All runners to...same colour concept as the....WTF????????

[Triple V]

Harness fans, WE NEED YOU!

08 May 2012
by Dale Walker


http://www.harness.org.au/news/images/logos/HRNSW-2.gif



http://www.harness.org.au/news/images/main/5539.jpg We Want You.


As of today HRNSW is running a competition for all of our Facebook followers in relation to a fast paced series at Menangle during the month of July. Our working concept has been called the ‘Hot Foot Series’, but we NEED YOU to come up with something better and more catchy.
YOU have one week to get your thinking caps on and market a name for the following;
*Six races (heats) each Monday for three weeks to be run at 20 minute intervals.
*Six finals on the fourth Monday worth $12,000 each
*All races over 1000 metres.
*All runners will carry coloured coded silks and saddle cloths, same colour concept as the greyhounds.
The winner with the best name will receive a $200 TAB betting voucher whilst two runners up will get to pick an item from the HRNSW Merchandise store.
So, what are you waiting for, get thinking and come up with a name with a twist.
All you have to do is join the HRNSW page on Facebook and enter your thoughts. Good luck...

Harness Racing NSW (HRNSW) is the controlling body for harness racing in New South Wales with responsibility for commercial and regulatory management of the industry including 31 racing clubs across the State. HRNSW is headed by an industry-appointed Board of Directors and is independent of Government.
To arrange an interview or for further information please contact:
Name: Dale Walker
Position: Marketing Manager
Phone: (02) 9722 6600
Email: dwalker@hrnsw.com.au

-----------------

Just when I thought I had seen it all, or at least a very large slice thereof.
*All runners will carry coloured coded silks and saddle cloths, same colour concept as the greyhounds. No Owners colours, instead the same colour concept as the Greyhounds? THAT'S AN ABSOLUTE SHOCKER!
Why don't we have a freaking rabbit on a stick whizzing around inside the pylons as well?
Not one of your greatest ideas fellas. Tell Sky Channel to go jam it up their clackers. Harness Racing should never be reduced to an Equine version of Dog Lotto.

[ojc]

If it is possible to run races 20 minutes apart for this concept at July Monday meetings why is it impossible to do the same at regular Monday meetings? It is brain numbing to endure the interval between races at Monday and Tuesday meetings.

[p plater]

VVV, spot on, I understand there will be a special trainers award for the first horse to "Cock his Leg".

[Triple V]

I don't have any great problem with any other aspect of it...even the 1000m scamper which is hardly a race IMO but nonetheless...it's all fairly reasonable, save the changes to Colours.

If the TAB/Sky think for one minute that they're going to force Greyhound colours onto us then they've got another thing coming. They'll have to rip ours from my dead clenched fist. This is burning torch and pitchfork stuff.

Perhaps they should also go and tell some of the big TB Owners/Stables/Studs etc. that they too have to race in Greyhound colours. Go & tell Singo or Gerry Harvey their horses'll now be racing in whatever colour coded clap trap the dishlickers run with. No doubt the responses would be unprintable/unrepeatable.

This is another one of those 'grab a lump of wood and club it to death before it grows wings and flies' moments.
It's the thin edge of the wedge. If it's not given a nice old seeing to by one and all, well, before you know it there'll be Strappers wandering around in cheap looking hired Tuxedos & they'll have Fred doing Windy Peak Chardonnay ads between races and the whole thing will go to Hell in a Hand Cart.

[clumsy]

Stop being such big cry babies over a set of colours, let's wait and see what the punters think of the idea.

[Triple V]

As far as the colours go, I don't think they'll give a bugger. No doubt some boffin or infestation thereof, trapped for 8hrs a day in a pre-fab cubical down at Pyrmont, has come up with the race in Dogs colours and shorten the race distance aspects....but they've got the the real hook almost as an afterthought, the shortening of intervals between races to 20mins. That's the single smartest change that they could make for the Punters. 1/2 an hour's too long.

[mightymo]

I am one of the few owners who actually have their own colours, and i dont have any real problem with trying something different.

The reality is we need to try different things and if this happens to work and create more interest and in turn more revenues for the industry, then Im prepared to forego my colours even if i do enjoy seeing them go round.

The main problem with our industry as a whole is that everyone from breeders, to owners to trainers and drivers are all so protective of their own interests, that nobody really considers what is good for harness racing...

[NormanS]

Just when I thought I had seen it all, or at least a very large slice thereof.
*All runners will carry coloured coded silks and saddle cloths, same colour concept as the greyhounds. No Owners colours, instead the same colour concept as the Greyhounds? THAT'S AN ABSOLUTE SHOCKER!
Why don't we have a freaking rabbit on a stick whizzing around inside the pylons as well?
Not one of your greatest ideas fellas. Tell Sky Channel to go jam it up their clackers. Harness Racing should never be reduced to an Equine version of Dog Lotto.

