View Full Version : Holy database Batman - Foal Numbers
trish
09-06-2016, 05:25 PM
I looked at NSW & went back (maybe too long ago) from 1984/5 to 2014/5.
In 1984/5 we had 414 sires standing in NSW.........woweeeeee....... Now ?????
In 1984/5 we had 6359 mares served , in 2014/5 we had 1614 (including imp. semen).
In 1984/5 we had 2577 drivers, in 2014/5 we had 867.
In 1984/5 we had 2564 horses named, in 2014/5 896.
In 1984/5 we had 2814 trainers, in 2014/5 we had 1040.
As at 31/8/2015
http://www.harness.org.au/hra/annual/public/stats.htm
Hermione
09-06-2016, 05:55 PM
It is very disheartening to read, and I guess it would be about the same for all the states to which I could add NZ (but not as a State :) ) When you look at the fields racing in Australia would be really floundering were it not for NZ breds? What went wrong?
trish
09-06-2016, 06:45 PM
It is very disheartening to read, and I guess it would be about the same for all the states to which I could add NZ (but not as a State :) ) When you look at the fields racing in Australia would be really floundering were it not for NZ breds? What went wrong?
It sure is disheartening. I only looked because of some field sizes in NSW.
I just had a look at NZ to see how they are going.
In 2008 4269 mares were served of which 2868 were branded
In 2015 2796 mares were served of which ???? (numbers not in yet) but year before there were 1868 foals branded.
http://www.harnessracing.co.nz/#!maresserved/cna
In my uneducated opinion, maybe it's due to a couple things.
a) licensing. If you need to have a stablehand license to help out in a stable, kids are less likely to just help out. You shouldn't really need to pay money and get a medical and go to classes to help with horses so kids won't. Which means, less kids trying it out, less kids realising it's fun and a great hobby which means less young people move on to get their training or driving license which means less are in the industry so as the older demographics retire or pass away, there's few to fill the gap. I'm probably a prime example of that. Grew up with horses, we train and breed a bunch every year. I used to fastwork them with Dad as a teenager, didn't need a vest or anything and could handle them fine. Now I'm older and moved away, if I go home, I don't even think I'm allowed to jog one on a licensed track because I don't have a stablehand license. I could be wrong but it certainly makes me really wary about handling them at the trots in case we get fined - And I'm a part owner! I already got a telling off by the stewards for not having closed toe shoes on in the stable area, which I understand is a rule for safety but things certainly have changed from since when I was a kid just a few years ago.
Secondly, stallion fees. Back in the 90s, you could get a really well bred horse for $20k at the WA sales. The most we paid was $7k and I was flabbergasted that we paid that. We bought Lights Above for $3k or something in 1993 or thereabouts and she had fantastic breeding (and she was a bloody good horse too). Stallion fees were around $1500-4k so you could afford to breed your mare. Nowadays, well bred horses are going for $75-150k and stallion fees are $13-20k for a real top one. So people don't think they can compete.
trish
09-06-2016, 09:52 PM
It is very disheartening to read, and I guess it would be about the same for all the states to which I could add NZ (but not as a State :) ) When you look at the fields racing in Australia would be really floundering were it not for NZ breds? What went wrong?
I looked at the field sizes (only NSW) after your comment for races run from at the start of this season & they are as follows .
NSW Penrith 1st September....6 races....49 horses, (11NZ's) fields 1x10, 4x8, 1x7.
Leeton 2nd September....7 races....55 horses, (3 NZ) fields 1x10, 4x8, 1x7, 1x6. OFF it rained.
Menangle 3rd Sept......8 races.....69 horses (41 NZ) YEP 41 NZ's (so 100% correct on your " Aust would be floundering were it not for NZ breds") fields 1x11,1x10, 2x9, 2x8, 2x7.
Newcastle 3rd Sept.....8 races......90 horses (9 NZ) 5x12, 1x11, 1x10, 1x9 so REALLY STRONG Meeting.
Dubbo....4th Sept......7 races......58 horses (3 NZ) 1x10, 2x9, 3x8, 1x6.
Bankstown...5th Sept.... races.....41 horses (7 NZ) 5x7 and 1x6. NO third div on any race.
