I was thinking the same about it being here Trish
As far as how we are going, I had a reminder of the gulf between codes last Saturday.
Thanks to relies by marriage, I was a guest in the Committee Room at Flemington
The Room (multi rooms actually) is huge and was packed. I have been to the New Members and the Old Members before. I did not venture out but no doubt these huge rooms/spaces were full too - full of people, most of whom have plenty of spending money.
This is an average meet near on Winter
I know Ray Chaplin has said it many times before (more eloquently) - we need to attract people with 'spending money'
At the same time I cannot help but think that we have what I see as a huge advantage over the gallops - our small tracks not only don't require binocs or a large screen TV to know what is going on but actually have the potential to create a lot more excitement than the gallops where half the action happens half a suburb away
I hope I am not sounding like a snob but the entertainment industry we are in, demands a first class event to attract the big dollars that the gallops and AFL do. Some will say they are finding it harder too of late but it sure didn't look like struggle street.
This does not mean we don't need ordinary folk like our good selves but we need a complete cross-section of society if we are to remain mainstream
We have to create passion for harness racing
ps One of my bros-in-law that was also there on Saturday, he was the one who introduced me to harness racing some 45+ yrs ago, asked me about Melton - he said it was too far for him to go (he lives in an East Melbourne suburb)
(Jumping off soap box now)