sports
HORSES FOR COURSES
With the season reaching its climax at the end of October, the Insider takes time out for a day at the races... BY DAVE INGHAM
M
y motto when it comes to Warsaw is always “expect the unexpected,” because you can never be sure until you get there what something is going to be like. And the horse racing experience is certainly no different, at least that was my assumption. Located on ul. Puławska, in the capital’s Mokotów district, Służewiec race track is just a short tree-lined walk from the last stop of the number 4 tram. First opened on June 3, 1939, it was at the time the largest and most modern course of its kind in the whole of Europe. And as I made my way towards the entrance on a glorious day, with Warsaw basking in the glory of another Indian summer, I can’t say I was bubbling with excitement, more apprehension that this would be nothing like the horse racing I’d known back home. But as soon as I caught a glimpse of the track through the trees I felt that little surge of adrenalin. There’s nothing quite like live sport to get the blood racing. Having decided on the princely sum of zł. 200 as the necessary amount to take with me (just in case...) I was astounded to find that the cost of entry was a mere zł. 5 plus an extra zł. 2.50 for a programme detailing the day's runners and riders. And once inside I was delighted to find that despite my reservations it was in almost every way like the tracks I’d been to in England. As at every course the betting booths, where most of the money changes hands, were crowded with men that looked like they’d seen better days, nervously twitching while exchanging tips and studying the form guide. But the rest of the attendees were a complete
cross section of the capital’s inhabitants, with babcias running after kids and young couples looking dreamily into each others eyes, mixing easily with the hardened gamblers. For many it looked like it might be their first time at a track but everyone certainly still seemed to be enjoying the day out. But of course what you really want to know is did I win? Well... it’s not the winning it’s the... no, I don’t believe that either. So for the first race I decided to pick a horse based on form, and went with the British-owned “Kwiksle,” who had come second, last time out. Unfortunately for me when the horses paraded in front of the crowd, good old Kwiksle was at the back getting aggressive with the stable hand. No doubt he used up a fair bit of his much-needed reserves right there because in the grand scheme of things the nag eventually came in a disappointing 5th. For the next race I changed tactics and waited for the pre-race parade before opting to go off looks and temperament. I put the unusual sum of zł. 9 (for some reason you can’t bet zł. 10) on the handsome, strong looking “Muszelka,” who honorably managed to achieve the feat of finishing dead last. You win some, you lose some. That’s when I realized this gambling game isn’t for me. I still managed to enjoy the next few races though before making my exit, glowing with the knowledge that Warsaw had yet again surprised me by delivering a most memorable day. Służewiec Race Track ul. Puławska 266, tel. 22 543 9500, www.torsluzewiec.pl
www.warsawinsider.pl
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