The "Worlds" Best Racing Carnival.

[Harold Parker]

I've been fortunate in the last decade or so to of spent a couple of three year blocks in the EU and the US for work. I've attended pretty much any major racing carnival you can think of.

Gallops wise I've done all the English majors including the jumps, the Arc in France, Ireland twice and one trip to Germany. In the US I've done the Derby twice and four Breeders Cups. Dubai is on the bucket list : )

I'm a Harness Racing fan first and foremost and when I lived in the States I was only 15 mins from Yonkers and an easy trip to the Meadowlands so I've done all the majors at both venues, I've been to the Jug twice and driven to Baltimore, Dover, Florida, Illinois and one trip to Canada for a meeting or three.

My point is I believe I've a good understanding of what makes a truly great racing carnival and I believe Harness Racing NSW could have at least the best Harness Racing Carnival in the World.

As is the case in nearly all of the major carnivals in the EU and US it would need to coincide with the school holidays and with Menangle being out in the sticks, land could be set aside both inside the track and surrounding areas for caravans and cabins etc as well as a place for a show with rides etc

I'd have it at Easter (not too hot not too cold), so why not an Easter Show to take on "the" Easter Show. How many locals out that way make the trip to Homebush to get ripped off every year ? Bring the Easter Show to them and other families who will make the trip not only for the Easter Show as well as those who come to town for what is a little over a week long Harness Racing Carnival.

As for the racing, here goes...

Friday : ID Heats, Derby Heats.
Monday : ID Heats, Ladyship Mile, Oaks Heats.
Thursday : ID Heats, Chariots of Fire.
Sunday : ID Final, Derby, Oaks.

I'd also have :

Trotting Classic. 2 Heats on the Thursday? with the final on Sunday.
MO-M1 2 Heats + Final.
M2-M5? 2 Heats + Final.
C1-C4 2 Heats + Final.
+ 1 race on each day for Country trained horses who qualified in the bush.

I also like the idea of an invitation race on Grand Final Day open for the first two home in the mares race, first two in the Chariots of Fire with the remaining spots filled by horses who just missed a place in the ID Final. How does 100K sound ? as well as a consolation for 17th+ carrying the equiv prize money of an ID Heat.

The Friday could be moved forward to the Thursday night if Good Friday is an issue.

I had a few hours to kill on the flight over :p

[murray green]

I've been fortunate in the last decade or so to of spent a couple of three year blocks in the EU and the US for work. I've attended pretty much any major racing carnival you can think of.

Gallops wise I've done all the English majors including the jumps, the Arc in France, Ireland twice and one trip to Germany. In the US I've done the Derby twice and four Breeders Cups. Dubai is on the bucket list : )

I'm a Harness Racing fan first and foremost and when I lived in the States I was only 15 mins from Yonkers and an easy trip to the Meadowlands so I've done all the majors at both venues, I've been to the Jug twice and driven to Baltimore, Dover, Florida, Illinois and one trip to Canada for a meeting or three.

My point is I believe I've a good understanding of what makes a truly great racing carnival and I believe Harness Racing NSW could have at least the best Harness Racing Carnival in the World.

As is the case in nearly all of the major carnivals in the EU and US it would need to coincide with the school holidays and with Menangle being out in the sticks, land could be set aside both inside the track and surrounding areas for caravans and cabins etc as well as a place for a show with rides etc

I'd have it at Easter (not too hot not too cold), so why not an Easter Show to take on "the" Easter Show. How many locals out that way make the trip to Homebush to get ripped off every year ? Bring the Easter Show to them and other families who will make the trip not only for the Easter Show as well as those who come to town for what is a little over a week long Harness Racing Carnival.

As for the racing, here goes...

Friday : ID Heats, Derby Heats.
Monday : ID Heats, Ladyship Mile, Oaks Heats.
Thursday : ID Heats, Chariots of Fire.
Sunday : ID Final, Derby, Oaks.