As long as they don't market it as "same as the greyhounds"...

Having written that, You know when nominating what the conditions are, don't like the conditions don't nominate is one option. But is it not also similar to the League teams changing their shirts for one round to support a cause?

If it generates extra interest, investment, it can't all be bad

[clumsy]

I am one of the few owners who actually have their own colours, and i dont have any real problem with trying something different.

The reality is we need to try different things and if this happens to work and create more interest and in turn more revenues for the industry, then Im prepared to forego my colours even if i do enjoy seeing them go round.

The main problem with our industry as a whole is that everyone from breeders, to owners to trainers and drivers are all so protective of their own interests, that nobody really considers what is good for harness racing...

So true, if we are to move forward we must accept new ideas or at the very least give them a trial.

[Daryll Jackson]

Fair Dinkum some of you blokes would boo Santa Claus. HRNSW looking outside the square to increase turnover and we get all the negatives. Did not see in press release where it was compulsory for you to nominate. Answer simply don't race on Mondays where you will be forced to wear silks that are going to make the public easy to follow their horse and increase turnover. Greyhounds are way in front of harness in turnover despite this harness get a bigger cut of the pool. Asked to wear these silks for $12,000 prizemoney for final aside what you may win in heats is too much you guys would be for better off wearing the old family favourites on a Tuesday for $5,500

[2minuteman]

We sat with a couple of Victorian owners at the ID10 final and they were adamant that we would see 800m races sooner rather than later.At the time I thought "no,never" but now? Why not?

[2minuteman]

Having had a further think about this,why not have a go.Only thing is,announced 8 May to run in July.Does not seem like a plan rather that some-one's had a brain wave That is not to rubbish the idea,it just seems a bit ad-hoc.

[geoffkel]

I wish people would stop complaining. It is something different and well worth a try.

[Chariots]

I think that this idea has been about for two years and is just starting to come to fruition. We are going out backwards at the moment so worth giving it a try but of course the "old school" will have a field day. Not an industry that embraces any kind of change readily.

[Tangles]

The Greyhounds are tanning our butts in TAB turnover why wouln,t the administrators obsessed withTAB/electronic punter not look at dressing up harness racing as psuedo greyhound racing. Perhaps we could stick fibro cut outs of greyhounds on the sides of the sulkies. South Australia already races for stakes less than the puppies.

[broncobrad]

Something new. What on earth is there to be scared of? I reckon trainers will support this big time. Running it over 4 consecutive weeks will give all and sundry every opportunity to gauge how successful it will be, both by revenue and as a visual spectacle. They have built a track for speed, why not give it a burn. Could be the perfect series for some of the speedy squibs that can't get the mile.

If it fails, it fails. What is the worst thing that can happen? An experiment that fails. So what. Punters will still bet on them around the pubs and clubs. Minimal risk for a possible gain.

On the colours, taking it one step further, especially from a club/pub perspective, the punter who bets on whatever is next up on the screen would soon be able to start identifying his horses better over the background noise or lack of volume, with a longer term possibility of wagering increasing on the sport. Of course this is not what the purists would like to see in the long term (myself included) but if it is the way of the future, so be it. Small price to pay.

[broncobrad]

The Greyhounds are tanning our butts in TAB turnover why wouln,t the administrators obsessed withTAB/electronic punter not look at dressing up harness racing as psuedo greyhound racing. Perhaps we could stick fibro cut outs of greyhounds on the sides of the sulkies. South Australia already races for stakes less than the puppies.

Instead of fibro cut outs of greyhounds, why not attach well known dog food brands to the sulkies, like MEATIE BITES, PAL, CHUM etc. We might be able to attract new corporate sponsorhips and the signs can send subliminal messages to the horses they are attached to, to go quicker or else....

[aussiebreno]

The Greyhounds are tanning our butts in TAB turnover why wouln,t the administrators obsessed withTAB/electronic punter not look at dressing up harness racing as psuedo greyhound racing. Perhaps we could stick fibro cut outs of greyhounds on the sides of the sulkies. South Australia already races for stakes less than the puppies.


