I Went To The Races

Yesterday night, my date took me to the Singapore Turf Club. I live a short distance from the Turf Club but I've never considered going as I'm not into horse racing. But my date, me hubs (what did you thing?) got an invite from his colleague, let's call him Loon, and it sounded like fun.

This is the entrance to the club. It is conveniently located next to a MRT station. Notice the fake horse with the cart? I wondered why a work horse is featured when a turf club is all about race horses.

Of course I had to pose next to the horse. The horse smelled. Then I realised it was the leather harness that smelled.

They were giving out these free fans and I knew I was gonna get real hot and sweaty inside. I was right!

Here is the grandstand which is not air-conditioned. Everyone just sits or stands around watching the big TV screen which shows the current race. The place is very smoky as there's no law against smoking in this area. In Singapore there is a no smoking rule in many outdoor public places. I'm a non-smoker as well as a sufferer of nose allergies so I'm very grateful for such rules. A few seconds ago, I smelled my hair and it still stinks of cigarette smoke.

Here's our guy, Loon. Much to our relief, he brought us to the VIP area which is air-conditioned and smoke-free. In the photo, he's explaining the horse-racing literature to us.

Check out these seats. Here's where you can sit and watch your horse win or lose.

Me hubs had to put on a borrowed tie and tuck in his shirt before he could enter the VIP area. No, they didn't make him comb his hair. Most of the people in the VIP area wore suits.

We had buffet but I was too busy eating and forgot to take any pics. But I took a pic of this horse art piece.

Of course we placed some bets. Our guy, Loon gave us tips on what to bet. At this point, we seriously were very blur like sotong. (means: didn't have a clue) And just like that, we lost $30. It's very easy to lose money on gambling! I resolved not to make any more bets and right away, I bet $10 on horse no. 8 in the next race. Against Loon's advice, I did not bet on placing (you get money if your horse gets 2nd and 3rd placing) but bet on win. My horse no. 8 came in 2nd! And so I lost another $10.

Our guy, Loon brought us to the area where the horses are walked before a race. See the reddish floor? It's not hard but sinks when you step on it. We wanted to observe the horse and the jockey before the race. This way we get a better feel of which horse could win. The calmer the horse, the better the performance. So I watched the horses and at a certain point, the jockeys had to climb onto the horse. I picked Lucky Rise no. 11 to win because the jockey and the horse rode very well together. We watched this race from the stands for the atmosphere. When the race started, I almost fainted because Lucky Rise wasn't even in the top 5. Then out of the blue, in the last few seconds, Lucky Rise sprinted forward and WON! My win? A cool $34. I screamed for joy. I felt the gambler's rush. Oh dear.

The next race was The New Paper Trophy race which we came to watch. With my win, I didn't want to bet anymore but I decided I would place 1 last bet. Since we were back at the VIP area, I couldn't observe the horses up close. Instead I watched them on the TV screen and I chose New Found Luck no. 6 for win and placing. It came in 3rd so I won $8. Actually I lost $2 since it was a $10 bet.

That's me waiting to collect my "winning".

There was a little ceremony for the winner of the New Paper Trophy race.

Me and hubs are now part of the entourage. Here we are at the champagne room where the winner gets to pop a bottle of champagne. We drank orange juice because we don't drink and smoke. We're just gamblers.

This is what I wore. Some ole top and my Giodarno jeans. So classy! See how I thought my Ed Hardy watch is appropriate accessory for a VIP area.

I'm surprised I enjoyed myself so much. Mostly due to our guy, Loon who was such a great host. And absolutely no more horse racing bets for me. Hope you have a great weekend. I'll be sewing away.