"Fabulous Miss Otis"

On parade.

Hastings Racecourse

"Ebonys Silver Star"

In the paddock.

Hastings Racecourse

Hastings Racecourse

Day 1 of the new Racing Season. It looks as if it will be a little difficult at Hastings this year. With a large Renovation ( I hear 40 million $ ) going on , and a fairly busy opening day , it was pretty chaotic here on Sat. With the Ground Floor of the Grandstands closed , there was a definite lack of Betting Terminals plus the loss of the Concessions on the Ground Floor it made for some pretty long lines. If you got in Line to get a Hot Dog at the Paddock Grill , you missed a race. I understand there are going to be some inconveniences with such a big renovation going on , and it is for the greater good of all , Horsemen and Patrons , but you think they would make sure that all the Betting Terminals that are there , are working , they weren't !! You would think that in anticipation of a large opening day crowd , and knowing they are short on Concession Stands , they would bring in portable Concessions , like Mr Tube Steak or the Mini Donuts , both of whom , I have seen there before, they didn't.

I will be back , the Regulars , the Hardcore , will be back , grumbling , but they will be back.

However , they certainly didn't win over any new Fans , which is what they need the most.

Hopefully they can work out the kinks , or it is going to be a long year of frustration.

DC

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Into the Starting Gate for the First Race of the Year.

Hastings Racecourse

In the Gate

Hastings Racecourse

#1 "Upsweep" win #3 "Good Thinking" place

First exacta of the year.

Hastings Racecourse

Fraser Downs

Last pic of the Trotters.

Hastings Racecourse opens for the Season tomorrow. I am excited about the upcoming Season. True Metropolitan is back , Dancing Allstar is back and who knows which 2 yr old will be the next star. If you see someone going from the Starting Gate to the Finish Line and Paddock, and most places in between taking lotsa pics , it's probably me. Say Hi

Enjoy the Races and may all your tickets be Winners.

New Thoroughbred pics on Monday.

Horse & Driver

Fraser Downs

Up to the Gate

Fraser Downs

Warming Up

Fraser Downs

Hearing Footsteps

Fraser Downs

Down the Stretch

Fraser Downs

Fraser Downs

Trotters

Trotting Home

With only 10 days till they start at Hastings , I thought I would share some pics of my few trips to Fraser Downs. Not my favourite form of Horse Racing but they do make for some great pics.

Fraser Downs

"Noble Shogun"

In the paddock.

Hastings Racecourse

"Afternoon Express"

In the paddock.

Hastings Racecourse

"Undersecretary"

In the paddock.

Hastings Racecourse

"Katie'ssecrettwist"

In the paddock.

Hastings Racecourse

Unknown

In the paddock.

Hastings Racecourse

"Prosperita"

In the paddock.

Hastings Racecourse

"Windy Day"

In the paddock.

Hastings Racecourse

"Lethal Grande"

In the paddock.

Hastings Racecourse

"Alpha Danjur"

In the paddock.

Hastings Racecourse

"Der Koenig"

In the paddock.

Hastings Racecourse

Thanks to the observant visitor who recognized this horse.