Fair Dinkum some of you blokes would boo Santa Claus. HRNSW looking outside the square to increase turnover and we get all the negatives. Did not see in press release where it was compulsory for you to nominate. Answer simply don't race on Mondays where you will be forced to wear silks that are going to make the public easy to follow their horse and increase turnover. Greyhounds are way in front of harness in turnover despite this harness get a bigger cut of the pool. Asked to wear these silks for $12,000 prizemoney for final aside what you may win in heats is too much you guys would be for better off wearing the old family favourites on a Tuesday for $5,500
Half false, it doesn't truly reflect the situation.

Per capita, per race, per horse however you want to put it we are in front. But because they have double the races they end up with a higher figure in the 'total' column.
Because they have double the meetings they also have more costs associated with putting them on Sky which is why their cut is smaller.

And if you did want to follow greyhounds into something to increase TAB turnover...it would be getting rid of drivers and the horses steering themselves.

[G-Mac]

Pinjarra HRC have been running a similar concept for a couple of years called "Super 9s".
http://www.harness.org.au/meeting-results.cfm?mc=PA050312&ms=wa
They schedule the meet for the Labour Day public holiday in March each year. 9 races, 9 per race, all run over a mile, and drivers where the silks as described in HRNSW's release. Seems to have been a success as they have no plans to change it. I don't mind the novelty factor and it is positive if it makes more people tune in. 20 minutes between races is good also. The only negative for me is 1000m races.

[Thevoiceofreason]

This has been for me an interesting debate so I have decided to add my views and some facts.

1 Set Colors

As a concept I love the idea because most punters have no idea of the different owners colors and it makes it difficult for them to follow a horses in a race, however that is only conceptually, if I was an owner footing the bills I want my colors going around, the answer is very simple have set colors for the saddle cloths make them bigger so they can be seen and have a cloth cover for the helmet same as the saddle cloth color this way the punter can follow and the owner or stable get to use their silks, a win without a loss to anyone and some gains in ease for the viewer.

2 Distance

Not a drama for mine, in NSW we have already run a couple of sky series where the races were run down to 1300m also Fairfield ran 1300m dashes as well, the industry did not grind to a halt and in fact the races were pretty popular with good interest from a participation perspective and I think the turnover was good as well. It should be remembered the gallops can run 800m races but for the number of races they conduct we hardly see any.

3 Timing

This long term will be a bigger issue because harness has to fit into a bigger overall schedule including the 3 codes and a number of countries, there is already a major fight in the gallops where some states want to go back to 30 minute intervals others want to stay on 40. The fact is that when they tried the 30mins in Victoria recently with everyone else staying on the 40 mins split turnover overall went through the floor, we need to be careful. Across the world experts on wagering will tell you timing is everything. NSW harness racing is blessed in that regard because that is a field in which their CEO Sam Nati is an expert of the highest standard.

In relation to turnover and return to industry by the TAB, this is governed by an agreement that was worked out years ago based partly on approximation of turnover at the time. It is true that Harness is paid more than it produces and you would have to believe in the Easter Bunny if you think the other codes will continue to allow this to happen long term. Would Harness if it was earning more allow it, I think not.
The agreement called the Intracode is not easy to change but it will happen one day as surely as night follow day and harness needs to grow its turnover to ensure its returns.

Finally I am old enough to remember when Kerry Packer said we should play one day cricket in colored clothing, the establishment said it would not work, funny it did and now they have a found a new way to reinvent an old idea with 20X20 , already with a brand change to T20, again this will not work, try telling that to those playing in the Indian league or better still to their tax agents sure looks like its working to me.

Then we have Super League, god I hated it all these bloody stoppages so a bloke called the video ref can decide on a try I hated it because I was a traditionalist, now I love it and wonder how we ever decided on a try without it and yes I hate to admit it, it has added a new dimension to the game.

Does anyone honestly think Harness is going so well that some new dimensions might not help it

[Triple V]

If being able to identify colours is such a big deal....take me out to Randwick when they let them go from the Mile and point out the Punters with eyesight like Peregrine Falcons...the ones who can spot the colours in a pack in a TB race or better still, stand in any TAB, PubTAB or ClubTAB & point out same. Better still, find me a bunch of them that give a fat rats arse what colours they are wearing. Fair dinkum. Making it easier for the Punters to ID the colours...what a huge steaming load of old bollocks that is. Absolute crap. THEY FOLLOW NUMBERS FELLAS, NUMBERS!!!!!!
On that very score....Saddle Cloths with whapping great Numbers on them, that's another story. Great idea. Go for Gold! Colour Code the Hell out of those buggers...no problems...but as for the Owner's Colours...go to buggery, hands off, leave them alone, access denied. Forbidden.