I'd also have :

Trotting Classic. 2 Heats on the Thursday? with the final on Sunday.
MO-M1 2 Heats + Final.
M2-M5? 2 Heats + Final.
C1-C4 2 Heats + Final.
+ 1 race on each day for Country trained horses who qualified in the bush.

I also like the idea of an invitation race on Grand Final Day open for the first two home in the mares race, first two in the Chariots of Fire with the remaining spots filled by horses who just missed a place in the ID Final. How does 100K sound ? as well as a consolation for 17th+ carrying the equiv prize money of an ID Heat.

The Friday could be moved forward to the Thursday night if Good Friday is an issue.

I had a few hours to kill on the flight over :p

Enjoy your flight .
But wouldn't that get all the GOOD racing over & done with too soon ?
What would we have left to enjoy through the remainder of the year ?

[Old Frank]

I think your a bastard for having attended so many wonderful meets!

Hahahahaha... Just jokes!


I love the 'carnival' aspect of it, however do we really think the Gallops would allow such a big carnival to potentially impact on their exposure at that time of the year?

They would rule the roost, their carnival at that time of the year get's maximum media exposure and boy oh boy, we'd be fighting our asses off to be heard/seen.

Love the concept of carnivals though bigtime.

[Triple V]

I've only got one question for you.
Why didn't you apply for the position of Chairman on the HRNSW Board?

QUOTE [ As is the case in nearly all of the major carnivals in the EU and US it would need to coincide with the school holidays and with Menangle being out in the sticks, land could be set aside both inside the track and surrounding areas for caravans and cabins etc as well as a place for a show with rides etc
I'd have it at Easter (not too hot not too cold), so why not an Easter Show to take on "the" Easter Show. How many locals out that way make the trip to Homebush to get ripped off every year ? Bring the Easter Show to them and other families who will make the trip not only for the Easter Show as well as those who come to town for what is a little over a week long Harness Racing Carnival.] END QUOTE.

Now THAT'S GOLD! It should be printed out and nailed to the door of every racing admin. person in this State.

Most appreciated Robert.

[teecee]

Cup week in Christchurch is run in November a week after the Melbourne Cup. Kids at school.( best place for them..!!!
Saturday Gallops, Monday dogs, Tuesday Harness (Cup), Wednesday Gallops, Thursday Dogs / Harness 40 mins to Ashburton, Friday Harness, Saturday Gallops (Cup).
All codes working in together. Only problem..stretching the betting kitty far enough if it's a bad punting week.

[Harold Parker]

Enjoy your flight .
But wouldn't that get all the GOOD racing over & done with too soon ?
What would we have left to enjoy through the remainder of the year ?

As it stands Murray, they're running the ID Final, Ladyship, Derby and Oaks on the ONE day. I'm spreading it over four race meetings in just over a week.

[murray green]

As it stands Murray, they're running the ID Final, Ladyship, Derby and Oaks on the ONE day. I'm spreading it over four race meetings in just over a week.

Yep get ya......fair enough then. Get in touch with Sam or John or Rex or someone that will listen.
Ive thought further on this & It could happen.

[Harold Parker]

I think your a bastard for having attended so many wonderful meets!

Hahahahaha... Just jokes!


I love the 'carnival' aspect of it, however do we really think the Gallops would allow such a big carnival to potentially impact on their exposure at that time of the year?

They would rule the roost, their carnival at that time of the year get's maximum media exposure and boy oh boy, we'd be fighting our asses off to be heard/seen.

Love the concept of carnivals though bigtime.

The gallops can kiss my hairy hindquarters : )

Every Friday and Saturday night there's one or two gallops meetings. It really pisses me off when I've got to switch between Sky 1 & 2 because of a race at the Valley, Canterbury or the Sunshine Coast.

Not sure if any of you guys have been to the gallops lately ? I've been to Randwick a couple of times since I've returned from the States and they don't give a toss any longer about attracting families. They're all about the bucks and hens night piss upathons. Harness Racing could absolutely steal it away from them by having a great Carnival of Racing, Easter Show etc geared to the family. Menangle is 2 hours away from Randwick in traffic, City folk aren't coming anyway.