Menangle....6th Sept.....8 races....74 horses (28 NZ) 1x12, 1x11, 1x10, 2x9, 2x8, 1x7.
Bathurst......7th Sept....7 races.....73 horses (12 NZ) 2x12, 1x11, 2x10, 2x9.
I will keep it updated as the weeks, months roll on...
Hermione
09-06-2016, 10:42 PM
Go West young man. Go West! Western Oz would seem to struggle the most without the nz input?
trish
09-06-2016, 11:40 PM
Go West young man. Go West! Western Oz would seem to struggle the most without the nz input?
Just had a quick look & yes you are correct again.........Sept 2nd.....94 horses raced & 56 were NZ. (didn't count the last Westbred).
How on earth can anyone breeding horses in Australia be happy!! Surely the NZ horses are no better than ours, so why are so many trainers buying them.
Messenger
09-07-2016, 12:38 AM
I won't debate whether they are better or not Trish but I do think that NZ's owner/breeders have a lot more going horses 'on the market'. Remember that NZ does not have many more trot meetings than Tasmania! It seems to me that Breeding to sell (as a percentage of horse population) is a much bigger industry over there.
trish
09-07-2016, 12:58 AM
I agree with you, but I also think that the Australian trainers & owners want an instant return & maybe don't have the time & money to invest in a yearling here that may not be any good. I guess the NZ's are up & racing, buy today race next week. Whatever the reason its having a negative effect on our yearling sales.
Messenger
09-07-2016, 02:35 AM
I agree with you, but I also think that the Australian trainers & owners want an instant return & maybe don't have the time & money to invest in a yearling here that may not be any good. I guess the NZ's are up & racing, buy today race next week. Whatever the reason its having a negative effect on our yearling sales.
That seems to be the crux of it. It became very popular in the 80's (I plead guilty to participating back then) and because of the high rate of success it has just kept increasing every year
Mark Croatto
09-07-2016, 01:02 PM
I would suggest we don't have a strong culture for selling going horses in Australia whereas New Zealand does.
Messenger
09-07-2016, 01:55 PM
QLD is leading the way today with 8 races at Redcliffe while Bathurst can only manage 7 for NSW and Geelong a mere 6 race program in VIC
trish
09-07-2016, 02:53 PM
I would suggest we don't have a strong culture for selling going horses in Australia whereas New Zealand does.
Yea that's true but looking at foal figures for both countries, which are declining, the Harness Racing Authority will need to do everything possible to make breeding profitable, otherwise who wants to put
thousands of hours of effort & money into breeding just to go & make a loss at the sales or break even.
I'm wondering who is REALLY concerned about this decline. Because if it continues like it is we WILL run out of horses.
trish
09-07-2016, 03:15 PM
QLD is leading the way today with 8 races at Redcliffe while Bathurst can only manage 7 for NSW and Geelong a mere 6 race program in VIC
Yes Kevin, Redcliff 81 horses, Bathurst 69 horses, Geelong 50.
Messenger
09-09-2016, 03:40 AM
Bendigo must be doing something right - they have an 11 race program tomorrow night (six 3yo Vicbred platinums helps) with an average 30min only between races
while Horsham on Monday is another 6 race program (like Geelong yesterday). I only live 50min away but mostly 40min breaks between races will probably see me stay home
trish
09-15-2016, 05:58 PM
Noms for Menangle Tuesday ....extended ....have 66 horses nomed & 17 are nomed twice .
Noms for Ballarat Wednesday....extended...have 41 horses nomed & 14 are nomed twice.
Something needs to be done................................real soon.
trish
09-16-2016, 02:01 PM
Penrith...6 races , 51 horses..........Young , 8 races , only 6 races went , 56 horses..........Newcastle , 9 races , 90 horses ..........Menangle , 8 races , 78horses.............
Bathurst , 7 races, 64 horses......Men (Tue) 8 races , 65 horses.........Dubbo , 7 races, 60 horses.
