A day out at the races was, in the past, very much part of the New Zealand way of life, as it still is in Australia. It is comparatively recent changes to alcohol laws in this country that's contributed to the stopping of this practice, and a subsequent drop in attendance at race meetings. Our country is very different than what in the days when John Clarke, alias Fred Dagg, made more famous the Rod Derrett song, "Rugby, Racing and Beer"—I'd sing it if I could!