Times Are Tough

[GhostofJimJess]

At the risk of alienating those who find "The Racing" a suitable substitute for real sport ... I'll press on. Somehow watching humans doing their best to steer their animal or machine so they don't bump into one another just doesn't do it for me ....

Jeez I hate this time of year.

You know - the footy season's just finished - the First Test at the Gabba is still 6 weeks off, and all of a sudden the back page of the paper starts talking up the G-G's as if I knew or cared who the hell Hoysted or Waterhouse (by Watercloset, out of Sh;thouse) actually were ...

And then there's the car racing ... or as I like to call it - The Synchronised Driving. It's all over the teev where the footy was only a week ago ... Have they no shame. The Magpie bodies aren't even cold yet !!

Anything that makes the televised National Draft seem like something worth looking forward to just has to start asking questions about itself.

Now, where the hell's that lawn mower ....

 

[BMD]

Why are Bathurst and the Melbourne Cup such big events?

Because, at this time of year people are desperate for any sport.

They just fill a void.

 

[Portia]

I continue to be amazed that the footy season ends when there's so much good footy weather left, but starts in the middle of summer.

Surely having the grand final in mid or late October would be a better idea.

 

[DaveW]

Originally posted by Porthos
I continue to be amazed that the footy season ends when there's so much good footy weather left, but starts in the middle of summer.

Surely having the grand final in mid or late October would be a better idea.

30 round season!

 

[sethlad]

Originally posted by BMD
Why are Bathurst and the Melbourne Cup such big events?

Because, at this time of year people are desperate for any sport.

They just fill a void



So the Melbourne Cup just fills a void.
I see, that explains why all those overseas visitors are just waiting for the AFL to finish.
The VRC were very wise to plan their carnival around the footy season back in 1861.
Never mind the fact that the Racing Industry is the 3rd biggest employer in Australia.
Racing is a world wide passion,it doesn't need to invent a hybrid spin off game in an attempt to become "international".

I have little or no interest in Bathurst but millions do.
The Melbourne Cup Carnival stands alone as Australia's greatest sporting event.
Statistically,historically,financially, passionately.
Learn to appreciate it,get there.Have you ever been to Melbourne during the Carnival?

I love my footy but there's no comparison.

Seth.

 

[adey115]

i think the activity on this website is testament enough that there simply can't be enough footy for some.......

it always makes me laugh that horse racing is referred to as a sport, and in some cases the sport of kings. ok, entertainment yes because of the gambling element etc, but how the hell can controlling an animal be a sport? footy, cricket, basketball, netball etc involves human skill and decision making. i guess the argument is that given there are jockeys on top of the nags that there is some human decision processes involved - but reality is, how do I know that the jockey isn't pulling back the horse, or for that matter whether the horse isn't in the mood to run and thus isn't trying? the horse doesn't know where the finish is? whats in it for the horse? money? better quality hay? is avoiding a trip to the Pal Factory/Glue Factory enough to make it run like the clappers?

when I hear a horse say "yep really wanted to win today, i know where the finish line is and enjoyed getting to the line first" then i'll call it a sport. but until such time it remains an excuse for a few drinks and to lose some money in the interim between the footy and the cricket.

 

[BMD]

Originally posted by sethlad

So the Melbourne Cup just fills a void.
I see, that explains why all those overseas visitors are just waiting for the AFL to finish.
The VRC were very wise to plan their carnival around the footy season back in 1861.
Never mind the fact that the Racing Industry is the 3rd biggest employer in Australia.
Racing is a world wide passion,it doesn't need to invent a hybrid spin off game in an attempt to become "international".

I have little or no interest in Bathurst but millions do.
The Melbourne Cup Carnival stands alone as Australia's greatest sporting event.
Statistically,historically,financially, passionately.
Learn to appreciate it,get there.Have you ever been to Melbourne during the Carnival?

I love my footy but there's no comparison.

Seth. [/B]

Have been to Melbourne for the carnival and loved it too.

My theory, which is only half-serious, is an attempt to explain why people who take no interest in either motor sport or racing during the year get interested at this time of year. Their usual sporting interests are idle.

It's mostly based on my own experience. I have only a very small interest in horse racing but pay a bit of attention at this time of year. I have even less interest in motor sport but have been known to watch a bit of Bathurst on occasion.

Why? My greater sporting interests (almost everything else) aren't doing anything.

 

[Foxtrot]

I hear ya Ghost.

If you're ever interested in developing a more deep seated loathing for car racing come stay at my place for this weekend.. and please bring some sort of firearm.

 

[sethlad]

Originally posted by adey115
it always makes me laugh that horse racing is referred to as a sport, how the hell can controlling an animal be a sport?

I think you'll find the definition of a sport is;
Pastime,often involving physical activity.
Does having an animal in it proclude it from being a sport?




How do I know that the jockey isn't pulling back the horse?

Ah,that old chestnut!
Try owners,stewards.
So you want human involvement but if decision making is involved it's obviously rigged.
Anyway,sport is so free from controversy.
Is boxing a sport? Do boxers never take a fall?
What about tennis,most players admit to having tanked in their career.Is that OK because they can talk?





Whats in it for the horse? is avoiding a trip to the Pal Factory/Glue Factory enough to make it run like the clappers?

It's called generations of breeding,that's what they're bred to do.
It's humans that kill horses,very little to do with the horse.




when I hear a horse say "yep really wanted to win today, i know where the finish line is and enjoyed getting to the line first" then i'll call it a sport. but until such time it remains an excuse for a few drinks and to lose some money in the interim between the footy and the cricket.

A well thought out cliche to finish with.


Seth.