These people are the life-blood of the sport.

I challenge all airconditioned-upper floors-too beautiful to smile-people to have a day down on the lawns and feel the rush as the runners go past the winning post, up close

Thanks Don !

I started thinking I was complaining for nothing.

That is the problem nowadays.

We all experience these problems and issues.

But if it doesn't affect us, we just ignore and forget them.

We praise and reward mediocrity.

We don't have the guts to stand up, and state and expose the obvious problems and issues !

In my opinion you definately have a point. I do agree with the staff not always being up to date and up to standard. However, that does not only count for Turffontein, but is more a South African problem....

I visit Turffontein 2 or 3 times a month and yes, I do think it is easier if you know your way around there and if you know where to go. I spent my time between the grass, various rooms and private boxes, so know what I am talking about.

Unfortunately I also think your opinion started to get worse and worse after the first negative experience. Because there is a bookie, but you probably did not see it. Your Fanta R 15.00, there are not a lot of places anymore where you pay less than R 15.00 for your cool drink. And your son not being allowed to get into one of the rooms, because he was wearing shorts. Their have been various topics already on the clothing rules on ABC, and besides that, I think that should also be a little bit of common sense... (my opinion).

Do I think you have a point, definately! However, we must not make it way worse than it is. But I do understand it is difficult to see the positive points when your experience starts negative....

This post I find very interesting. Clearly the lesson here is do your homework before venturing into unknown waters! One thing I will say is this - R30 for a boerewors roll and R15 for a tin of soda is a rip off. I go to restaurants where the price of soda, also in a can, is cheaper. What exactly are we trying to do to people who want a fun day out? Do we want them to buy 1 soda and boerewors roll and never come back or do we want them to have a pleasant experience and hopefully return?

Now I don't know what the facilities are like for the plebs at the big T but I am 100% sure that they will NOT compete with the surroundings, cleanliness and facilities that are on offer at my local bookmaker. Here we pay R8 a soda and you can get a variety of meals for less than R20 ( toasted sarmies, hot dogs, curry and rice on occasion etc etc). These are served on proper plates with the necessary utensils and a clean comfortable eating area is provided. I spoke to one of the bookies a while back and told him his prices could easily be lifted. His response was that they were not in the catering game, and he wanted people to come punt not eat! There is a lesson in that somewhere!

They have Great ideas , just need to get the execution right

No point getting new folk on course and not giving them top class service

Food should be subsidised for a year or two to help attract new blood

Full proper training must be given to staff, nice friendly staff soon come under pressure when they don't know how to solve problems or answer queries

Etc etc, but let's not be all negative it was a fantastic days racing

Thank god for the horses

I was at the track yesterday as well as most Saturdays.I sit on the deck the price of the Buffett is 145 and is world class with a great vibe I had an absolute blast at the races yesterday.

Really Les.. I haven't been to turffontein race course. Planning to go for the summer cup with the family. This is really putting me off. Anybody that was there. Shed some light please.