Amlin
09-21-2016, 01:05 AM
Just 39 entries for the 12 programmed races at Globe Derby on Saturday
Messenger
09-21-2016, 02:26 AM
Just 39 entries for the 12 programmed races at Globe Derby on Saturday
? They ended up with 7 races and 54 starters
https://www.harness.org.au/fields.cfm?mc=GD240916
Amlin
09-21-2016, 11:05 AM
Sorry Monday actually
trish
09-24-2016, 03:17 PM
Sorry Monday actually
They did well to get that meeting.
trish
09-24-2016, 03:25 PM
next....Albury 6 races , 43 horses..........Newcastle 10 races , 108 horses........Menangle 8 races , 86 horses.......Parks off..........Menangle (Tue) 6 races , 52 horses......
Bathurst 7 races , 67 horses......Penrith 8 races , 75 horses..
trish
09-24-2016, 03:46 PM
I reckon this letter has to go here too.
Read the review (http://harnesslink.cmail19.com/t/d-l-dllrtkt-niyuhkjd-d/) http://i9.cmail19.com/ti/d/39/086/C3F/181143/img/2line.png
We agree with your letter Gordon Banks! This letter to the editor was submitted by prominent owner and breeder, Gordon Banks, and the staff at Harnesslink agrees 100% with what he says. We applaud Mr. Banks for taking the time to “tell it like it is” and we encourage everyone to please read his letter and act on it before it is too late.
Having a significant presence and investment in harness racing in both hemispheres, I find myself continually bemused and frustrated by the incredibly poor industry management exhibited by industry leaders. It seems as if anything that can be mismanaged, will be!
No doubt it is difficult to manage events within a fractured industry rife with self-interested participants who value their interests above general industry interests, but all should see the handwriting on the wall. Without proactive, focused and intelligent navigation harness racing worldwide will be just a footnote in the history books. Fragile international economies, lack of sufficient funding for police, firemen, and a variety of social causes, competing gambling and entertainment opportunities, governmental restrictions limiting industry flexibility and effective control over wagering platforms, and a dangerously aging customer base portend a very limited future without unified and incisive industry leadership!
In North America, racing has become monotonous, stake races have become generally unbettable and overly predictable because of small fields and seeding of horses, the Meadowlands has metastasized from a great racetrack built around top stake and late closer races and top drivers to a purveyor of racing mediocrity held together only by deals with betting syndicates that deprive horsemen and the track of a viable purse structure and profitability, owners are leaving the industry in frightening numbers, and chemical warfare is so rampant that only judges, racing commissioners, and track operators fail to get angry enough to act! Certainly fans, bettors, and horse owners are running away with alacrity!
In the southern hemisphere, harness racing is also in decline. Southern New Zealand harness racing is financially and competitively dysfunctional. Horses can't race frequently enough and, when they can race, a socialized purse structure has insured that only the winner can leave the race remotely contented. A system in which the winning horse earns approximately 53% of the purse, with 2nd getting only 15% - so that all starters get 2% - is doomed to cause the owner exodus that it was created to forestall. Throughout New Zealand, the dominance of a few large and well-funded trainers give them tactical advantages that are preventing effective competition, and leading owners and trainers to give up, move operations to Australia, or look at dubious ways to better compete. Recently, the NZ tote announced that they would limit the amount a major wagerer could wager on a daily basis - a strange concept if ever I heard one!
In Australia, continuous integrity based scandals have effected industry growth, purse increases have not kept up with cost increases, and lack of an American veterinary type support has led to most horses being unable to hold together going the times horses are now going. Owners just can't make enough money to willingly stay in the game hoping for the lottery winner we all dream of, especially since it seems that the industry expects owners to always subsidize other industry participants!
I could easily identify an almost endless list of issues negatively affecting the harness industry worldwide, most prevalent in both hemispheres, but most of us are well aware of that list. We need to stop letting this industry we love fall apart at the seams because of our inactivity, no less than because of the poor leadership that has led the industry into the mess it's in. We need to recognize that those who have mismanaged in the past will inevitably do so again in the future! If we really care enough to right the sinking ship we all have to become proactive and FORCE industry change! There are more than enough brilliant business minds, open minded and flexible thinkers, well connected owners, horsemen, and track owners to cooperate effectively in reshaping this international industry into a competitive business/sport for the 21st Century. The existing industry leaders are not, and have not, and will not lead this industry they have crippled into the light. Rocking the boat is never fun - but this industry we love is fun, and can be more fun, but we have to overcome our time constraints, our fear of becoming pariahs, of losing friends, of opposing friends who are old industry stalwarts, and speak up about the many obvious actions and inactions that continue to cripple this industry on a daily basis.
