Champ De Mars 27 Apr

We're here clansmen.

Enjoy and send some pics

Mac Wrote:

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> We're here clansmen.


give them horns.....<

Nope, try again.

OK, here's some feedback for those who have not yet visited Champ de Mars.

The oldest racecourse in the southern hemisphere and where horseracing is the national sport of Mauritius. It has its plusses and its minuses, which I think are:

Plusses
1. Extremely passionate. Owners have fan clubs. A Mr Ramapatee was congratulated by a passionate fan club waving banners in the colours of his racing silks. But they can boo too as they did to someone who was presented with a trophy towards the end of the meeting.
2. Crowds start to pour into the course an hour before the first race.
3. The parade ring is packed is packed to the rafters with spectators as is the bookmakers' area. I don't think I have seen a bookmakers' area so packed even in the good old Turffontein days.
4. If you want to know anything speak to a policeman. They are intelligent and helpful. And there are many of them.
5. Recommend Blue Marlin beer.

Minuses
1. There is no restaurant, or not that anyone was able to direct us to. Only fast food is served. Eish, I think one needs courage to consume some of that.
2. I found the local punters not very helpful nor friendly. I was also convinced that someone tried to pickpocket me.
3. The entrance road into the course is all broken up.
4. Many fast food market stalls are present in the track arena.
5. I think that dog at Clairwood has found his way into Champ de Mar and has made many friends with other dogs.
6. I don't know if this is a minus but there are two totes in operation. Not sure if they declare independent dividends or if they co-mingle.
7. The grandstand is not strategically positioned as it seems to be angled towards the track. Whilst facing the finishing post I was unable to see the horses racing down the track.

Would I like to return? I think so.



The bookmakers' area.


A panoramic view. (A little distorted as the finishing line is to the right). In the top left is an obelisk in remembrance to those (one third of Port Louis) who perished in a cyclone in I think 1862. In fact the date is 29 April, tomorrow is an anniversary.



Food lovers' market inside the arena.

Mauritius...my second home, for living, and punting There at the end of every year, love it!

Interesting feedback Mac..........and maybe an interesting lesson ?

In spite of the minuses you point out,punters are back every week in their droves,flooding the bookies area..............sounds exactly the opposite of the facilities we regard as important at our feature meetings..........and nobody comes back until the next fancy dress/party day.
Racings first priority is turnover as all areas are funded therefrom so it may be time to reassess what is really important to punters.
Similarly,I have raced in scruffy tattersalls with great atmosphere, with a core of punters hardly ever missing a meeting,week in and week out.

Great stuff Mac,hope you dont mind but i re sized your pics to make them easier to view...

looks a magic place (tu)

Thanks Hibs. Please can you also resize my "cave" on the other thread.

And one other thing, although English is the official language, all five race cards/books/papers were in French.

thanks for the insight Mac....(tu)