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Thread: How do we make Harness Racing strong via today's sports betting market

  1. #61
    Senior Member 4YO HaroldParker will become famous soon enough
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    Quote Originally Posted by cyclone george View Post
    Hey bob you can ride gallopers in Vic ,have ten grand on the fav ( your on second fav) get ten months ,,but it was his first bet remember . That the integrity we should be fighting for.
    Only 10K ? laying Chilli Palmer is far more profitable : )

  2. #62
    Senior Member 4YO HaroldParker will become famous soon enough
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    First race at Menangle on Saturday night is 4.55pm. It's 10 degrees colder there in Winter and 10 degrees warmer in Summer.

    Every Friday night my mates and I would get to the first for Harold Park for 7pm from Pennant Hills (car or train) and kick on nearby after the last.

    What young blokes or Ladies is making there way to Menangle for a 4.55pm kick off unless you live around the corner and have no thought of doing anything afterwards.

    Another problem is, Harness Racing just doesn't have the same atmosphere in the day as it does at night.

    I couldn't make the one and a half hour express from the City to Menangle on Len Smith day but I hear it was very quiet out there.

  3. #63
    Senior Member Stallion Triple V will become famous soon enough Triple V's Avatar
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    Thumbs up

    Quote Originally Posted by Danno View Post
    Leigh,
    I'm not saying lets sit our collective thumbs, more saying that our proble lies in the ever shrinking number of participants, be they owners, trainers, breeders,drivers and punters or any combination of the afforementioned.
    This silly game we play had it's origins and was developed by its PARTICIPANTS.

    The TAB turnover will grow when we have more participants because that is how this game has always been relevant...Little Johnny from up the road has a horse going OK and gets a following, young Mary does the same, etc etc. This is not and never was the sport of kings, it is and always was the horse racing caper of tradesmen, publicans, farmers and "ordinary folk".

    In my humble opinion, therein lies a large part of our problem, we have forgotten who we are and who we should be projecting ourselves toward.

    Cheers,
    Dan
    VVV- Beautifully put Dan. That should be printed out, framed and hung upon the office doors of many an Industry Administrator, sadly so very few if any of which are actually participants.

  4. #64
    Senior Member 4YO brent_L will become famous soon enough
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    I have no idea on how to improve participation but surely out of town (agree wholeheartedly with Bob #61) metro tracks that are hours out of the way are a massive setback in attracting folks to give them a taste of the trots (do love the syndication idea however).
    In regard to improving turnover, the hotshot races in Brisbane this arvo don't really appear to be the answer IMO. I have mentioned somewhere before that punters need to be able to identify their runners(s) more easily plus not have to guess which track does/not have a sprint lane.....make them all the same (won't bother me either way, I will still be punting).
    Finally, a question for those a lot smarter than I. Could/would overall turnover increase, if like the gallops' Saturday arvo, we had our own time-slot dedicated to metro racing. I mentioned this in the recent survey and questioned would Sunday arvo/twilight be viable. As someone mentioned before this could include specialist coverage on Sky2. I know where I'd be if I could watch/bet Melton, Menangle, Albion, Globe & Gloucester together in one block of time! Not at the movies with the missus that's for sure.

  5. #65
    Senior Member Horse Of The Year Toohard will become famous soon enough Toohard's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Sofoulis View Post
    Very interesting thread and it is clear that everyone posting is wanting the best for harness racing.


    For what it is worth, I think TV advertising and exposure on news or other TV programs is a great way to reignite the memories of attending the trots in the glory days. Many of my colleagues who see random pictures I have of my horses will comment "oh, I remember going to Gloucester park as a kid, I absolutely loved it" and I think TV 'reminders' of this is a great way to reinitiate their interest and the big events (take inters night at Gloucester Park a few years ago) demonstrate that this still works and that the trots resonates with the community. The tricky part is getting people interested in the industry for more than just one night a year and, in my view, a good way to do this is through an ownership interest. The problem is, most people (including me a few years back) have absolutely no idea how to get involved or are worried about being screwed over financially (again, like what happened to me a few years back).


    A few of the clubs have got 'club horses' and this is a great idea - but perhaps it only gets exposure to those already involved in the industry. I think though, each of us can play a small part that collectively could make a big difference by just introducing or reintroducing people to our great sport.


    As an example, a few weeks back there was a charity quiz night I was involved in. Prizes were the usual (a nights accommodation, or a bottle of wine or a voucher etc.) but the winning team also got a 5% share in a standardbred. Thanks to the trainer, it is being trained on a 50/50 basis so they are not going to be out-of-pocket. Thanks to the agent, commission was reduced and thanks to the existing owners who agreed to give up just a small % each etc (contributions from everyone involved)...