[Harold Parker]

Dunno if you guys watched the short film re the Cup and Saucer in Canada. I've not been to it but Delaware is similar albeit on a bigger scale.

Menangle could very much eclipse the Jug etc and have a world class racing event and they've the real estate out there to do it. Most of the carnivals above cost an arm and a leg to go to. Royal Ascot seriously for the 5 days in accommodation nearby set you back 2K easy before you've had a bet. It's way beyond the means of the average punter. I've not been to the Spring Carnival for 15 years at least, I bet it's the same now. They could very much make Menangle an affordable and viable Easter Holidays option for families.

The thing is as well, once enterprises get a sniff of how big something like this could be, they'll jump over themselves to have their product or services involved.

It just takes a little courage and initiative.

[Harold Parker]

HRNSW, think of the sponsorship opportunities. One race meeting with the lot limits your potential. 9-10 days worth is gold.

Channel 10 on a Sunday do 5 hours of Iron Men and Woman every couple of weeks. Championship Sunday from Menangle on Network 10 ... I like : )

[Harold Parker]

Harness Racing is also a lot easier on the eye now too for the part time / new participant. There's a lot less whipping nowadays and on the big tracks like Menangle, once a horse is done, it's done. No flogging a dead horse so to speak.

It's absolutely ready for mainstream again.

[Danno]

Like your thinking Robert!I think the concept is the type of out of the box thinking required to help our game regain some valuable lost ground and I can really visualise the whole thing. Well done! Now just need to sell it to the right people so they can on-sell it to the right people.

[Harold Parker]

I spoke to a few of the WA locals last night. They'd come for a week, one night is a waste of time : )

[murray green]

I spoke to a few of the WA locals last night. They'd come for a week, one night is a waste of time : )


Thought even more about this....ring this guy. He is easy to talk to & will listen .

NSWHRC Racing Manager David Wonson on 0438 398 251.

[2minuteman]

[QUOTE=Harold Parker;18022]

As is the case in nearly all of the major carnivals in the EU and US it would need to coincide with the school holidays and with Menangle being out in the sticks, land could be set aside both inside the track and surrounding areas for caravans and cabins etc as well as a place for a show with rides etc The Oakbank carnival at Easter is exactly that and they have families camping out there that have been going yearly for over 40 years.It is the largest picnic race meeting in the world.It is about the same distance from Adelaide as Menangle is from Sydney but Menangle has a much larger population adjacent to the course.I have said previously on this forum that the powers that be are ignoring this market.Do the clubs have a Marketing strategy at all?I would suggest that they do not.Marketing is not putting an advt.in the paper or jumping on an industry radio/TV show and pushing the company line.Marketing is giving your prospective customer enough information to make a considered decision to purchase and then delivering the product in such a way that they become a RETURN CUSTOMER.

I'd have it at Easter (not too hot not too cold), so why not an Easter Show to take on "the" Easter Show. Harness Racing Carnival.
Think about the Golden Slipper Carnival here.
Friday : ID Heats, Derby Heats.
Monday : ID Heats, Ladyship Mile, Oaks Heats.
Thursday : ID Heats, Chariots of Fire.
Sunday : ID Final, Derby, Oaks.
Murray has a point here about Nero's banquet and then what?I know we also have the Miracle Mile,Len Smith Mile etc. etc.
but should we not be using all of the major races/meetings as a bait to get the unconverted to try the product and then give them reasons to return?This would mean value adding to the experience and here the options are limited only by imagination and a bit of work.Which means that with the current mob the idea would be dead in the water before we start.