Trainers know which trainers are breaking the rules, racing authorities and track owners know which trainers are breaking the rules, owners even know as evidenced by the many owners who switch to obvious drug barns!
All of us are to blame, and only all of us together - each risking something - can help fix the situation. Without an even playing field, without enabling more competitive racing by ending short fields in stake races, without forcing great horses to earn their greatness the hard way instead of handing them prestigious wins by separating top seeds and having 5 and 6 horse divisions, without returning the meadowlands to greatness created by being the best rather than pretending it still is, harness racing is unsalvageable.
This is written in the hope that it will be effectively received as the call to arms it is intended to be. Nothing I have written is unknown to anyone, yet we all let harness racing drift away. The USTA and other racing organizations cannot, and will not, fix the situation. Racetrack owners cannot and will not fix the situation. Owners, trainers, drivers, and customers cannot and will not fix the situation....working together, and only together, can the industry be salvaged. What mechanism can help push and effectuate this cooperation and the actions that must follow is unknown, and not presently in existence. We must create this! I am more than willing to dedicate some of my time for this cause, I hope that many others will too!
I have already cut back heavily on my international broodmares, have limited my investment in yearlings, racehorses and stallions because of my perception that, without significant short term industry change, this industry will totally fail as a viable business (and fun) option. I am hoping that we can intercede to save the ship, otherwise sooner than we all wish, there will be only the shell of an industry to muddle around in!
Gordon banks
Source: Insider Access from Harnesslink
trish
09-24-2016, 03:50 PM
I have already cut back heavily on my international broodmares, have limited my investment in yearlings, racehorses and stallions because of my perception that, without significant short term industry change, this industry will totally fail as a viable business (and fun) option.
When you have people like Mr Banks saying stuff like this sentence its a worry!!!!!
Messenger
09-24-2016, 06:53 PM
We really have to sell our product to be viable.
Attendees does not seem to be the priority nowadays but surely we need exciting racing and great viewing ops to sell our point of difference from the gallopers so that means no tracks inside racecourses and tracks that are not too big
If media viewers is the priority WE ARE IN DESPERATE NEED OF HELP. If I am being brutely honest about what is availabe now I would say that it does very, very little for me and I am a lover of the game. Maybe for phone viewers it does not matter (I am not one of them)
It amazes me that the gallopers on their huge tracks look better than us. When attending the only time you really see the galloper up close is in the mounting yard and their followers are so lucky to get such wonderful coverage of this on TV while we get zip but apart from this and the better look of grass compared to grit, we do not have good enough camera work to make our product look good. PLEASE PLEASE learn from the french before we become history
trish
10-03-2016, 05:34 PM
End of September. NSW.
12 horse tracks........Menangle (Sat) 33 races/335 horses , 10.1 average per field. Menangle (Tue) 30 /263 , 8.7 av. Newcastle 36 /386 , 10.7 av.
Bathurst 36/326 , 9 av.
10 horse tracks........Penrith 36 races/314 horses , 8.7 average. Dubbo 14/118 , 8.4 av. Wagga 7/64 , 9.1 av. Young 6/56 9.3 av. Leeton 7/55 , 7.8 av. Albury 6/43 , 7.1
Bankstown 6/41 , 6.8av.
Messenger
10-03-2016, 08:41 PM
In Vic we have had a few 6 and 7 race programs. There is no way I am going the 1¾hrs to Charlton for 6 races
Adaptor
10-04-2016, 03:34 PM
In Vic we have had a few 6 and 7 race programs. There is no way I am going the 1¾hrs to Charlton for 6 races
And there are only 6 races at Ballarat on Thursday night.
On course betting and catering...both income streams for clubs will be down.
Bendigo had 6 races last meeting, which is the first time I can remember having so few. What is the solution?
