Thursday’s Vaal racemeeting was trialled with an early start at 11h00 as the debate rages on as to what is ever going to be early enough.
Selwyn Elk writes in the Sporting Post Mailbag that to start racing earlier at the Vaal this time of the year is a move that should have been taken ages ago – nevertheless better late than never.
In my opinion the powers-that- be have still got it wrong once again.
Electric storms in the area usually occur by mid-afternoon. Surely it would make more sense to programme the meeting that the last race was scheduled for between 13h00 and 14h00?
By starting the meeting at 09h00, the chances of losing any races would be greatly reduced.
The loss of turnover by starting two hours earlier would be minimal in comparison to races lost and inconvenience incurred by the racing public.
Let’s hope the authorities eventually can get it right. As far as I am concerned all it amounts to is common sense!
Vivian Mansour also wrote in and said that he feels that the early start at the Vaal was a good idea but the time between races is too long.
“Thirty minutes means they would definitely have seen out the 6th and 7th races!” quips Vivian.