[Daryll Jackson]

Oh dear Jamie THEY FOLLOW NUMBERS,NUMBERS you can not see the numbers the only winner here is OPSM If you watch a dog race do you look for the No1 or a red rug. Go the color move with the times very few people still have black and white televisions. If its going to be unbearable for you may not have to watch Menangle Mondays in July

[ojc]

Have a look at the following link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IUhFYsdBgYk at the bottom of the screen around the track go the colour coded numbers of the horses in their own race. Wait for horses to pass the post firs time for the numbers to appear. This system known as the Trakus chiclet system is available for harness and gallops tracks. I think Singapore gallops use it regularly. For those who have no idea of trainer, owner or driver colours or for that matter a horse's racing pattern and race tactics they can simply watch the red or the blue and boot home the colour of their choice. Trakus also provides form charts based on the distance horse has run and times at certain tracking points. Can we spend some money on this system here?

[dizzy]

Well Jamie finally seems we have something we can at least partially agree on . I think large colour coded numbers should be standardised across all tracks. As for the owners silks that is one thing I would personally, happily forgo infavour of driver colours as in America. That I think would benefit turnover and help to establish drivers as a more marketable commodity.

My mind is not made up about 1000m races but my instincts don't like it. As for punters correct me if I'm wrong but don't they steer away at menangle already because the form doesn't stack up from the smaller tracks. How do you do the form for these 1000m races then, or are these just supposed to be a lottery product?

[2minuteman]

Bloody typical,sit back,whinge,bitch,blame the committee,blame the government,blame anybody who doesn't agree with the status quo,blame anybody who agrees with the status quo,do something,do nothing and on and on.
New idea,sit back,whinge,bitch,blame the committee,blame the government,blame anybody who doesn't agree with the status quo,blame anybody who agrees with the status quo,do something,do nothing and on and on.

[Triple V]

It's pretty obvious that we're all here on this site banging away at each other...ultimately because we all want 1 thing, that which is the very best for the Harness Racing Industry.

At the same time some of those who are actually paid by the Industry to be of service to and to look after the best interest of the Industry are instead jockying for the next slot at the TAB and they're playing a big game of 'watch me go' in order to achieve that goal and far too often, intentionally or otherwise, at our expense.
Perhaps we're just factored into the bigger scheme of things, by them, as being a little 'collateral damage' along their road to greatness?
In much the same fashion as the ACTU is quite regularly used by the various Labor Party Factionistas as a stepping stone to Federal Politics, I've long feared Harness Racing could be/ is being used by similar creatures as a stepping stone to other things. That's a good reason why, when people you suspect to be TAB beholders, ride on into town & tell you that black is in fact white & red all over to boot...you need to at least take a moment to work out if they're still going to be here in 5 or 10 years time in order to answer for their sins if they're in fact wrong.

A late mate of mine used to speak with similar scorn and derision about the transient and all care but no responsibility nature of 'Consultants'.
"Oh look, there's an Industry that I can %$#& up and I can get paid to do it too" .....he would say as he flapped his outstretched arms in order to impersonate a huge Vulture and proceeded to circle the room, after a couple of passes then motioning to swoop down from on high in order to gorge itself at some poor insuspecting Industry's expense.

Is it just me, or do others also feel..circling above their heads, the disturbing presence of just such a metaphorical 'bird'?

[mango]

I think the idea of large number's or the coloured number's as the greyhounds wear has merit, but i don't agree with the driver colours like they do in America. I don't race many but when i do i like my colours to be worn and as i'm the one who pay's the bill i should hold that right, i think the American colours idea was bandy about a few years ago and if i remember rightly Mick (Lombo) Lombardo had a bit to say on this issue and he was against it.

[Triple V]

G'day Dallas,
The Drivers Colours Only idea came courtesy of Minty Man Number 1, now spokesman for Sportsbet.

[Triple V]

How do you do the form for these 1000m races then, or are these just supposed to be a lottery product?

BINGO! I was driving along in the car today talking to my brother and we hit on exactly the same question. This common ground that we're finding Dot, it's a bit unsettling huh?

[Triple V]

Oh dear Jamie THEY FOLLOW NUMBERS,NUMBERS you can not see the numbers the only winner here is OPSM If you watch a dog race do you look for the No1 or a red rug. Go the color move with the times very few people still have black and white televisions. If its going to be unbearable for you may not have to watch Menangle Mondays in July

[VVV] They're in order with their colours 1st-2nd-3rd-4th across the bottom of the screen Daryll. Maybe I inhabit the wrong places but nobody I've ever been with in the TAB or on course shouts out "GO THE BLACK WITH THE WHITE LIGHTNING BOLT, PURPLE CAP AND PINK CUFFS". :rolleyes:

[Thevoiceofreason]

It seems the colored cloths idea is getting some merit any views on the matching helmets leaving the owners colors as still there.