Hermione
10-04-2016, 04:34 PM
Please don't look across the ditch! That is a short term solution, there must be loads of broodmares languishing in paddocks on both sides of the Tasman but few owners with the wherewithal/motivation/interest to breed? We have 4 mares here and not planning on breeding, how many others are there in the same boat? Breeding is a 3-4 year commitment from stallion choosing to potential racehorse on the ground. We are getting a bit long in the tooth and need to pull back/out. Offspring have other interests and we were only doing it as a (expensive) hobby :)
hugdon
10-07-2016, 07:31 PM
I have long dreamed of breeding my own and did so in the early 80's, unfortunately for me they failed to make the grade. Now I am retired and have the time I am constantly told do not breed, buy at the yearling sales. That way you stand a chance of getting your money back a lot quicker than breeding!! Gosh there are so many stallions out there just waiting for a nice filly that breeding could keep me going until I turn up my toes yet if stalwarts say buy and you value their advice what does one do?
Messenger
10-07-2016, 09:19 PM
Buy a yearling filly Jim ;)
Jokes aside it also makes sense for selecting a damline you would like to patronise - unless you can find a broodmare whose line you would like to breed from
I have long dreamed of breeding my own and did so in the early 80's, unfortunately for me they failed to make the grade. Now I am retired and have the time I am constantly told do not breed, buy at the yearling sales. That way you stand a chance of getting your money back a lot quicker than breeding!! Gosh there are so many stallions out there just waiting for a nice filly that breeding could keep me going until I turn up my toes yet if stalwarts say buy and you value their advice what does one do?
We do a combination of both. Buy well bred horses, both colts and fillies with the intention of keeping the fillies to then breed with
hugdon
10-10-2016, 02:53 AM
Thanks, I have recently bought a share in a Lincoln Royal filly, fingers crossed.
Messenger
10-10-2016, 09:36 AM
Thanks, I have recently bought a share in a Lincoln Royal filly, fingers crossed.
You will find this thread interesting Jim
http://www.harnessracingforum.com/showthread.php?9363-First-Crop-Sires
hugdon
10-25-2016, 06:43 PM
Thanks Kevin the thread was very interesting. There are a number of Australian/NZ (Colonial) sires I like none more than Changeover which could change if the little girl can run like her Dad
trish
10-27-2016, 12:22 PM
Hi Dan.
If they don't start helping the breeder to make a profit, there won't be enough horses bred to keep the industry viable. I really feel the small fields are beginning to show this but I could be wrong .
I think some of the next prize money increases should be aimed at the breeder.
Mark Croatto
10-27-2016, 03:54 PM
Hi Trish, in what ways would you suggest breeders be helped? I was going to breed 5 mares this season but can't afford to do so at the moment, so I'm leaving 3 empty and waiting until I get a return on the yearlings and the 5 foals I hope we get (2 colts & 1 filly on the ground, 2 to go).
Regards
Mark
trish
10-27-2016, 04:55 PM
"I was going to breed 5 mares this season but can't afford to do so at the moment".
Hi Mark.
You said the biggest problem in one sentence. Affordability. My friend went to the sales for the 1st time this year & he said if you haven't got a Bettors, Mach, Art, Somebeach forget making any money. And he can not afford those sires so he may not make any profit with his yearlings when the time comes to sell them. He observed everyone wanted to look at "Bettors" yearlings & people were not that interested in much else. he said when he took his filly into the ring there were about 15-20 people still there, so that also tells a story. He got a fair price but made nothing after the amount spent on everything from service fee, 30 mths in between to selling.
Ok what can be done to help the breeder because realisticly , no foals=no racing=no owners =no trainers etc etc, the list goes on. I think HRA or states ,should make it a priority to get in touch with every breeder , where possible (or breeders can ring them) & ask how many mares they are breeding, so if like yourself say 2 mares, they ask have you any other mares & you say yes 3, then they should offer to help get those other mares in foal financially . Or have a system in place where
breeders can get a return % from every horse they breed, that races bit like the payout to last place , the breeder gets a percentage as well. This way you can be assured that more people will breed but of cause some will make more money than others depending on who gets the resultant yearlings. Mark I am thinking out loud & of cause need help with any suggestions.
My friend came up with an idea for NSW. That the breeder of any horse that was bred in NSW receive $1000 for every win for the horses life. That way the breeder might be more inclined to let his yearling go for the pitiful amounts on offer unless
you are lucky enough to have enough money to spend on the top sires.
