Far fewer people have turned out for The Championships at Randwick than hoped for but those who did have been rewarded.
After torrential rain forced the postponement of Sydney’s richest racing carnival on Saturday, grey skies and light rain again menaced The Championships on Monday afternoon following a sunny start to the day.
Just over 11,500 people filed into Randwick on Easter Monday, many in the traditional colours of black and white for Derby Day.
The number was well down on the target of 25,000 expected through the gate on Saturday.
But with some of the richest races in NSW on the card punters were repaid for their dedication.
Hero jockey Tommy Berry piloted sprinter Chautauqua from the back of pack to win by a nose in the $2.5 million Darley TJ Smith Stakes.
And trainer Chris Waller notched up his fifth Doncaster Mile victory with Kermadec winning the day’s flagship $3 million race.
The shifted schedule affected the plans of many racegoers over the Easter long weekend but what the Randwick concourse and marquees lacked in crowds they made up for with an unusually relaxed atmosphere for a major city race meeting.
Actor Daniel MacPherson, a racing enthusiast who recently bought a filly with trainer Lee Freedman, was at Randwick as a brand ambassador and was enthusiastic about the day.
“It’s a blessing for those who are here – to be able to come and watch such amazing racing in such a relaxed setting. You kind of lucked out if you are here, it’s pretty awesome,” he said.
Doctor Roger Burrell and his girlfriend, nurse Jess Francis, had been planning to attend Randwick on Saturday with friends, Paolo D’Ambrosio and Georgina Armstrong, who are also doctors.
The medical foursome decided to come anyway on Monday even though some had to work later that night.
“It’s nice to come here – we’re members so we try to come,” Mr Burrell said.
“We would have had to come because of the girls – they’ve got the black and white outfits and you can’t wear that any other day.”