I'd also have :

Trotting Classic. 2 Heats on the Thursday? with the final on Sunday.
MO-M1 2 Heats + Final.
M2-M5? 2 Heats + Final.
C1-C4 2 Heats + Final.
+ 1 race on each day for Country trained horses who qualified in the bush.
Looking at the programme in total I make the following comments,
The Inter is too compressed being over 9 days A final field of knackered horses would surely result.Smokin Up would be a certainty.
Would it be asking a lot of C0 and up owners trainers drivers and horses to pay up/back up twice in four days.
I also like the idea of an invitation race on Grand Final Day open for the first two home in the mares race, first two in the Chariots of Fire with the remaining spots filled by horses who just missed a place in the ID Final. How does 100K sound ? as well as a consolation for 17th+ carrying the equiv prize money of an ID Heat.
Sounds good but is it over egging the pudding?
To summarise,what has been suggested is an idea that is worthwhile and outside of the square (which means the "powers that be" will dismiss it out of hand,)and it should lead to further discussion (but probably won't.)
I am sure the concept will appeal to the converted but we should be looking further than that.
(Having said that we should look outside of the square I am not lending support to the bastardisation of the Inter Dominions.)
P.S. Why do the "powers that be" never contribute to the discussions and points raised on this Forum?Beneath their dignity I suppose.
P.P.S.This is written with the perspective of someone who loves the sport and quite often goes to the track for the racing and maybe having a bet.Anyone for Newcastle on Thursdays?

[The Form Student]

What about a free bus from Campbelltown station would be a start!

[Harold Parker]

[QUOTE=Harold Parker;18022]

As is the case in nearly all of the major carnivals in the EU and US it would need to coincide with the school holidays and with Menangle being out in the sticks, land could be set aside both inside the track and surrounding areas for caravans and cabins etc as well as a place for a show with rides etc The Oakbank carnival at Easter is exactly that and they have families camping out there that have been going yearly for over 40 years.It is the largest picnic race meeting in the world.It is about the same distance from Adelaide as Menangle is from Sydney but Menangle has a much larger population adjacent to the course.I have said previously on this forum that the powers that be are ignoring this market.Do the clubs have a Marketing strategy at all?I would suggest that they do not.Marketing is not putting an advt.in the paper or jumping on an industry radio/TV show and pushing the company line.Marketing is giving your prospective customer enough information to make a considered decision to purchase and then delivering the product in such a way that they become a RETURN CUSTOMER.

I'd have it at Easter (not too hot not too cold), so why not an Easter Show to take on "the" Easter Show. Harness Racing Carnival.
Think about the Golden Slipper Carnival here.
Friday : ID Heats, Derby Heats.
Monday : ID Heats, Ladyship Mile, Oaks Heats.
Thursday : ID Heats, Chariots of Fire.
Sunday : ID Final, Derby, Oaks.
Murray has a point here about Nero's banquet and then what?I know we also have the Miracle Mile,Len Smith Mile etc. etc.
but should we not be using all of the major races/meetings as a bait to get the unconverted to try the product and then give them reasons to return?This would mean value adding to the experience and here the options are limited only by imagination and a bit of work.Which means that with the current mob the idea would be dead in the water before we start.

I'd also have :

Trotting Classic. 2 Heats on the Thursday? with the final on Sunday.
MO-M1 2 Heats + Final.
M2-M5? 2 Heats + Final.
C1-C4 2 Heats + Final.
+ 1 race on each day for Country trained horses who qualified in the bush.
Looking at the programme in total I make the following comments,
The Inter is too compressed being over 9 days A final field of knackered horses would surely result.Smokin Up would be a certainty.
Would it be asking a lot of C0 and up owners trainers drivers and horses to pay up/back up twice in four days.
I also like the idea of an invitation race on Grand Final Day open for the first two home in the mares race, first two in the Chariots of Fire with the remaining spots filled by horses who just missed a place in the ID Final. How does 100K sound ? as well as a consolation for 17th+ carrying the equiv prize money of an ID Heat.
Sounds good but is it over egging the pudding?
To summarise,what has been suggested is an idea that is worthwhile and outside of the square (which means the "powers that be" will dismiss it out of hand,)and it should lead to further discussion (but probably won't.)
I am sure the concept will appeal to the converted but we should be looking further than that.
(Having said that we should look outside of the square I am not lending support to the bastardisation of the Inter Dominions.)
P.S. Why do the "powers that be" never contribute to the discussions and points raised on this Forum?Beneath their dignity I suppose.
P.P.S.This is written with the perspective of someone who loves the sport and quite often goes to the track for the racing and maybe having a bet.Anyone for Newcastle on Thursdays?

