Felch wrote:As someone who goes to the trots at Globe Derby 2-3 times year, and has taken my own grog there on quite a few occasions, my first reaction to the ban was that it was a stupid move. I would have thought that the powers-that-be would want to attract more people to the trots, not turn away the few that already go.
BUT, after going there Saturday night for the SA Cup and thinking about the whole thing a bit more, i look at things this way now -
How much money does GDP actually make from people like me attending the trots ? I bring my own grog and food usually, so i buy nothing there. Worst case (or best case for GDP) i might drop a couple of hundred on the punt, but what percentage/cut does GDP get from that ? Not a whole lot im guessing. From a financial point of view, i can see where they are coming from. Long term, they need to change the mindset of the people turning up to GDP - not going to be easy, maybe even impossible.
Things are a far cry from what it used to be like out there on Saturday nights 15 years ago, thats for sure.
$5 admission[$10 cup night]
If you turnover $200 on the tab the club gets approx 10 +% commissions [$20]
Thats $30 already Cup night
Imagine if an extra 500 people rolled up and did that
The club has stated that the grog ruling is in line with all other courses, except Oakbank
But clubs need to attract crowds
Perhaps an innovative race club in the future will advertise to BYO grog and tucker, and maybe attract regular crowds
IF Oakbank banned eskys, It would be suicidal