    The winning table consisted of 5 people, none of whom had ever owned a horse, but:
    1 grew up going to Gloucester Park and loved it
    1 always wanted a 'pony' as a kid and says she is now effectively living that dream
    1 didn't even know horses could race "with a cart on their back"
    and all 5 of them are emailing me explaining how exciting it is and how they love telling their friends and family about it etc. etc. and the interest in our sport becomes exponential. Whether or not they ever get another horse is still to be seen, but it can only be good for the sport.


    And, as an owner in the sport, there is nothing better than sharing the experience with others - both the highs and lows!!!


    To clarify, I am not suggesting we all put our hands in our pocket and give everyone free shares in our horses, I am just suggesting that this personal 'marketing' of our sport is something we can do ourselves without relying on HRA or the state bodies or the clubs.....
    That's awesome!! Great work!!

  6. #66
    Senior Member 3YO strong persuader has a spectacular aura about strong persuader's Avatar
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    I sincerely hope that the administrators are reading this, the suggestions contained within this thread could just be the salvation of our industry.

    I agree with 90% of them, I cannot come at the sprint races sorry, maybe a little too traditional in that regard. How about whilst we have their attention with a 'sprint' race, how about we get them to ask the drivers about their change of strategy in the following race, a mile and half standing start.

    Here is a random thought that has been kicking around in my head for 15 years or so courtesy of Gordon Campbell Why can't we have a mobile with handicaps, using technology to create a visible light beam at the appropriate distances.

    Perhaps we could adopt the motto of "Back to the Future". Return what made the sport great, with an eye on the modern ways to do it.
    Warning: Horses are expensive, addictive, and may impair the ability to use common sense.

  7. #67
    Member Filly thepacingman will become famous soon enough
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    Interesting thread this one. Some good ideas.

    As for Phil's comment about mobile handicaps. They had the angled barrier starts at Albion Park some years ago when Rod Osborne was chief steward. Were scrapped after a short period. Not popular at all with participants and punters. I think some of these races might have been held at MV as well.

    As for betting more preferential draws. Good example Newcastle Derby the other nite. Bling It On draws the pole starts $1.10. Stifles betting. If it gets barrier 10 might be $1.50 and put more interest into the race and the betting. There are many instances where this happens. If you have these situations because of a RBD at least keep the race out of the quaddie. Get some value into it.

    Totally agree with others regarding Melton and Menangle being basically country tracks. You will not attract new people to the sport at these venues. You are only preaching to the converted. But what's done is done and I'm not sure how you solve this.

  8. #68
    Super Moderator Stallion Messenger will become famous soon enough Messenger's Avatar
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    http://www.smh.com.au/business/tabco...506-37uo4.html

    Tabcorp boss blasts online bookies (.... over their small contribution to the racing industry)

    This is making me think that providing entertainment and getting people back to the tracks is most important
    Melton only covers one side of Melbourne, if we cannot have a city track (too late now) can we develop maybe Yarra Glen and Cranbourne or ? to cover more points from the city (as well as capturing the townsfolk of our big country tracks of course)

    http://www.smh.com.au/business/tabco...506-37uo4.html
    per un PUGNO di DOLLARI

  9. #69
    Senior Member 4YO Lucky Camilla"s Lovechild will become famous soon enough
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    Quote Originally Posted by Messenger View Post
    http://www.smh.com.au/business/tabco...506-37uo4.html

    Tabcorp boss blasts online bookies (.... over their small contribution to the racing industry)

    This is making me think that providing entertainment and getting people back to the tracks is most important
    Melton only covers one side of Melbourne, if we cannot have a city track (too late now) can we develop maybe Yarra Glen and Cranbourne or ? to cover more points from the city (as well as capturing the townsfolk of our big country tracks of course)

    http://www.smh.com.au/business/tabco...506-37uo4.html
    Developing Cranbourne further would be a great idea. It is a huge growth area out that way. I'm not sure what there is in the way of public transport from the city out to Melton. Maybe someone knows. Does it need improving or looking at?

  10. #70
    Senior Member 3YO barney will become famous soon enough
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    Have read this topic and everyone had good ideas and agree nothing better to get interest is to get people involved, syndicates were way to go.Have organised a few in the past and have tried gain just recently to no avail as the sport has at the present moment got a smell about it like it or deny it it is true.
    Went to harness .org.au this morning and read story about Dean Braun having 3 chances to upset Smoken up.Go to stewards wrap and 2nd story there is about his positive and case being adjourned until 30/5.
    Honestly how can people have any faith in the sport when things like this happen.
    Nsw seems to be on the right track now and other states need to follow suit to rebuild faith in sport and help it get rid of the reputation of being corrupt.

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