Tuesday nights at Cambridge: Branch hopes it will be short-term pain for long-term gain
By Barry Lichter • 5 August 2024
CEO David Branch knows Tuesday night meetings won’t make any money for Cambridge Raceway but he’s hoping they’ll generate long term gain for the industry.
Tomorrow marks the start of the new northern harness set-up with regular Tuesday meetings at Cambridge and Friday nights at Auckland.
And while only 55 horses are carded to race on Tuesday and just 57 at Auckland, Branch says it was exactly as predicted.
“Everyone expected there to be some short term pain but someone had to be brave enough to try it. Regular consistent racing at both venues is what we’ve always needed.”
The Entain-driven initiative, designed to provide more betting opportunity for punters and more earning potential for owners, is an experiment for everyone, says Branch.
“It’s a mindset change for everyone. It’s like build it and hope they come. I suppose the question will be how long can we sustain it?
David Branch … “Everyone expected there to be some short term pain but someone had to be brave enough to try it. Regular consistent racing at both venues is what we’ve always needed.””Hopefully our 55 will come again next Tuesday and trainers will get into the habit of racing every week and then slowly we’ll build up when people get confidence the races will happen.
“We have licences for only six races for the August and early September meetings but have been told it could potentially go to eight.”
The highest rated race on Tuesday, for R35 to R55 pacers, came close to being split into two until a couple of horses withdrew.
Branch said he doubted many of the horses racing at Cambridge would have raced at Auckland and the paucity of runners was also a reflection of the time of year when many were still out spelling or just being brought back into work.
Having to race on Tuesdays, which have not traditionally been good days for turnover, was not ideal but the club would just have to deal with it.
“We’ve had to re-evaluate our whole business plan and consolidate. Everything will be geared around running an industry-type meeting with off-course turnover.”
With few people expected on course, Branch says the club has to be smart over what rooms it opens so as not to lose money. The same facilities offered for Thursday greyhound meetings would see only the Clubhouse with its public bar open, as well as the Taylor St Club room, to cater for members and owners.
The Skyline restaurant would only open if private functions were booked there and catering adjusted accordingly.
Branch said notification had gone out to the Chamber Of Commerce in the hope businesses could be attracted to Tuesday meetings for a few drinks over short-sharp meetings.
Tomorrow’s meeting starts at 5.17pm and ends at 7.39pm.
Cambridge will run 41 meetings this season with 32 on Tuesday nights, six on Fridays, two on Thursdays and one on a Monday.
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Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Debbie Lincoln
5.26pm
“She had to sit parked most of the way last time but still went well, and that’s what she does. She’s proven to be a very promising filly and, while it’s hard these days to win without a good trip, it’s an even field and she’s a good chance again.”
Race 2: Lincoln Lou
5.55pm
“He probably cost himself a win last week by going roughly, but he can do that. If he’d got Frisco Bay’s trip he would have won with his closing quarters of 56 and 27 the fastest in the race. He’s just got to do things right to be the one to beat, even from the bad draw, as it’s an easier field.”
Race 5: Frisco Bay
7.30pm
“He’s up in grade a bit but I don’t think there’s anything between them. He’s just got to get the right run and, with his speed, he’ll be right in it.”
Race 6: Kevin Kline
7.59pm
“He’s no superstar but he’s very honest and he’s always a place chance as he’s a tough bugger, he sat parked last week.”
Race 6: Colonel Lincoln
7.59pm
“With a similar run to last week, he’d be right in it. He clocked 55.8 and 27.7, doing his best work at the finish. He hasn’t gone a bad race since he’s come back.”
Race 8: Prince Lincoln
8.59pm
“I wasn’t expecting him to do anything on debut as he’s a green, young horse. But he went very well so he’s obviously lifted his game for the occasion. And he’s trained on even better so the experience has enhanced him. From the inside he has to be a good chance.”
Race 8: Rivergirl Bella
8.59pm
“She’s definitely a better animal left-handed but she was passable right-handed and should go better this time. She’s got some speed.”
Race 8: Lincoln Downs
8.59pm
“She’s a nice filly but is behind the others. I don’t expect her to beat anything but she needs the experience.”
Race 8: Lincoln Linda
8.59pm
“There won’t be any shadows for her to jump this time so she has to be a serious chance. She’d been dominant at the workouts and trials before her debut but didn’t get the chance to show her true worth.”
Race 8: Lincoln Lover
8.59pm
“Fergie was quite impressed with him on debut and requested the drive again. He finished on strongly up the lane and should go well again. He just needs some luck from the outside of the gate.”
Mark Dux’s comments
Saturday night at Albion Park
Race 3: Argyle
9.04pm NZ time
“I thought his last two starts have been terrific. There’s no doubt this race is tougher, and he has trickier draw, but I was talking to Angus last night and he was quite upbeat about his chances. He said the horse gave him a good feel when he sat parked two starts back and he picked him too (in the draft). But it won’t be easy. There could be a bit of pressure early. I think he’ll come out and see what unfolds and, if there is too much pressure, he’ll drive him quietly.”
Ray’s comments
Sunday at Manawatu
Race 1: Onyx Shard
5.29pm
“You can put a line through her last run at Cambridge when she pulled up showing signs of a respiratory infection. She had a couple of weeks off after that and, while she hasn’t trialled since, she’s been training down nicely. She’s a nice filly and from the good draw should really win.”
Race 3: Lincoln La Moose
6.19pm
“He wasn’t far away in the amateur race at Auckland last time despite jumping a shadow early and galloping. This is a decent drop in class for him and he should be very competitive.
