Off topic I guess, but the Melton track has been mentioned in this thread so just for peoples info, there is a huge housing development about to occur just to the east of the Melton track. Also believe a new suburb being planned to the north of it. One of the fastest growing areas in Australia.
http://www.propertyobserver.com.au/f...or-growth.html
So the track will soon be surrounded by housing and with the population tipped to double in the next 15 years would appear to be ideally situated. New developments are usually populated with the 'younger generation'.
Also... Cody will probably be best to answer... What was done to get all those people there on Saturday night? Was the biggest crowd have seen there for ages. Had kids entertainment on and a band playing but was anything else done? Terribly disappointing that the storm put an end to the night. Am always interested when see new faces there. Asked a few of them whilst sheltering from storm if their first time there and why they came. Surprisingly most said yes and most said because no footy on, because it was a Saturday night and because a nice night (pre storm!) and most of them were locals.
Don't know the answer to the breeding question. As Harvey says it's a chicken and egg thing. People breeding to sell aren't going to keep breeding if they are going to lose money doing it. And it's a cost;y exercise as pointed out earlier and someone has to pay. If you look at hourly rates then most trainers would be amongst the lowest paid people going around.
I only breed one a year or so and keep them to race. Don't do it to make a dollar although you always hope you will. In all the time have been doing it have had one that paid his way and also financed a few more. But you have to be very, very lucky for that to happen. Don't know how you 'sell' that to people given that people these days are very impatient. Hard to expain to people when they ask why you do it. "Why spend all that money and take all that risk when you might not get anything back?" And then the same people ask "Why do you get so excited when you win one?"
Like Marks idea of a reality TV show! Would be real reality too not the concocted crap they serve up currently. Need to tell the stories of the lesser known people more too.
Dannos right about the ready to run horses. Know of someone who has been a long time follower but never had a share in a standardbred until recently. Took a share in an up and running one and have had a few wins already. Tipping that will get them involved in another one. But that won't happen everytime and selling something that 'might happen' is hard job to do. Like Harvey said you are trying to sell someone a dream. And when peoples dreams these days are meeting their perfect match or cooking a perfect steak on 'reality TV' it's a hard sell.
Stake money increases recently a real winner I reckon. Win 1 race as a 2, 3 or 4yo and get a $7k bonus. Not going to cover costs but its a great help.
Need to 'sell' the whole experience but as above, a hard job these days.
Someone took the time to write their thoughts on the whole industry here
https://dashman01.wordpress.com/2015...-my-wish-list/
Interesting read.