Have you or anyone else any idea how to help the declining breeding industry?
I think stallion owners need to work harder to show the value their stallions offer. There are so so many fantastic horses by unknown or 'average' stallions that people dont realise. Sure Bettors, Art Major and Some beach rank the best and get the most winners, but they also cost the most and serve the most mares. Not necessarily a champion sire but an example is Ohoka Arizona. Sired a great horse in Eyre Crusher.
eliteblood
10-28-2016, 09:48 AM
My involvement in the industry these days is almost entirely as a breeder. It is a tough game with steeply increasing costs, especially service fees, a multitude of things that can go wrong and feeding into a contracting racing industry. I do believe, however, that the authorities have been outstanding in their support of the breeding industry in recent years and there are many incentives already in place to encourage and support breeders.
Just looking at the example of a NSW bred horse, the breeder is eligible for a $3000 bonus for the first 2YO win, another $3000 for the first 3YO win, 5% of any Breeders Challenge prizemoney that the horse wins and 10% of the total prizemoney for any Group 1 win throughout Australia as a 2YO, 3YO or 4YO.
In the case of owner / breeders, they will also get a $3000 bonus for the first 2YO win, another $3000 for the first 3YO win (potentially $12,000 in bonuses if you breed and own a horse that wins one race as a 2YO and one race as a 3YO).
A substantial increase in the import fees on NZ bred horses is another action taken by authorities that helps to prop up the Australian breeding industry.
In my opinion, the viability of the breeding industry is ultimately dependent upon the health of the rest of the sport. I think the biggest challenge for harness racing is to attract more owners. Improve the reward to owners, (not just financially but also in terms of excitement and overall enjoyment, etc.), and benefits will automatically flow through to breeders, trainers, etc.
arlington
10-28-2016, 10:47 AM
My involvement in the industry these days is almost entirely as a breeder. It is a tough game with steeply increasing costs, especially service fees, a multitude of things that can go wrong and feeding into a contracting racing industry. I do believe, however, that the authorities have been outstanding in their support of the breeding industry in recent years and there are many incentives already in place to encourage and support breeders.
Just looking at the example of a NSW bred horse, the breeder is eligible for a $3000 bonus for the first 2YO win, another $3000 for the first 3YO win, 5% of any Breeders Challenge prizemoney that the horse wins and 10% of the total prizemoney for any Group 1 win throughout Australia as a 2YO, 3YO or 4YO.
In the case of owner / breeders, they will also get a $3000 bonus for the first 2YO win, another $3000 for the first 3YO win (potentially $12,000 in bonuses if you breed and own a horse that wins one race as a 2YO and one race as a 3YO).
A substantial increase in the import fees on NZ bred horses is another action taken by authorities that helps to prop up the Australian breeding industry.
In my opinion, the viability of the breeding industry is ultimately dependent upon the health of the rest of the sport. I think the biggest challenge for harness racing is to attract more owners. Improve the reward to owners, (not just financially but also in terms of excitement and overall enjoyment, etc.), and benefits will automatically flow through to breeders, trainers, etc.
+1
Mark Croatto
10-28-2016, 12:01 PM
In my opinion, the viability of the breeding industry is ultimately dependent upon the health of the rest of the sport. I think the biggest challenge for harness racing is to attract more owners. Improve the reward to owners, (not just financially but also in terms of excitement and overall enjoyment, etc.), and benefits will automatically flow through to breeders, trainers, etc.
Hi Trevor, and in answer to Trish's question, I firmly believe this is where we need to focus the attention. Breeders are like any other business owner, they provide a product to the market and when demand is high their sales improve. We need to stimulate demand which means increasing the group of owners. How to do this will not be easy, but it has to start with the people we currently have. We have to stem the loss of participants, we have to hold on to who we have and excite them into expanding their involvement. This can only happen by putting an end to the problems we have had, making racing enjoyable, and making it financially viable. It's a lot to do, but it isn't impossible.
Cheers
Mark
Messenger
10-28-2016, 01:09 PM
Rarely are people going to walk away if they are able to make a buck and the NSW bonuses Trevor lists, sound promising.
