Hastings Racecourse Day Out

Some of you may remember that a couple of weeks ago I was kindly invited by BCLC who fund the lottery out here in British Columbia. Throughout the course of that day I got to experience things I never thought I'd get to, one of them being meeting one of the biggest jockeys in the world. Today I will take you through a few things that we managed to witness and physically do throughout the afternoon. Thank God the weather was kind to us!

Hastings Park Home Straight

I was invited through a friend of a friend just after a concert we both happened to be at, as if I needed more persuasion than a free afternoon racing, there was free food and drink. I was sold on it and to my brother's delight he got to come along to, he is getting married in October so I'm helping him enjoy life while he can... Ahem. I was told during the week that we would get to meet Breeder's Cup and Dubai World Cup winning jockey Aaron Gryder, then later on that we might not. So I went to the course hoping for the best.

Upon arrival we were greeted at the front desk and taken to the balcony surrounded with Budweiser advertising, where we would meet the rest of the bloggers. I had my Sunday best on but compared to the dresses some of the other ladies were wearing, a suit was nothing! We then got told how to place bets in Canada and were given betting vouchers for $10 each, all I can say is that Win or Each way is much less complicated. After everyone had got the chance to socialise and familiarise themselves with the surroundings, we were informed that Aaron was able to meet us. So off to the Paddock we went.


Me with Aaron Gryder

It was before the first race, one which Aaron had no ride in so he spent longer talking to us than we had intended, he was more than willing to do so. This came just 2 days after his win on Calidoscopio in the Brooklyn Handicap at Belmont Park in New York. This warranted many well done's and pats on the back, all taken with a blushing red face, but nonetheless appreciated. After a chat about racing and Animal Kingdom he assured us that he will 'probably be off the mark in the second race'.

For that second race me and my brother were given the chance to go and sit in the stalls, yes, we were actually sitting in the stalls when the race went off. It was only a 5 runner affair but Aaron was on the hot favourite 'I Think So' trained by Troy Taylor. True to his word Aaron led the field a merry dance and kicked for home scoring by a pretty easy three lengths from Silkworm. After our encounter to sit in the stalls we were given the chance to welcome Mr Gryder back into the winners enclosure, before getting our winnings of course.

After this it was pure enjoyment of the racing with a free beer here and there, not to mention the lovely spread of food for us from the racecourse. But one last privilege that we did get to witness was the racecourse commentator call a race up in the box. Unknown to me but our very own Richard

Aaron goes into an early lead

Hoiles had actually called a few races from Hastings Park before when stationed in Hong Kong. It was a 9 runner race which is about as big of a field you will get at Hastings so more than your usual field. In that field was a horse called Spirit River, unfortunately not the Coral Cup winner at Cheltenham, he is still with Nicky Henderson. But there was a surprise in the race as Hopeseeker won under Fernando Perez and for trainer Carl Lausten at 20/1.

We met Aaron once more as he was leaving the track for another brief chat just before the last race to say thank you. The last race was also the only other race I managed to back a winner all afternoon as Fernando Perez notched up a quick fire four timer on Miss Heatheridge. She took over at the end of the back straight to win as easily as she liked, but has since been beaten over course and distance.

Id like to thank BCLC for their kind invitation and hospitality and also to Hastings Racecourse themselves for being great hosts. If anyone is ever in Vancouver and want something to do I cant recommend here enough, plus its always free to get in!!

From Me and Matt, thank you to Hastings Racecourse
 and BCLC