Curragh criticism grossly unfair

Sir, - I feel that all the negative publicity towards the Curragh is grossly unfair. The decision to continue racing there for the next two years has been made so, whether right or wrong, we have to make the best of it.

Personally I think the atmosphere there on Sunday was lovely and we had great racing. As regards Saturday you wouldn’t put a duck out in that weather so it made no difference where the racing was being staged. The best place to watch it was on television.

Last Friday evening we had beautiful weather at Leopardstown and a lot of work went into trying to get people racing. The turnout was disappointing, save for all the ladies who turned up to support Breast Cancer Ireland.

It is very difficult to get people racing these days and we don’t need all this negative publicity. I love the Curragh and they are trying to do their best at a very difficult time. – Yours etc.,

HELEN O’SULLIVAN,

Ballygreany,

Kildare,

Co Kildare.

Work to be done before Derby

Sir, - I read with interest quotes attributed to Ivan Yates at the Curragh last weekend. Mr Yates reportedly reacted to the temporary facilities at the track by saying: “This is an embarrassment to Irish racing. It’s an utter disgrace. There’s absolutely no regard whatsoever for racegoers and punters. I’ll never come back to the Curragh.”

While Mr Yates is to be applauded for his honesty it may, however, be more beneficial for racing to identify areas where changes need to be made in order for matters to improve before the upcoming Derby Festival.

Firstly the new car parking arrangements are shambolic. Huge tailbacks were caused both days as most cars were stopped by Gardaí who engaged in conversation with drivers regarding the racecourse’s new tiered parking arrangements.

Surely with the smaller attendances, all the gates on the main (hill) car park should be open, as was the norm, to keep the traffic moving and get racegoers in off the road and motorway as quickly as possible.

Much has been written about the psychology of queueing and it surely goes without saying that people who are unhappy before they even enter the racecourse will be harder to please once getting inside it!

Secondly one can only wonder how, with runners already loaded for the second race, the following announcement was made: “Following the running of the first race (run 30 minutes previously) the going has been changed to yielding to soft.”

One would think that the betting public would have been made aware of this before the runners had left the parade ring for the second race. Surely a simple penetrometer reading could also be used as is the norm in other racing countries?

Thirdly most racegoers I spoke to felt was a complete lack of atmosphere at the Curragh on both days, even making allowances for the poor weather on Saturday.

Anyone who was at Naas the previous week would have to say that the atmosphere there was far better. Considering that both tracks are under development, had poor raceday weather and are using temporary facilities, it seems Naas is doing a far better job. - Yours etc.,

JAMES MESCALL,

The Curragh,

Co Kildare.

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