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DAVID CARR |
Weblog: What do you mean the Wi-Fi doesn't work? The life of a Racing Post reporter
Wetherby washout woe
Curse the weather. After seeing the world's richest race in Dubai and the world's most famous race at Aintree I was all set for another world best today.
But heavy rain and waterlogging put paid to the world's biggest mascot race, the Mascot Gold Cup at Wetherby.
And the world's greatest challenge for a racing commentator.
Calling the Grand National without a TV monitor would have been light relief for Richard Hoiles after trying to make sense of what's going on as the 50-strong field 'dash' down the final furlong of the track, with six 'fences' to add to the confusion.
Remember, they are not wearing familiar racing colours and nor are most of them easily-recognised mascots representing football teams - recent winners include Eddie the Edgehog from Alderley Edge Hockey Club, Billy Bottle and Megumi Noodle Box - the Kauto Star of the mascot world who has won it twice.
But like Punchestown this week, Wetherby will not be beaten by a little bit of rain and the race, which raises a five-figure sum for Sue Ryder Care each year, has been rearranged for the evening meeting on May 31.
Excellent news for everyone, bar the unlucky man down to be commentating that night.
If there is anyone left around to go racing at Wetherby by then, after the course does its best to get everybody to swap Chester for Chantilly and Aintree for Auteuil.
It is staging a French property exhibition the weekend after next and appears desperately keen to sell the idea of moving across the Channel as the press release highlights: "A great climate, wonderful food and wine, set to a relaxed pace of life. Visitors will be surprised at how affordable it can be."
All of which will have sounded very tempting to any annual member left having to make their own entertainment on a soggy Yorkshire afternoon.
Though not necessarily to Shropshire owner/breeder Ray Bailey, whom I spoke to for an 'I Gotta Horse' feature as racing was off.
Even approaching 70 he's not one to spend the day relaxing with a Cognac and a croissant at a pavement cafe and he summed up the secret of the success he has enjoyed in business and sport as well as racing by saying: "I love work".
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