Racecourse number: 37
First visited: 1997
Number of visits: 1
In April 1997 I was attending a training course in Woking with my good friend and colleague David Bennett. This two day session required two nights in a local B & B. We had no plans to go racing, though we had already lined up tickets for that night’s football game between Crystal Palace and Reading. During the morning session of our first day it became clear that we would not be required to attend in the afternoon. The element of the computer system being covered was not relevant to us. Quite quickly an alternative plan was hatched. Racing at Epsom was only half an hour away. There was, however a bit of a problem. We were not expected back at the B & B until teatime and it seemed no one else was, as at around lunchtime our brief homestead was deserted. No mobile number to ring in those days. No access to our cash or the cash cards we needed. Our limited funds would have to do. So off we went to the home of the Derby for their season opening fixture.
After paying for entry our meagre collective funds required an early winner to keep further bets flowing. The opening race was a very competitive six furlong sprint. Our selection was both topical and sensible. Given our destination later in the day Selhurstpark Flyer, trained by the ever reliable Jack Berry was the obvious choice. In running he looked very much like the solution to our funding problems, leading from three furlongs out, with just one challenger getting anywhere near him. With five yards to go he was leading and on the line it was very close but we both knew we had been defeated. A head victory was awarded to Lord Olivier ridden by Frankie Dettori. The set up at Epsom was both spacious and impressive. It truly was a fantastic sporting theatre. From the stands you look way down on the horses below who are encouraged to drift towards the far rail by the remarkable right to left camber on the course. Not heavily attended this particular day, you could still appreciate how Epsom could host a vast crowd for one of our nation’s most prestigious sporting events.
Undeterred by our initial close call Dave and I pressed on in our quest for a winner. Race two provided another action packed photo finish but this did not involve our selection. Following the purchase of some much needed sustenance we had only enough cash for one more bet, unless it won. Following some earlier competitive races we now had only three selections to choose from. Sometimes the situation dictates your betting strategy and whilst we discussed backing the outsider, logic and our desire to back a winner took over and we backed the short price favourite. The favourite Palio Sky obliged with able assistance from Pat Eddery. We reinvested our returns in a competitive fourth race spreading our stake around to secure a positive interest. Of the nineteen runners none our three fancies finished in the top ten! To see such a large field charging past with a furlong to go was some compensation though. Somehow, surprisingly I was at Epsom.
We planned to watch one more race but had simply run out of money. The solution was literally staring us in the face. At this time every racecourse had a tote credit club facility. Usually an exclusive betting office for credit club customers only. It was often a haven of calm especially on busy days. On this day it provided a solution to our desire to keep betting. I had opened an account to celebrate getting my first proper job a few years earlier so armed with my memorised account number I placed a decent win bet on the final race for me and Dave. Twenty years later I still know this number even though I have not used it in over a decade. Supply and Demand was our choice, one of the 2-1 joint favourites. Ridden by Kieron Fallon our fancy had little trouble seeing off his market rival. This sent us away with both a sense of satisfaction and the knowledge a cheque would literally be in the post with our winnings. Without doubt the best afternoon’s training I have ever had!