*The Rosehill / Randwick Easter Carnival shouldn't be an issue. I say stuff the thoroughbreds and let's go head to head to with them. If they don't like it, too bad. IMO both carnivals will cater for a different market. Worst case race Thursday and Sunday, leave them Saturday and Monday. We return for Thursday and Sunday again a week later.

*They're running all those features on a single day mate for the next 3 years, check the media release from HRNSW. I'm spreading them over four race days over 9-10 days.

*I'm not a horseman but I've seen horses on my travels pace 1.50 Miles twice on the one day a few hours apart. If Bart runs a horse 10-12F on Saturday for a 2 Mile race on Tuesday our more durable standardbred is up to the task and besides it's the Interdominion. Show them the $$$ and they'll be there.

[Harold Parker]

There are options of course. If the 4 races is an issue and let's face it, it probably will be, they could kick off with 4 ID Heats of 9 horses, the winners go through to the final. Another round of 4 Heats of 8 Horses a few days later and the winners again go through. So that's 8 winners into the ID Grand Final. Now to make it 10 how about the Chariots of Fire and Ladyship Mile winners take the final two spots. That was a suggestion. It's not much different from what they're going to do but better.

I want a kick arse World Class Harness Racing Carnival. Why not ?

[aussiebreno]

There are options of course. If the 4 races is an issue and let's face it, it probably will be, they could kick off with 4 ID Heats of 9 horses, the winners go through to the final. Another round of 4 Heats of 8 Horses a few days later and the winners again go through. So that's 8 winners into the ID Grand Final. Now to make it 10 how about the Chariots of Fire and Ladyship Mile winners take the final two spots. That was a suggestion. It's not much different from what they're going to do but better.

I want a kick arse World Class Harness Racing Carnival. Why not ?
Instead of the ID maybe a Sydney Cup/Ben Hur could be the name.

[2minuteman]

[QUOTE=Harold Parker;18236][QUOTE=2minuteman;18217]

*The Rosehill / Randwick Easter Carnival shouldn't be an issue. I say stuff the thoroughbreds and let's go head to head to with them. If they don't like it, too bad. IMO both carnivals will cater for a different market. Worst case race Thursday and Sunday, leave them Saturday and Monday. We return for Thursday and Sunday again a week later.
It is not only the Slipper you need to accommodate (even if it does fall on Easter 40% of the time) but also the Sydney Carnival is to be held over the late March to late April time span.The ATC have made it quite clear that they will be promoting this carnival as Sydney's answer to the Melbourne Cup Carnival (good luck).Dismissing the competion does not make it go way.How much media oxygen do you think will be left for harness racing after it has all gone to the Slipper,Doncaster,Sydney Cup,Ranvet Stakes etc. etc when the largest pacing event of the year,the Inter Dominions is getting no free to air TV,minimal press and token coverage on industry media?
Different markets?Show me the research that backs this statement.Both will be chasing the discretionary spend and once it has been spent it has gonski. It gets back to marketing.Because you need clear air for your message (and what would that be?) to penetrate, be recognised and then acted upon,how do you achieve that when the awareness of the Slipper,in particular starts late the year before?
*They're running all those features on a single day mate for the next 3 years, check the media release from HRNSW. I'm spreading them over four race days over 9-10 days.Not relevant to the argument.

