IDEAS on how we can improve Harness Racing

[Toohard]

Went to the dog Melbourne Cup few weeks back. From an entertainment point of view it was awesome. So much going on between races and heaps of stuff for kids. And heaps of 20-25 age group there... maybe due close proximity to the Uni. Again a one off and a 2 hour drive for us but I'd go back again.

But they have an advantage entertainment wise. Dogs not out on track 10 mins before race warming up.

You won't get punters back to the track these days. Why would they go? Endless traffic snarls and cold weather. Better to stay home with live TV and phones to bet with. Those of us old enough to have seen it happen when things changed will remember the punters left the track first. And subsequently, took the bookmakers with them.

Want other people to go to the track you need to entertain them. Like last night at Melton. Is that a priority? But tipping that probably cost money. Didn't see a lot of people punting last night and everything was free.

Innovative.* Neither my ideas but in UK when I was there (gallops) they put bands on in summer after the last. Twilight meets and if pay to get in before say race 3 you get to see band for nothing. Else pay extra to get in. Decent crowds of young people there to watch races and have a bet.

At one track went to (Windsor) they had figure 8 racing. Another in France went to had it too. It was fascinating to watch. Someone else suggest it on twitter recently. Leader become death seat horse after half a lap and vice versa. Home straight extra long as run diagonally. No sprint lanes needed ...probably coz drivers and horses dizzy!

[Messenger]

Went to the dog Melbourne Cup few weeks back. From an entertainment point of view it was awesome. So much going on between races and heaps of stuff for kids. And heaps of 20-25 age group there... maybe due close proximity to the Uni. Again a one off and a 2 hour drive for us but I'd go back again.

But they have an advantage entertainment wise. Dogs not out on track 10 mins before race warming up.

You won't get punters back to the track these days. Why would they go? Endless traffic snarls and cold weather. Better to stay home with live TV and phones to bet with. Those of us old enough to have seen it happen when things changed will remember the punters left the track first. And subsequently, took the bookmakers with them.

Want other people to go to the track you need to entertain them. Like last night at Melton. Is that a priority? But tipping that probably cost money. Didn't see a lot of people punting last night and everything was free.

Innovative.* Neither my ideas but in UK when I was there (gallops) they put bands on in summer after the last. Twilight meets and if pay to get in before say race 3 you get to see band for nothing. Else pay extra to get in. Decent crowds of young people there to watch races and have a bet.

At one track went to (Windsor) they had figure 8 racing. Another in France went to had it too. It was fascinating to watch. Someone else suggest it on twitter recently. Leader become death seat horse after half a lap and vice versa. Home straight extra long as run diagonally. No sprint lanes needed ...probably coz drivers and horses dizzy!

Why punters left is worth analysing to move forward
I will substitute 'punters' for public in some points
We know there has been more competition in the entertainment industry
Did they leave because facilities were not good enough? Because transport became an issue? Because viewing at home became so much better?

The thought of why do people go entered my mind yesterday (I had travelled 75 min to get there and had time to kill between races before travelling 75 min home - admittedly I like driving in the country but hate city snarls [recent weeks spent in Melbourne have proven to me that the city is $*@#^&])
I don't believe that viewing from home is much better - maybe if you are simply a gambler or are watching Sydney gallops on their Boutique Foxtel channel (I have been tempted)

Why do people go out to a movie? (Declining too, you say but you get my point - sometimes you just want to get out)

What if we made it more financially attractive for a punter to be on course (Change the takeout ratios) while improving the total package

If home is better do we really even need horses. Watching the boutique gallops channels they tell good stories about the horses and people but I could imagine with advances in animation they could produce dog racing that would look as good as the current product (and could come with a 'this is a random draw' message like they do before Tattslotto). I haven't looked at the animated stuff they have in the TABs for a long while - is it nearly there?

I cannot however imagine the public getting too excited about the animated Winx

I don't really want us to get into the music business but top quality food and drinks must go hand in hand with any entertainment over a lengthy time slot

ps Figure 8 racing sounds very interesting although I am guessing it couldn't involve small track excitement but it would seem much better suited to harness than any other code

[Toohard]

Why punters left is worth analysing to move forward
I will substitute 'punters' for public in some points
We know there has been more competition in the entertainment industry
Did they leave because facilities were not good enough? Because transport became an issue? Because viewing at home became so much better?

The thought of why do people go entered my mind yesterday (I had travelled 75 min to get there and had time to kill between races before travelling 75 min home - admittedly I like driving in the country but hate city snarls [recent weeks spent in Melbourne have proven to me that the city is $*@#^&])
I don't believe that viewing from home is much better - maybe if you are simply a gambler or are watching Sydney gallops on their Boutique Foxtel channel (I have been tempted)

Why do people go out to a movie? (Declining too, you say but you get my point - sometimes you just want to get out)

What if we made it more financially attractive for a punter to be on course (Change the takeout ratios) while improving the total package

If home is better do we really even need horses. Watching the boutique gallops channels they tell good stories about the horses and people but I could imagine with advances in animation they could produce dog racing that would look as good as the current product (and could come with a 'this is a random draw' message like they do before Tattslotto). I haven't looked at the animated stuff they have in the TABs for a long while - is it nearly there?

I cannot however imagine the public getting too excited about the animated Winx

I don't really want us to get into the music business but top quality food and drinks must go hand in hand with any entertainment over a lengthy time slot

ps Figure 8 racing sounds very interesting although I am guessing it couldn't involve small track excitement but it would seem much better suited to harness than any other code

They left because it was easier and better to watch/bet from home. You won't get them back.... way of the world.

[djgood]

so we need to fix up the handicapping to make the punters want to bet again , easier said than done as when people try change the handicapping to make it fairer and the fields more competitive ,its pitchfork and man the barricades time

[Messenger]

They left because it was easier and better to watch/bet from home. You won't get them back.... way of the world.

That of course is in your opinion Paul.
For a start you are only talking about the 'punter' not somebody who wants a night/day out
I cannot agree that it is better to watch from home - continuous bombardment of Sky drives me nuts - to the extent I hit the mute button (problem then is not to miss the next race you are interested in LOL), then there is the ordinary picture quality. If I am not there, I more often than not just watch the replays later (not much of a punter anymore) If I never attended a meeting and was a stay at home follower only, I would probably switch to following Sydney gallops on Thoroughbred Central - top pic, right mix of banter, less ads.

What would it take to get 'punters' back (if that was deemed desirable). What if the on course pool was separate from the off course (maybe for only Win and Place) eg the take from Off course is raised by 2.5% so that the take from on course could be dropped 2.5% or thereabouts so that there was a 5% advantage in betting on course. It would take some figuring but you get the idea
Or could there be some advantage, smaller fee for on course bookies - which may or may not result in a return of bookies and punters (calculated of course, to not be detrimental to the industry)
Just brainstorming here of course

[arlington]

The Old New Thing

Has anyone suggested removing some sprint lanes? Might be time to experiment.