[Triple V]

I reckon could live with that VOR...the only technical issue at hand being the vastly different array of helmets worn, both old and new, and how in the Hell would you put one on/make it stay there? The Coloured cloths would have to have BIG/CLEARLY VISIBLE NUMBERS on them. That has a fair bit of merit.

[Thevoiceofreason]

I reckon could live with that VOR...the only technical issue at hand being the vastly different array of helmets worn, both old and new, and how in the Hell would you put one on/make it stay there? The Coloured cloths would have to have BIG/CLEARLY VISIBLE NUMBERS on them. That has a fair bit of merit.

From a technical aspect not a drama there are many different sizes of Jockey helmet across the would the best and I am told tried system is lycra covers they stretch well and with a good elastic band you will find they fit most helmet variations, needs to be bigger than Jockeys but I have no doubt it can work

[Triple V]

From a technical aspect not a drama there are many different sizes of Jockey helmet across the would the best and I am told tried system is lycra covers they stretch well and with a good elastic band you will find they fit most helmet variations, needs to be bigger than Jockeys but I have no doubt it can work

[VVV] Nice one. Good old Lycra.
We suffered its many and varied visual obscenities all throughout the 80's (those lycra pants that were everywhere and more often than not seen to be cladding less than built for lycra style bodies) only close on 30 years later to have it come to our aid. That sounds like a plan.
On the score of Lycra...here's a fair old slice of it. Just don't click on this unless your pace maker is in good order. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_fCqg92qks&ob=av2e
Now THAT'S Entertainment. :rolleyes: The bloke in the black shorts...he looks a lot like you VOR.

[eliteblood]

I know my eyesight is not great but there is no chance of me being able to identify runners by the different coloured caps that drivers might be wearing, or by the colour of the saddlecloth. By the way, Harold Park used to have a different coloured saddlecloth for each number.
Currently when I watch a race I distinguish horses because I generally know who the trainer is and therefore what colours it races in. It is very easy to see that the Robinson trained horse is leading from the Fitzpatrick trained horse, the Day trained horse is behind the leader and the Turnbull horse has galloped and is last, etc.

Under the proposal, after initially learning which colour corresponds to which number, (and assuming that my eyesight was good enough to identify the colours), I would be able to see that the pink (No 1) is leading from the green (No. 5), the black (No 3) is behind the leader and the blue (No. 8) has galloped and is last. Providing I have memorized the field and their barrier positions before each race there won't be a problem. I will easily be able to watch a race converting as I look at each runner the saddlecloth / cap colour to a barrier number to the perfectly memorised name of the horse that was drawn in that barrier.

I think I will stay in the restaurant and listen to Fred.

[Thevoiceofreason]

I know my eyesight is not great but there is no chance of me being able to identify runners by the different coloured caps that drivers might be wearing, or by the colour of the saddlecloth. By the way, Harold Park used to have a different coloured saddlecloth for each number.
Currently when I watch a race I distinguish horses because I generally know who the trainer is and therefore what colours it races in. It is very easy to see that the Robinson trained horse is leading from the Fitzpatrick trained horse, the Day trained horse is behind the leader and the Turnbull horse has galloped and is last, etc.

Under the proposal, after initially learning which colour corresponds to which number, (and assuming that my eyesight was good enough to identify the colours), I would be able to see that the pink (No 1) is leading from the green (No. 5), the black (No 3) is behind the leader and the blue (No. 8) has galloped and is last. Providing I have memorized the field and their barrier positions before each race there won't be a problem. I will easily be able to watch a race converting as I look at each runner the saddlecloth / cap colour to a barrier number to the perfectly memorised name of the horse that was drawn in that barrier.

I think I will stay in the restaurant and listen to Fred.

There is no doubt what you say is right to some degree, but the dogs have proved it works, punters do not have to think one is always the red ect .. for those that know the Trainers colors it is of zero assistance I agree but the truth is most punters do not know them, the HP numbers were not big enough to distinguish they need to be bigger if you are going to try it,

Many of our better punters will tell you they already use the driver helmets to follow a runner rather than the colors so it must work, I know in the Junior Drivers races where the leader in the pointscore always wore a yellow helmet cover it stuck out like dogs you know what.

Most Punters watch only one or two in a race the one they backed and the danger.

I just think it is better than taking away from the owners and trainers colors.

