Maybe we are history
I was at Melton tonight with a good program including 2 Gp1’s
We left at 9.45 after R8 of 10
We spent most of our time in the cafe
When we left there were 8 left in there
But it would have been down to 20 at most after R7 the main race
At its peak there would have been 40 plus in there - it would only seat 60
The main dining lounge was pretty full mid evening but after R8 there were only 2 tables/groups of 8-10 left
One a large trotting family who recently suffered a major disaster
They we know to be trots followers - how many of the other diners were, would be a guess
The 2 public areas still busy when we left were the pokies and the sportsbar which both have little or no connection to the track - they both would have still had 50 in them at 9.45
But I think the same facilities without the trots would be doing the same trade
I don’t know how many were in attendance for private functions in private rooms like the Legends or whether they were trot related
I enjoyed my evening in the cafe
And sure it was a breezy night and Collingwood were in a final on TV
But as an event it was a bit underwhelming
Just like the stables and parade ring are compared to Menangle (I just had to repeat that because they are so so average)
Melton will always be good enough for a rusted on like me and appeal to the general public on a balmy summer evening
But for the other 40 or so weeks of the year, I think Ballarat and possibly a couple of others, have them covered
(Apologies for all the Buts)