Racecourse number: 51
First visited: 2015
Number of visits: 1
During my two hundred and fifty mile journey from home to Chelmsford I witnessed the full spectrum of challenging weather that a British winter can throw at you. High winds, rain, sleet, snow, ice caused by very low temperatures and a blinding low sun. This is what all weather racing is all about. Live racing for the betting shops, when normal racing would be abandoned and when no sane person would venture outside. Joining me in my insanity on this occasion was my great friend from university Mark who now conveniently resides near Chelmsford. This would be the first official public race meeting, so in almost every sense was a new racecourse - except that a few years earlier the course had operated as Great Leighs racecourse with all manor of problems before it finally closed. The track and floodlights remained and following much investment and hard work the course was ready for action again with a new name and a very busy 2015 fixture list.
Prior to my visit I was intrigued by the unusual set up of the track. The grandstand is situated in the centre of the track along with the other main facilities. In practice this would mean a restricted sight of the racing with only the final two furlongs or so in view. The big screen certainly helped but the situation is far from ideal and is arguably significantly flawed. On arrival we received a warm welcome to what in truth from the outset was clearly a work in progress/building site. Much of the track and facilities were incomplete with a full grand opening planned for the summer. However this did not detract from the day out but rather showed how the course had much more scope to improve and expand its offering. As we entered the main sports bar/betting area I was equally impressed by the modern spacious facilities and the abundance of friendly, helpful staff. There was a professionalism about the place more akin to a hotel than a racecourse. A few intrepid staff members were dedicated to holding open the doors to the main betting area which were in danger of being blown off by the very strong winds. Outside where conditions could best be described as bloody freezing I was disappointed to find only eight bookmakers unenthusiastically lined up to form the betting market. Another option was the very odd and new site of DIY Tote terminals which looked impressive but seemed to be avoided by both myself and other sceptical punters. Undaunted I was ready to place my first bet.
The meeting had attracted a lot of runners from the relatively nearby Newmarket including my first selection Wanting, trained by Charlie Appleby. This daughter of Acclamation only needed to justify a portion of her 140,000 gns price tag it seemed to beat opposition that looked moderate at best. I had £20 on at 11-10 and soon returned to collect my winnings as Adam Kirby brought her through to challenge on the home turn and went away to win pretty comfortably. One bet, one win - this all weather racing is easy. Or is it? Four races later my total number of winners was still one! I had missed a couple of important form clues, ignored some very solid advice from a well put together race card and most worryingly neglected to factor in both the importance of the draw and front running tactics on a tight track with a short run in. If nothing else I had identified a potential future winner in Come On Dave who won the days sprint in embarrassingly easy fashion. All was not lost for race six as well as I increased my credibility and my cash balance with £10 on the 3-1 winner Karam Albaari. He came from last to first to win the stayers event under the urgings of my new favourite jockey Adam Kirby. Enthused I started the applause as the victors arrived at a very sparsely attended winners enclosure.
As we left the course we were treated to a floodlights switch on which added to the spectacle of the setting as we stood on the polytrack surface. I really enjoyed my first visit to a meeting that was pretty well attended given the weather conditions. Cheers Mark, cheers Adam and good luck to Chelmsford City racecourse. Based on what I saw in February 2015 they probably won't need it ......as long as the weather improves!