[eliteblood]

Bill,

I agree that it is better option than taking away the owners / trainers colours.
Most punters may only watch one or two runners and the proposed system would work well for those people. They would just need to watch the red and the green and ignore everything else (probably very much the case with greyhound punters with the race over so quickly) Incidentally, the greyhounds don't really have any option of identifying runners other than a box number related colour.
In your junior drivers example it would be quite simple to identify before a race that one standout helmet (yellow) is being worn by Radish. Impossible, IMO, to memorize 10 horses each race by virtue of their cap colour, unless your first name is Fred and your surname rhymes with pastings.

[eliteblood]

From a logistical perspective, should it be adopted that drivers race in colours that correspond to the barrier number, each club would need at least 24 and possibly more sets of dry colours and the same again in wet weather colours to buy and have laundered after each meeting.

[Danno]

Been a way for a few days in the bush with my bloody bill paying time consumer (job).

read most of the posts briefly on this thread, my personal opinion, for what it's worth, is that the whole concept is nothing new at all, it's just a collage' of copies!!

If thats the best our marketing people can come up with we are in bigger trouble than I have ever imagined!

Our game first suffered in the hands of "copiers' about thirty five years ago, when some self serving people convinced the administrators that we should copy the US racing product of mostly mobile racing, over usually shorter distances, on bigger tracks!! these same people were blessed with foresight weren't they?

This latest "brainchild" is basically telling us it's good idea to copy what the dogs are doing! Short races, consistent number/colour identification,short race intervals in a heats /finals sequence. Talk about being mentally challenged, I'd like to challenge the orchestrators of this bullshit to display where the data came from to support this mindless experiment. There'd be no surprises from where I'm sitting.

I am not the only person that has been saying we are inept at marketing our product these days, and I truly hope that this shortsighted, cheap idea does not get off the ground.

Shame on us for belittling the uniqueness of our brand to completely abandon it for a trashy, trashy cheap shot such as this.

SOMEBODY PLEASE EITHER SHOOT US OR SAVE US, to completey discard our point of difference is bloody MINDLESS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Triple V]

G'day all,

I just sent this to another forum and am reproducing it here. (if I can get the font to work properly)

............



There’s a basic inescapable biological aspect that none of these imbeciles ever seems to take into account and one that will always prevent Horse Racing in general from becoming the churn & burn poker machines on legs Dog Lotto style product that they so heinously desire and that is Greyhounds have multiple births...asopposed to 1 foal per year if you’re lucky.
They produce Litters of Pups each time & multiple litters a year (2 at least, sometimes 3 if you want to put the pressure on) and if from the resultant 4-5-6+ pups x 2 or 3 per year they find that better than 75% of them are flat out scooting to the letter box they just send them off to the grim reaper who for a few bucks knocks them on the head and buries them, and they go back and knock their ‘Bitch’ up again and the sausage machine continues unabated.

Horse Racing, both Harness and TB, has a completely different reproductive paradigm.....and so the $$$ and time invested in each ‘unit’ (Christ, I’m sounding like one of the the brain dead strokers that inhabit the respective TAB) is obviously far, far greater. They’d ALL do well to keep that in mind when they line up with their bullshit 1000m races bedecked in Greyhound colours proposals. What distresses me more than anything else is that our Industry Administrators, instead of focussing on what makes Harness Racing different from the Dishlickers, are falling in line to copy it.
The Barbarians are at the gate. We’ve got a swathe of shareholder beholding TAB bean counters & associated minions who want to/are prepared to take Harness Racing and cookie cutter it and belt it around and copy a totally different code and by way of doing so turn it into an equine version of Wentworth Park and it needs to be clubbed to death before it grows wings and flies.

[Chariots]

So basically what you are saying Triple is that administrators should just give up and not try to be innovative. I am not sure what rock you have been under but the product in the form that us diehard enthusiasts love is not getting the support of the punters to the extent required to preserve what we have let alone grow. Keep going down the current path by all means but you will be racing for ribbons in the not too distant futuRe.

[Danno]

G'day Ray,
mate I don't think anyone is saying that our administrators should just give up and go home, more that this particular "IDEA"? is NOT trying something different at all but a cheap and nasty copy of what someone else is doing. New ideas to market what we have/are is what we need for sure, but to change into something we are not in an effort gain short term attention??
My personal belief is that marketing strategy should be the games #1 priority, and anyone who knows anything on that subject will tell you "don't send mixed messages". I for one think this particular tripe was thought over a few too many beers and then refined throughout the subsequent hangover.
If you want people to believe in you and your product you DO NOT get wishy washy about what/who you are, the result if you do is a lack of trust in the eyes of the people your pitching to. I am not an expert on marketing but these are basics, pure basics and that is why cannot understand why this crappy, crappy proposal got as far as being aired, I am honestly completely bewildered!!!

