Build it and they will come.
The philosophy worked for Kevin Costner in the movie Field Of Dreams and it worked almost instantly for outgoing Otago Racing Club chief executive Andre Klein back in late 2003.
Mr Klein (44) finishes as chief executive on Thursday, less than 48 hours after the crowd leaves Wingatui today. He will start as the chief executive of Warwick Racecourse in England later this month.
It is appropriate one of his last days at work will be the day of the race that stops two nations.
Mr Klein started as the club's chief executive in September 2003 and the first thing he noticed was the lack of a flagship race day for the club to ''hang its hat on''.
When clubs got together to discuss race day dates ''I put my hand up and asked if there was any chance we could race on Melbourne Cup day,'' Mr Klein said.
''I got asked if I was serious and I said 'absolutely'.''
A harness racing club representative scribbled him a note telling him a Melbourne Cup meeting had been a disaster for that club.
''I wrote back: 'I think I'll do a better job' and passed it back.''
History will probably agree with Mr Klein, starting with the club's first Melbourne Cup day meeting in 2004.
''That Melbourne Cup day caused a massive change for this club insofar as its profile locally was concerned,'' Mr Klein said.
''It eclipsed Boxing Day, which was the biggest day up until then, straight away and then it steamrollered from there.''
He estimates more than 70,000 racing - and partying - fans have walked through the gates at Wingatui on Melbourne Cup day over the past 11 years.
The last 12 months have been difficult for Mr Klein and the Wingatui racing community but the new season has brought a promise of fresh starts.
''It's been a tough year with losing Steven Anderton, losing Champions Day [in late January] and losing two other race meetings due to the track,'' he said.
''The club has come under a lot of pressure publicly. I've been under a lot of pressure privately.
''The fact we've come out of the year as well as we have is immense.''
Despite pleasant sunshine at Wingatui yesterday, the weather gods are not letting Mr Klein off lightly after some average weather days over the last few Melbourne Cup days.
Rain and southerlies are forecast for today, although the high of 15degC is a few notches warmer than last year's 11degC.
Part of the reason Mr Klein took up the new job is the chance to support his sons Felix (15) and Jasper (13), who are both in the British Olympic free skiing development squad.