*I'm not a horseman but I've seen horses on my travels pace 1.50 Miles twice on the one day a few hours apart. If Bart runs a horse 10-12F on Saturday for a 2 Mile race on Tuesday our more durable standardbred is up to the task and besides it's the Interdominion. Show them the $$$ and they'll be there.
Point taken, but both instances are the result of specialist training regimes.

[2minuteman]

[QUOTE=Harold Parker;18238]There are options of course. If the 4 races is an issue and let's face it, it probably will be, they could kick off with 4 ID Heats of 9 horses, the winners go through to the final. Another round of 4 Heats of 8 Horses a few days later and the winners again go through. So that's 8 winners into the ID Grand Final. Which creates bias both ways.If you run the first round of heats on Sunday the winners then have a rest for the week and the next heats on Thursday allow two days rest.With only winners going through we would see some fair dinkum racing thoughNow to make it 10 how about the Chariots of Fire and Ladyship Mile winners take the final two spots. That was a suggestion. It's not much different from what they're going to do but better.How about we leave the Inter Dominions alone and start something new?

I want a kick arse World Class Harness Racing Carnival. Why not ?No argument here but how,what,why and when are not so simple but they are hard enough for the current crew to not be interested.

[2minuteman]

Instead of the ID maybe a Sydney Cup/Ben Hur could be the name.

The Ben Hur and Chariots of Fire would be the Daily Double of course!

[2minuteman]

What about a free bus from Campbelltown station would be a start!

It would indeed be a start,but who will fire the starters gun?

[Harold Parker]

[QUOTE=Harold Parker;18238]There are options of course. If the 4 races is an issue and let's face it, it probably will be, they could kick off with 4 ID Heats of 9 horses, the winners go through to the final. Another round of 4 Heats of 8 Horses a few days later and the winners again go through. So that's 8 winners into the ID Grand Final. Which creates bias both ways.If you run the first round of heats on Sunday the winners then have a rest for the week and the next heats on Thursday allow two days rest.With only winners going through we would see some fair dinkum racing thoughNow to make it 10 how about the Chariots of Fire and Ladyship Mile winners take the final two spots. That was a suggestion. It's not much different from what they're going to do but better.How about we leave the Inter Dominions alone and start something new?

I want a kick arse World Class Harness Racing Carnival. Why not ?No argument here but how,what,why and when are not so simple but they are hard enough for the current crew to not be interested.

*The second round of heats would be on the Monday following the first round. So they'd have 5 days at least. The bias of the first round heat winners is negligible and besides they've earned it.

*There's never going to be a "perfect" set up to please everyone. You do the best you can, put up the $$$ and they'll come.

*As for the thoroughbreds, stuff them.

[murray green]

Interdoms future ?????

I posted this on your other thread & you make more sense to me than Sams idea .

And after reading Sams baby again , IMO its stupid.... 7 winners , they select their barrier so they fight amongst themselves who gets what one or pull it out of a hat or something ...who goes first in that situation.....the runners up make up the rest of the field..... they are there just making up the numbers cause they aren't good enough in the first place . The heats will attract the GOOD horses & the also rans as per usual , the GOOD will go through . The rest struggling to make the final , but they will have no hope in the final because of the barrier draw.....There has to be a better way & a few on this forum would have to agree . Some have even suggested other ways better than Sams .

[Harold Parker]

How about the first week in October ? the Monday following the Grand Final is a public holiday in Sydney. It's also the start of the school holidays. So no sport other than the league GF on the Sunday night, no Friday night football etc.

Race Friday, Monday, Thursday, Sunday. It's not Easter but no reason why they couldn't put on something similar. Fair meets are massive in the US and I guess here too re the Oakbank example on the page 1 or 2.

[The Form Student]

How about the first week in October ? the Monday following the Grand Final is a public holiday in Sydney. It's also the start of the school holidays. So no sport other than the league GF on the Sunday night, no Friday night football etc.

Race Friday, Monday, Thursday, Sunday. It's not Easter but no reason why they couldn't put on something similar. Fair meets are massive in the US and I guess here too re the Oakbank example on the page 1 or 2.