Cheers,
Dan

[gutwagon]

If the turnover does improve on this race series how will they know if it was the greyhound colours, short breaks, short race distance or the extra publicity that caused the increase ? If they try to use the greyhound colours in all races they will have a war on their hands ! Is this what HRNSW really needs on the back of the crook stewards/drug scandal.
IMO the only good idea is the 20 min breaks between races .

[Triple V]

So basically what you are saying Triple is that administrators should just give up and not try to be innovative. I am not sure what rock you have been under but the product in the form that us diehard enthusiasts love is not getting the support of the punters to the extent required to preserve what we have let alone grow. Keep going down the current path by all means but you will be racing for ribbons in the not too distant futuRe.

[VVV] G'day Ray,
No, not at all. Far from it. Don't make the mistake of confusing a lack of enthusiasm for one or more of the ridiculous aspects of this idea with an across the board lack of desire for innovation. Also, be sure not to confuse actual innovation with that which is nothing more than an agreement to give a largely half arsed idea dreamt up by one or more of the shareholder beholding bozos at the TAB a spin.
Not all of this idea is bad, rather it's just that collectively it is.
A shortening of the gap between races is an EXCELLENT idea. I've long thought 1/2 an hour was too long. 20 mins is much better.
Horses wearing Large Numbered Colour Coded Saddle Cloths is also a good idea. I'd even go along with the Lycra skull cap covers of the same colour code etc. if that was thought to be a help BUT at the same time we MUST maintain the Owner's right to have his/her/their horse carry his/her/their colours.
The 1000m races, I think they're a bit of a wank myself but in saying that, they are no more no less of a wank than 2500m-2750m-3000m Standing Start events and we still have those rearing their ugly heads now & again.
No rock here mate...atop the odd soapbox now and again no doubt, but no rock.

[Triple V]

If the turnover does improve on this race series how will they know if it was the greyhound colours, short breaks, short race distance or the extra publicity that caused the increase ? If they try to use the greyhound colours in all races they will have a war on their hands ! Is this what HRNSW really needs on the back of the crook stewards/drug scandal.
IMO the only good idea is the 20 min breaks between races .

[VVV] I can't work out how they think anyone would be able to do the form on these shorter races? One of the big knocks the TAB surveys apparently revealed was that Harness Racing Form was thought by the average punter to be too hard to read...so the question follows as to how knocking 3 & a bit furlongs off the race distance makes the task of the Punter to decipher said form any easier? They'd tell us anything...TAB boffins, full of bullshit.

[Diablo]

Haven't read all posts on this topic but many owners and sponsors want to see their colours go around. The other aspect to consider is the race caller who has already logged colours to drivers from previous calls and will have to strain his brain a little harder.

[gutwagon]

With the mad rush to get to the lead in these 1000m races lets hope they don't have as much trouble on the first bend as the dishlickers do !! They might need a fleet of ambulances standing by, not to mention the damage to the horses

[doinmabest]

Greg,
My brain is well and truly strained already...lol.......It is something new and novel and I guess lets just see what unfolds....I get all the concerns but at least it is something a little left of centre that MIGHT just make a difference and it has succeeded in creating some interest within and outside the confines of this forum....

[Triple V]

Hey Fred, c'mon now, level with me here.
Seeing as how they're going to debase the whole thing by having a crack over 5 furlongs whilst wearing Dog colours...accordingly, are you going to roll with some of Ambrosoli's material and tout
http://www.debortoli.com.au/uploads/pics/Windy_Peak.jpg
...'The Windy Peak range' from De Bortoli's? :rolleyes:

[Thevoiceofreason]

Hey Fred, c'mon now, level with me here.
Seeing as how they're going to debase the whole thing by having a crack over 5 furlongs whilst wearing Dog colours...accordingly, are you going to roll with some of Ambrosoli's material and tout
http://www.debortoli.com.au/uploads/pics/Windy_Peak.jpg
...'The Windy Peak range' from De Bortoli's? :rolleyes:

Fred did many years at the dishlickers he will slide back in to no worries might even come with " the bunny to the boxes" just to remind you all it is one on those dog races.

Seriously though I am amazed how many negative comments this idea has raised, it is different it will create some interest in the sport on one of the quiet days and no doubt it will get publicity, all things good for the game.

[doinmabest]

Jaimie,
Have a great idea, instead of a mobile they could step from one of PA's Corinthian doors...I have procured his sponsors, Edroy Mowers and Chainsaws, De Costi Seafoods, Birdsville, where they only sell birds, Nick Scali of Ashfield...
See, at least it has us talking......

