My husbandās family have been share holders of a North Yorkshire racing club since itās inception. A great uncle had been one of the founder members at the turn of the twentieth century. This means that once a year the share holders gather together for the AGM, have a delicious lunch and catchup with the wider family.
It is also the only time of year that I gamble and this part of the day I find the most challenging! I have some idea about form, ‘studying’ the racing section of the Sunday newspapers and the race card. However, my choices are rarely scientific and that could be the reason why my kitty runs out after the first couple of races. After all these years I still rarely rely on the experts to try and recoup my losses. These are never significant but just as frustrating and very annoying!
Last Sunday was no different. I gatecrashed the share holders meeting (I am only married to one of the share holders and not officially invited!) then enjoyed an excellent meal and wine. The atmosphere at our table was mellow and relaxed and my husband’s cousins are always excellent company. After the cheese and biscuits the conversation inevitably turned to racing.
The Racing Post was strategically placed on a table close to hand. I had already opened it to the correct page and marked the professional verdicts on all eight races. I had also checked the race card and noted any similarities. All that was left was for me to wander down to the ring and look at the horses. I do this for two reasons, one to build up steps (yes, Fitbit was also at the races!) and the other to aid my decision. This can be based on the jockey’s colours, the size of the horse and its temperament. The more excitable and fractious (as in raring to go) the better! I then rush over to the exit and watch the horses canter off towards the starting stalls.
This is where I make mistake number one. I’m not rational! I should take a step back, study my marked race card, include another column showing my ‘ring’ choices and decide on an overall winner. By the time I reach the Tote I take the last vision of the best looking horse with me and place my bet. I am always confident and just ‘feel’ that it will come in the first three. I never back any horse for a win. It’s always ‘each way’ so keep my options open.
Mistake number two is when I panic and check the horses I have marked. I look at my race card and return to the Tote to place a couple more bets just in case my gut instinct hasn’t worked. I initially spend Ā£4.00 on an ‘each way’ bet. I choose two more horses, ‘each way’ and spend another Ā£8.00. I have now covered all options and can’t lose! I rush back into our section of the grandstand satisfied that at least one of my horses will perform! I have also made a significant dent in my kitty!
This is the routine on most race days unless my daughter and her husband have made the trip and we have a pooled kitty. My son-in-law takes the most risks and this usually leaves us in pocket by the end of the day, sometimes even winning!
My husband sees no point in losing money so spends his afternoon eating, drinking and chatting to family and friends. He enjoys himself. I do when I’m on a winning streak! This year I almost broke even. I did find some change in my purse that I had saved in a pouch for a rainy day. It had ‘rained’ briefly on Sunday after the seventh race so was used to supplement my final bet. Money well spent because I could back and win on the last race!
The weather was generous to a fault, the meal and company excellent, a significant win on the last race left me able to reinstate the rainy day kitty with change and I managed to get my ten thousand steps. A very good day indeed! š
Jenny Burrell 