Travel On My Terms: Off to the Races

It's Saturday March 25th and it is race day at Rosehill Race track. It is the Longines Golden Slipper Carnival. One of the races has a purse of $1 million and another $3.5 million. There are 9 races total, with prizes ranging from $100,000 to $640,000 in addition to the big races.

We got there early which gave us time to scope out were we were going. We had a package that included entrance, two drinks and a light lunch. It was just like here, you saw everything from the guy with the long beard and tattered jeans to very elegant dresses and hats and everything in between.

When we got there we met one of the ushers - don't really know what he is called but he had on tails and was so much fun. I asked for a picture and he came out to do one together and I said "OK". It cracked me up because he said "I just love the way you American's say 'OK'". I actually have gotten lots of comments on my "lovely" accent. Funny since I don't think I have one and am totally entranced by the different accents I hear. But that is for another time.

We got in and found our spot and got our first drink - a nice champagne. We staked out some great seats and we got ready for the first race. Suzan convinced me to bet on the race - a whole $4 AUD which I lost faster than you can say "OK". Needless to say, that was my first and last bet at the race track. Her horse won - problem was it lost its jockey so it didn't count. I just picked my horses and ultimately had one that won and one that came in third - sure glad I didn't bet anymore! The amount of money that was flowing was amazing though.

There were a bunch of young men there who seemed to have come together. They were all dressed in those very straight legged (tight) suits with long thin ties and were all quite handsome. I noticed as the day went on the jackets came off, the ties loosened as did they as they frequented the bar.

Our light lunch was a pre made sandwich - I got chicken with avocado - and a small pie. I was thinking vending machine and was prepared for the worst. I have to say, the sandwich was quite delicious and the pie - beef and mushroom - was just delicious. I don't know if they were really that good or it was just the thrill of the day, but no matter, I enjoyed it. I am fascinated how the Australians cover those lovely pies with ketchup - the idea of ketchup and pastry dough just escapes me.

There was a horse named Winx and people had all kinds of signs "Go Winx". She was in the 5th race which had a purse of $1 million. She was in second or third place all through the race, then at the last stretch she pulled ahead and won. Her 24th consecutive win and I guess she has won over $20 million. They said that the owner was going to take her to Ascot, then changed his/her mind and they are taking her to breed. Someone said her foals would sell for millions - crazy that anyone would spend that much on a horse but shows what I know about race horses. Someone also told me that if I told my friends that I had seen Winx race you would all be so impressed - so are you?

The day ended with an uneventful drive home and a quiet evening after a fun filled day.

The dapper gentleman at the Race Course entrance

The dapper gentleman and Suzan

This the horse Suzan bet on in the first race. When leaving the gate, the jockey fell off. The horse ran the race without him and won - then ran around the track a second time until they caught him. Of course the crowd was cheering wildly for him - and of course it didn't count. But it was fun.

Horses coming on to the track

Horses running past us

These riders help escort horses, catch riderless horses and I noticed escort the winners back. Apparently the jockey is weighed before a race, then there officials escort the winning jockey and horse back for a race end weigh in to assure everything is on the up and up.