Where are we going to camp?...........down by the Menangle river?................"Once a jolly jumbuck camped by a Billabong"........

[Harold Parker]

Where are we going to camp?...........down by the Menangle river?................"Once a jolly jumbuck camped by a Billabong"........

There's a ton of space in and around the track.

[The Form Student]

There's a ton of space in and around the track.

Sorry, was only doing a bit of stirring!.............you will even make the 2 hour trip to Menangle?........then I'm coming just to see that!........perhaps it could be tied in with the Campbelltown Show, which used to get held at Menangle (not sure if it does these days?).........and the Fishers Ghost Festival......leverage off these events? Maybe, entice outside the metro area & interstate horses with special races and concessions.........a couple of celebrity events will also get the crowds in...............

[little fish]

Not sure the inter dominion should be involved but the idea of having a carnival ala oakbank or the jug sounds like something I'd like to attend.

[2minuteman]

Sorry, was only doing a bit of stirring!.............you will even make the 2 hour trip to Menangle?........then I'm coming just to see that!........perhaps it could be tied in with the Campbelltown Show, which used to get held at Menangle (not sure if it does these days?).........and the Fishers Ghost Festival......leverage off these events? Maybe, entice outside the metro area & interstate horses with special races and concessions.........a couple of celebrity events will also get the crowds in...............
Get discussion going and ideas follow! Those in the ivory tower please take note.Wha...Wha...was that an airborne porker going by?

[2minuteman]

Not sure the inter dominion should be involved but the idea of having a carnival ala oakbank or the jug sounds like something I'd like to attend.
Ditto the above

[Harold Parker]

Interdominion should definitely be involved. Get the best horses in Australasia out there at least a couple times and perhaps a third re my format idea.

I'm going to get a couple of other things off my chest too.

The signage for people driving to Menangle is a joke. They have proposals in with the council to have them but why wasn't this done years ago ?

Menangle in conjunction with Sky should be getting the fractions up on TV ASAP. They have someone sitting on a PC telling the folks at home what horses are in the first four in the run. It should be a cinch to get the times up. Be the first.

[doinmabest]

Menangle in conjunction with Sky should be getting the fractions up on TV ASAP. They have someone sitting on a PC telling the folks at home what horses are in the first four in the run. It should be a cinch to get the times up. Be the first. Hi Rob, I know not everyone views with audio but I do give the splits during the calls......Always quarters, try to be clever enough to give the first half..... I would love to see a three quarter split somewhere on the semaphore board as I am definately not clever enough to add the three quarters together to give three quarter split whilst concentrating on the race......

[broncobrad]

IMO the new format for ID should be called the interstate challenge plus one out of our backside and throw in a couple of placegetters we deem fit to grace our presence. It is no more than a bastardisation of the National Sprint or Distance Championships the greyhound fraternity run, with a great deal of pride, pomp and ceremony I might add. Just because HRNSW got the rights for the ID what right do they have to cut the guts out of tradition, (and don't throw the heat farce that occurred in Perth up, that was a one off). See the outline for HRNSW brave new plan on http://www.harnesslink.com/www/Article.cgi?ID=96317

[Triple V]

I've been fortunate in the last decade or so to of spent a couple of three year blocks in the EU and the US for work. I've attended pretty much any major racing carnival you can think of.

Gallops wise I've done all the English majors including the jumps, the Arc in France, Ireland twice and one trip to Germany. In the US I've done the Derby twice and four Breeders Cups. Dubai is on the bucket list : )

I'm a Harness Racing fan first and foremost and when I lived in the States I was only 15 mins from Yonkers and an easy trip to the Meadowlands so I've done all the majors at both venues, I've been to the Jug twice and driven to Baltimore, Dover, Florida, Illinois and one trip to Canada for a meeting or three.

My point is I believe I've a good understanding of what makes a truly great racing carnival and I believe Harness Racing NSW could have at least the best Harness Racing Carnival in the World.