[doinmabest]

By The Way- HRNSW via their Facebook Page has announced the series will be known as the FLYING K

[aussiebreno]

By The Way- HRNSW via their Facebook Page has announced the series will be known as the FLYING K
Should look into sponsorship from Special K cereal.

[broncobrad]

Think Jaimies take on this will be 'he wont be giving a flying ...k what the series is called...unfortunately the idea DID grow wings and 'flew' before being clubbed to death. IMO, I am more than happy to see something different being offered to owners/trainers to consider. It is up to that section of participants to either support or reject the concept.

[Triple V]

Nah, I would never be so coarse as to suggest such a thing Brad. :rolleyes:
If they're going to be so cutting edge innovative with their ideas as to go with Greyhound Colours and the associated numbering...then why not go all the way and name it 'The Go Wild Teddy' ?
http://www.australianracinggreyhound.com/sires/gowildteddy/gwt2munt.JPG

[Triple V]

Should look into sponsorship from Special K cereal.

[VVV] The swishy looking bird in the ad. she wears a skimpy Red outfit...so that means she's the (1)...right?

[Tangles]

Flying K, and the K stands for kennels

[Triple V]

Indeed. K as it happens also stands for the infinitely effective horse tranquiliser and popular dance club drug, Ketamine...which as it also happens is very likely going to be what I'll need a large dose of moments before those once proud steeds leave the gate and proceed to lose their dignity by way of 1 the Red, 2 the Stripes...and so on.

[Triple V]

Jaimie,
Have a great idea, instead of a mobile they could step from one of PA's Corinthian doors...I have procured his sponsors, Edroy Mowers and Chainsaws, De Costi Seafoods, Birdsville, where they only sell birds, Nick Scali of Ashfield...
See, at least it has us talking......

[VVV] Now THAT'S FUNNY Fred. Love your work. I had completely forgotten about PA's Corinthian doors, especially so the byfolds with which he was clearly enamoured......and who could forget the DeCosti's Seafood tip that was slapped on the side of a nearby Snapper, especially flown in from South Australia for the occasion.

[gutwagon]

Obviously Sky want shorter races so that they can play more adds !

[broncobrad]

Hey Fred, c'mon now, level with me here.
Seeing as how they're going to debase the whole thing by having a crack over 5 furlongs whilst wearing Dog colours...accordingly, are you going to roll with some of Ambrosoli's material and tout
http://www.debortoli.com.au/uploads/pics/Windy_Peak.jpg
...'The Windy Peak range' from De Bortoli's? :rolleyes:

Without trying to put Fred out of a job, they could do the complete cross over of both codes and actually INVITE Paul to call the series, with some fine tuning to some of the harness terminology. After all, he does a pretty good with those 30 second dog calls, imagine how many times he could call the whole field over a minute. Would you let him in the box Fred?

[Triple V]

Obviously Sky want shorter races so that they can play more adds !

[VVV] It's worse than that Ricky.
The TAB/Sky are like an Obstetrician who would prefer to deliver babies without the Mothers being present.
If the TAB/Sky could conduct racing without the Horses and the Dogs, then they would jump at the chance.
The animals required as wagering mediums...along with the people who own, train, drive and ride them are, for them, a neccessary evil.

[Triple V]

So far...

The Windy Peak

The Corinthian Byfold Doors

The Radar O'Rielly

The Black Shiraz

The Menangle Bale

The Graeme Bate

The Flying Kennel

The Bunny's In Motion

and by the leading contender by wide open lengths...

Harness Done Doggy Style.

I would dearly like to claim the last one as it works on a number of levels however it came as an SMS early this morning & courtesy of a mate of mine.

[mark diegutis]

the shortening of intervals between races to 20mins. That's the single smartest change that they could make for the Punters. 1/2 an hour's too long.
Hi Triple . I remember all twilight meetings were run with races 20 minutes apart . It certainly proved successfull in the Hunter and there was very little confusion once people got used to it and an official took charge and kept all the participants moving .

[Triple V]

G'day Mark,

You're right on the money.
The real absurdity however is that part of the proposal looks like a pushing of the Harness Racing Industry by the TAB to reduce the intervals between races...when in fact it is the TAB that are in sole control of those intervals. They schedule ALL the race times.
We should have 20 min. gaps across the board. I love Harness Racing and I still get bored shitless with the 1/2+ spans.
What we're going to get is the right thing, as in a shortening of the intervals, but for the wrong reasons...as in that being an integral part of the TAB's nothing short of disgraceful attempt at making Harness Racing into an Equine version of Dog Lotto.