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.
Harness calendar for the new season
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Third time lucky for Wave’s little bro Omaha Lincoln who finally debuts at Auckland
Copy N Paste a ‘tradesman’ but look for bold debut run at Cambridge on Thursday night
Ray reveals his theory on why rank outsider Sammy Lincoln can play a hand in the derby
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 4: Lincoln Linda
6.38pm
“I’m not sure where she’s at. It’s a big drop in class - there’s not much in there - but I don’t think she’ll morph into a star. She was hitting the sulky wheels last time and over-racing but that won’t happen again.”
Race 6: Lincoln Maree
7.36pm
“She paced roughly last time but we’ve done a bit of work on her since so she should be happier this time. It depends on the trip she gets (from four) but she’ll go an honest race. She’s no superstar, but she doesn’t miss many cheques.”
Race 8: Copy N Paste
8.45pm
“He’s dour and tradesman-like but he’s getting there. It’s his first time off the place, and the trip will improve him, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see him competitive in what is a very weak field. Sometimes you don’t know what the Bettors Delights have got until they front up at the races but he trialled well and beat a couple who are against him here.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Prince Lincoln
4.53pm
“He actually tried last time. He’s a nice horse but can change his mind quickly. Full blinds woke him up last time so we’ll see if he responds to them again this time.”
Race 3: Omaha Lincoln
5.46pm
“I think he’ll go a good race but it’s his first time at Alexandra Park so I don’t want to talk him up too much. He’s got enough ability to win a race like this, whether he’s ready to do it, we’ll find out. He can get a bit keen at times but I think he’s a chance if he does everything right.”
Race 5: Spiritual Bliss
6.54pm
“It was another great run last time after leading and she’s a good, tough mare who will go another good race. What trip she gets will determine where she finishes. From five, I’m picking she might go back this time but I’ll leave that up to the driver (Harrison Orange).”
Race 6: Sharpe Stride
7.24pm
“He’s a nice trotter, a big strong colt. He can get a bit hot but there’s nothing wrong with how he goes. He’s certainly not good enough to deal with these but he’s there for a run around.”
Race 9: Leo Lincoln
8.57pm
“He’s racing in career-best form and they were struggling for runners so I put him in. He gets a starting fee of $1750 so we won’t go home empty-handed. I’m really happy with him, he’s handling right-handed racing better these days. But he’s racing the bear cats so I’m not suggesting for a second he’ll give them a fright.”
Race 10: Colonel Lincoln
9.25pm
“I thought he went super last time. It was a vast improvement on the previous two starts and you’ve got to remember he was out for a long time. He’s coming to it now and improving all the time. I couldn’t label him but I’d be surprised if he’s not in the first three or four. He’s trained on well and gets a front row draw.”
Race 10: Sugar Ray Lincoln
9.25pm
“He was given too much to do last time - up to park at the bell - and you can’t drive the ears off them every time. With a more conservative trip he’d be right in it.”
