RACING
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While there wasn't a huge crowd at Monday's Silver Goblet meeting at Dubbo racecourse there was one face trackside that would have been very familiar to fans of racing.
Max Presnell, one of the great writers of the Australian turf, extended a stay in the city to take in the meeting, and while he didn't enjoy great success on the punt he did enjoy his day out.
Presnell was in Dubbo to help local bookmaker and racing identity Peter Whealy celebrate his 60th birthday on Saturday night and took time out to speak with the Daily Liberal about his storied career in the sport of kings.
"I love getting out to the bush and just taking in the atmosphere and mingling with the people," Presnell said.
"Racing these days is so much different to what it was 20 or 30 years ago but the thing that doesn't change is the people.
"It's probably been about 10 years since I last set foot on the Dubbo racecourse but I'm very happy to be here today, this is the kind of place that racing is all about.
Through his long career, Presnell has seen some of the absolute legends of the industry and met some of the great characters.
And in an age where on-course patronage has taken a back seat to extended television coverage and most punters enjoy their fix from the comfort of a lounge room or pub, he still takes every chance he can get to enjoy a day at the track.
"Whether racing today is as good these days compared to what most of us think of as the 'glory days' I don't know but the product is the same, especially out here at places like Dubbo," Presnell said.
"Now we have a situation where people all around the country can have a bet on Dubbo racing and be informed, and I think that's great for the code.
"It's come at a cost to the on-track experience but the coverage these country meetings get and the horses, trainers and jockeys get is impressive.
"You come here today and see a guy like Greg Ryan in action, and he's chasing that Australian jockeys title, and you realise just how great this industry is.
"We've got people here with their horses that won't go down in the annals of racing folklore as champions but to their owners and trainers, the chase of the win is what keeps them going and that's the great part of racing.
"You might have a horse that people have paid a couple of thousand dollars for and they get as big a thrill out of it as the big names get out of there wins. It's great theatre and what our game is all about."