DO WE TAKE RACING SADLY?

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18009, 20 November 1926, Page 2

DO WE TAKE RACING SADLY?

U.S. VISITOR LOOKS AT MELBOURNE CUP. “ IN AMERICA WE LIKE TO WATCH IN COMFORT” (Special to the "Star.”) MELBOURNE, November 10. Striking differences in the way racing is conducted in Victoria and in the United States were noted by Mr Hill Tolerton, a visiting American journalist, at Flemington on Cup Day. Mr Tolerton, who disclaims any intention to criticise, describes the Flemington course as acertainly a great place.” “The first thing which caught my attentiory” he says, “was the skill with which the railway people handled the enormous crowds. This was efficiency—plus. But then it was a very sedate and good-.natured crowd, seriously intent on taking their pleasure sadly in the time-honoured English way. This is an old gibe, but there is a basis of truth in it. “In America there would have been more sparkle, vivacity and general excitement, especially at the time of the actual racing, when we are apt to get a bit hysterical. “Certainly a most efficient machinery was behind the racing itself. Every race started promptly on scheduled time, and the whole business was beautifully managed. And to see actual green grass on the track itself was something new to me. WHERE FLEMINGTON DISAPPOINTS. “In America a ticket to the grandstand entitles the holder to a specified numbered seat that is easy to find, as the aisles are plainly lettered. This seat belongs to the holder of the ticket as long as he or she remains on the track that day. lie can leave it to saunter on the lawn, and it will be waiting for him on his return. “But this is not so at Flemington, where a ticket to the grandstand is merely equivalent to what we in America would call general admission. In fact, the arrangement -now is such that I could not see the races to any advantage at all until I went up on to “The Hill.” “I arrived at the race track at 1.30 p.m. but every seat in the grandstand had already been # taken. Have I not as good a right to a seat, in case I tire of parading the lawn, as the early comer? I should imagine that the conditions might be rather unpleasant in case of inclement weather. ROOM FOR ANOTHER STAND. “It seems to me that there is ample room for a large up-to-date stand between the new members’ stand and the present grandstand under the hill. And it could be built without spoiling the present lawn. “The Australian and American points of view toward racing differ. In this country the horses and the race itself are everything, whereas in America we go to the races primarily to enjoy ourselves, and that includes the important matter of being perfectly comfortable while we are looking at horses running. It might be kangaroos running a race or any other spectacle. We regard it as merely a spectacle and nothing more.”