Gai serves it up at MacDonalds!

[Chief Stipe]

Waterhouse unloads on race clubs: ‘Why not just go to McDonald's'

Gai Waterhouse says entry to the races should be free outside of the big days.

 By Ben Dorries

07:03am • 06 October 2023

Gai Waterhouse has called for race clubs to regularly throw open the gates and let people in for free.

 

The legendary trainer says punters would currently be better off going to McDonald's and then to the pub instead of heading to the track.

 

Racing's first lady has railed against the cost attached to taking a family to the races, saying entry fees and food and drink prices are exorbitant in many cases.

 

"I don't think that the race clubs realise you can go into a pub, you can watch the races on your phone, you can watch them from home," Waterhouse told Racenet.

 

"Why would you come to the track when you are going to be charged for entry, if you take a family it will cost a small fortune?

 

"Then there is the drink and the food, it's expensive. It's $11.50 for a beer, it's ridiculous.

 

"Why not just go to McDonald's — get yourself a burger and then go and watch the races in the pub?"

 

 

 

Gai Waterhouse says race clubs should throw open the gates and let people in for free. Picture: Getty Images.

 

Waterhouse can't understand why race clubs charge admission fees at all on rank-and-file race days.

 

She doubled down by suggesting many race clubs were "mean" and "out of touch" with society for charging people to get through the gates.

 

"People who run racing clubs are making so many excuses as to why they should be charging," Waterhouse said.

 

"But it is so mean, it is so out of touch with what is happening in the world.

 

"It should be free entry. People are very cost conscious. People want to get cheap food, cheap drink and be able to get into the place for free.

 

"Just let people walk on the course for free, employ a few security to patrol the place.

 

"Race clubs can make their money through turnover from the bookmakers and the TAB.

 

"We need to educate children that racing is a wonderful thing. But at the moment, you wouldn't take kids to the races because it's too expensive."

 

Waterhouse said Warwick Farm and Sandown were both in "major population zones" but both racecourses were often like ghost towns.

 

She said some of the best racing experiences were at Canterbury on Friday night where there was a targeted focus on families and fun.

 

Recently, more than 400 people roamed freely through 12 participating stables, including that of Waterhouse and co-trainer Adrian Bott, at the inaugural Flemington training centre open day.

 

Waterhouse loved the initiative where Victoria Racing Club and Flemington trainers opened their doors to all comers.

 

 

Gai Waterhouse showing off Group 1 star Alligator Blood during the Flemington stables tour. Picture: Getty Images.

 

She said there should be more of it and there should be pony racing on race days to attract children who could become the next generation of racing fans.

 

"I think every track should have pony racing on it … from Flemington to Cranbourne to Randwick to Wagga," Waterhouse said.

 

"If you have a pony race or two, it brings families because fathers bring their kids to the races. They do it all over England, it's very popular, they do it in France.

 

"I can‘t understand why it doesn't happen more often in Australia.

 

"It teaches little children about horses and it's really fun. All those children will end up coming back to the races as older people."

[mikeynz]

Free entry except on big days, what a innovative  idea.

I think that's just what NZ needs to get the courses packed out again, just like the old days🤣

Edited October 5, 2023 by mikeynz

[nod]

Right on Gabriel