As is the case in nearly all of the major carnivals in the EU and US it would need to coincide with the school holidays and with Menangle being out in the sticks, land could be set aside both inside the track and surrounding areas for caravans and cabins etc as well as a place for a show with rides etc

I'd have it at Easter (not too hot not too cold), so why not an Easter Show to take on "the" Easter Show. How many locals out that way make the trip to Homebush to get ripped off every year ? Bring the Easter Show to them and other families who will make the trip not only for the Easter Show as well as those who come to town for what is a little over a week long Harness Racing Carnival.

As for the racing, here goes...

Friday : ID Heats, Derby Heats.
Monday : ID Heats, Ladyship Mile, Oaks Heats.
Thursday : ID Heats, Chariots of Fire.
Sunday : ID Final, Derby, Oaks.

I'd also have :

Trotting Classic. 2 Heats on the Thursday? with the final on Sunday.
MO-M1 2 Heats + Final.
M2-M5? 2 Heats + Final.
C1-C4 2 Heats + Final.
+ 1 race on each day for Country trained horses who qualified in the bush.

I also like the idea of an invitation race on Grand Final Day open for the first two home in the mares race, first two in the Chariots of Fire with the remaining spots filled by horses who just missed a place in the ID Final. How does 100K sound ? as well as a consolation for 17th+ carrying the equiv prize money of an ID Heat.

The Friday could be moved forward to the Thursday night if Good Friday is an issue.

I had a few hours to kill on the flight over :p


[VVV] I just wanted to bring this to the fore once more.
The very start of the thread.
I sincerely hope some of our esteemed NSW officialdom are reading this and getting a few ideas.
HP, I'll say it again...this is excellent.

[Harold Parker]

[VVV] I just wanted to bring this to the fore once more.
The very start of the thread.
I sincerely hope some of our esteemed NSW officialdom are reading this and getting a few ideas.
HP, I'll say it again...this is excellent.

Thanks mate.

The set up for the ID next year, is everything bar the kitchen sink on the one night.

I caught the early flight after the final in Perth and got out to Menangle for Ladies night a few weeks back. It pissed down with rain most of the week and pretty much never stopped all night. If it not for the Torque In Motion gang who accounted for 50% of the crowd, it was empty.

Easter is perfect. Menangle might as well be in the other Hemisphere re the perceived clash with the gallops. If you've been to the races on a Saturday recently, there's nothing family orientated about it. I took a few mates who were out from the States in February to Randwick and it was embarrassing. If barefoot inebriated chicks wearing next to nothing throwing up on Alison Rd is your thing, enjoy a day at the races ... Harness Racing should go after families, put on a Harness Racing Show / Carnival over Easter, the best horses will come and so will the crowds, all week long.

It's time to grow a pair and come out from under the thumb of the thoroughbreds. Do you think they give a toss about Harness Racing when they race under lights. What a fizzer that is.

[Harold Parker]

Rehab over ... how about the world's best Harness Racing Carnival out at Menangle. The track, surrounding areas absolutely tailor made for it. The block right next door is for sale too. Grab a piece of that. Get some power on it, caravan and cabin central. Get more permanent stabling there. Visiting trainers at other times could live there etc

Anyway just thinking out aloud.

[Triple V]

Speaking of Menangle, a Hell of a lot of construction going on out there. Extension to the grandstand, new race day stabling etc. Add to that the much awaited Permanent on-course stabling/training barns and it's going to be something to behold when it's all finally completed.

[The Form Student]

Speaking of Menangle, a Hell of a lot of construction going on out there. Extension to the grandstand, new race day stabling etc. Add to that the much awaited Permanent on-course stabling/training barns and it's going to be something to behold when it's all finally completed.

Maybe Westfields should look at putting a shopping centre out there, on the vacant lot HP'er said is for sale!!!

[Triple V]

Nah, Frank Lowy will be too busy spending his $ getting the new Western Sydney team into the A League in 2012/13 Season.