Victoria - VRI gives green light to Saturday morning trots

[arlington]

From next Saturday, April 18, Harness Racing Victoria (HRV) will look to program Saturday morning trots meets.

https://www.thetrots.com.au/news/articles/vri-gives-green-light-to-saturday-morning-trots/

[Messenger]

It may get a bit more exposure and also tap into USA Friday night slot but it is not a timeslot I myself would be viewing in

[hugdon]

This could be a winner Kev, get some Melbourne based celebrity (Molly would be good) off to the trots in the morning and the footy in the afternoon Would imao make for a good day especially if the mighty West Coast Eagles were in Melbourne playing and winning as often happens of late (winking emoji)

[aussiebreno]

This could be a winner Kev, get some Melbourne based celebrity (Molly would be good) off to the trots in the morning and the footy in the afternoon Would imao make for a good day especially if the mighty West Coast Eagles were in Melbourne playing and winning as often happens of late (winking emoji)

Ben Cousins and Willie Rioli fit right in with a few trainers too!

[gutwagon]

If this time slot works the gallops and dogs will just move in and take it over !

[Messenger]

I am curious as to whether people think it will work
Why would it be better than Saturday night - following the racing. Saturday evening being an entertainment timeslot
Are we just hoping for Friday night USA money?

I once enjoyed being the Chairman of selectors for a suburban football team, but it was a bit of a chore to regularly go and watch the U19's as well as the Reserves (12pm OK) and Seniors
Saturday morning sport might be OK for school sport (something Private schools do in Melbourne) along with house auctions, shopping, getting ready for the footy but can this am. timeslot really become part of the sporting landscape in Australia and benefit harness racing?

[arlington]

I don't think Saturday mornings are meant to replace Sat night metro racing. Will be additional to, if Sat mornings are successful they'll continue after covid with metro racing resuming Saturday nights.
Would be looking to tap into New Zealand as well when they're racing again.
My interpretation of the press release, "HRV will look to program Saturday morning …" is the VRI and TABCORP have granted from this Saturday but doesn't mean HRV will run one this Saturday. The only meeting programmed is still a night meeting on the 18th.
The greyhounds have been running Saturday mornings for, maybe two or three years and I think they might be tier three, lower prize money, mainly heats. It wouldn't surprise if that's what HRV could be looking at, $4500 races for starters. Just like the first morning meeting last week.
Digressing, I know the 5 day working week has changed a lot but if we did have Saturday non metro as well as Sundays we might get younger people taking up the sport. Could race your horse weekly without taking a day from your annual leave or dropping a day's pay.

[Messenger]

Yes, there is no way that they would be giving up Saturday night so it would be an extra.

[gutwagon]

I think the idea with Saturday mornings is to fill a spot in the Sky Racing schedule, there would be very little else to bet on that was Australian product and there would not be any need to shift it to Sky 2 if they are a fraction late. Also wouldn't have to hold for other races.
I don't think they expect many people to turn up on track, they would mainly be aiming for a chance to get some extra turnover . The punting world is now a 24/7 thing, people are looking for something to bet on at all hours. Would also be a good idea to keep the breaks between races as short as possible so the punters don't lose attention.
I think it's worth a try, I can't see any reason why the industry participants wouldn't get behind it.

[Yabbie]

I think the idea with Saturday mornings is to fill a spot in the Sky Racing schedule, there would be very little else to bet on that was Australian product and there would not be any need to shift it to Sky 2 if they are a fraction late. Also wouldn't have to hold for other races.
I don't think they expect many people to turn up on track, they would mainly be aiming for a chance to get some extra turnover . The punting world is now a 24/7 thing, people are looking for something to bet on at all hours. Would also be a good idea to keep the breaks between races as short as possible so the punters don't lose attention.
I think it's worth a try, I can't see any reason why the industry participants wouldn't get behind it.



Gents - it is purely for a betting product - especially in these COVID19 times.

[arlington]

Any new product would pretty well be all about turnover. Even a product change like making our last race of a night no later than 10 pm. Doesn't really impact turnover but looks after participants.

Saturday mornings were brought up pre COVID19 during Dayle Brown's CEO roadshows. Again brought up, I think, when Dayle was at the Boort Cup early March. Can't quite remember but the idea might be a Twenty20 type set up for Sat mornings. In and out quick, 10:40 am start, 6 races twenty minutes apart.

[Messenger]

HRV have moved Monday meets on May 11, 18 & 25 to Saturday mornings May 9, 16 & 23

https://www.thetrots.com.au/news/articles/trots-greys-on-saturday-mornings-from-may-9/

[Messenger]

Starts tomorrow
R1 is at 8.30AM
You have to be joking
It will be interesting to see the betting figures
Is it being put on for 6.30pm New York?

http://www.harness.org.au/racing/fields/race-fields/?mc=MX090520D

[aussiebreno]

Starts tomorrow
R1 is at 8.30AM
You have to be joking
It will be interesting to see the betting figures
Is it being put on for 6.30pm New York?

http://www.harness.org.au/racing/fields/race-fields/?mc=MX090520D
This industry often curses administrators for lack of innovation. Good on them for trying this out

Got me out of bed early!

[aussiebreno]

Fantastic call by Dan. Obviously heavily aimed at the US.

[Messenger]

It would seem so Brendan
(I didn't think Americans were big punters)

[Bonnie]

First race won by a fully American bred filly ! She is a BEAUTIFUL WOMAN. Offered for sale as a yearling and didn’t meet her reserve. Half sister to Our Little General and full to Kasbah Kid.

[aussiebreno]

What happens if a horse with a Bicarb enforced early arrival is in Rc1! Early start haha

[gutwagon]

Bit strange to have the morning meeting on the same day as a night meeting there . Two meetings in the same region on the same day is also strange, trainers and drivers have to go home and come back a few hours later !