To excite people and have them expand their involvement (Mark), I think we could do with a Mainstream media presence. I do not know what you have in NSW but here in Vic, if you do not buy The Sun and only have free to air TV, you might not know that the trots exist. I get my free to air TV via VAST nowadays so I could be missing out on a few ads - I do remember seeing some to advertise Ballarat in my pre VAST days.
Of course, if you are going to invite people to your show you have to entertain them well which includes dotting every i and crossing every t. I have always been more into criticism than praise - I know when I have done something well and do not need praise and would rather look at how I can do even better. Now when I attend meetings within the 2hr radius around me, I am forever noticing the things that are not done well - replay screens not tuned in, only basic tucker, no hub/lounge where some excitement interest is being created (even if it was only to use the closed circuit TV footage that Mediatec can provide), etc etc. Admittedly I mostly attend midweek day meetings where we are often lucky to have 50 non owners in attendance - but why should they attend if we are not putting on a show and not putting it out there
While we have to hold onto those we have, the fact that many of them are in my 60+ bracket, we really have to start capturing others too. Midweek day meets may not be the priority first up as most people work but there are groups that we could be wooing to them and I am sure you get the gist of what I am on about
The hard working few that run our meets are generally all busy but they need somebody with a critical eye to be taking in what the meeting offers from an outsiders point of view. We are in the entertainment competition
Messenger
11-05-2016, 09:01 PM
Only 6 races at Stawell on Monday - I wonder whether they have suffered from tonight's Melton meet having 5 C class races
Of the 44 runners ELEVEN were engaged at Mt Gambier last night so I am not sure the numbers will hold up. R3 could end up a 3 horse race as 2/3 of its Mounties were more than 50m off the pace on Friday, while the other one won.
https://www.harness.org.au/fields.cfm?mc=SW071116&fromstate=vic
trish
11-06-2016, 02:21 PM
October. 12 horse tracks......Menangle (Sat & 1 Sun) 431 horses , 41 races , 10.5 av. Men (Tue) 247 horses , 29 races , 8.5 av. Newcastle (Sat) 350 horses , 33 races , 10.6 av. New (other) 145 h , 16 r , 9 av.
Bathurst 298 h , 35 h , 8.5 av.
10 horse tracks......Penrith 244 horses , 28 races , 8.7 av. Bankstown 48 horses , 6 races , 8 av. Tamworth 244 horses , 25 races , 9.76 av. Young 123 horses , 14 races , 8.7 av.
Wagga 63 horses , 7 races , 9 av. Dubbo 89 horses , 12 races , 7.4 av. Parks 47 horses , 6 races , 7.8 av. Temora 60 horses , 7 races , 8.5 av.
Messenger
11-18-2016, 08:46 PM
Another 6 race meet at Hamilton today - sheez
Maybe it's to do with the handicapping/conditions. We have races in WA that don't stand up and mostly it's because they have ridiculous conditions or are some weird handicap that no horses qualify for. Yet other races have 30 nominations
Messenger
11-19-2016, 12:10 PM
I wish that was it Katie but I am afraid it is not
Messenger
11-19-2016, 07:04 PM
In my opinion, the viability of the breeding industry is ultimately dependent upon the health of the rest of the sport. I think the biggest challenge for harness racing is to attract more owners. Improve the reward to owners, (not just financially but also in terms of excitement and overall enjoyment, etc.), and benefits will automatically flow through to breeders, trainers, etc.
A bit over $9k for a Metro win in Vic is close to pathetic nowadays so we really have to make the owners feel special.
Getting people (future owners) to the track has to be the first step so we need not just exciting racing but a whole event
trish
12-20-2016, 06:48 PM
November NSW.
273 races across NSW.......of those races 44 had NTD.
Will keep an eye on that & let everyone know.
Hermione
12-20-2016, 07:42 PM
You obviously like working with numbers Trish! Gives me the heeby jeebies just thinking of all those spread sheets :(
trish
12-20-2016, 07:47 PM
You obviously like working with numbers Trish! Gives me the heeby jeebies just thinking of all those spread sheets :(
Yes Jan . I always received 100% in maths & -50% in spelling.......
Messenger
12-20-2016, 09:04 PM
Yes Jan . I always received 100% in maths & -50% in spelling.......
Trish is afraid of her sister's RED pen :D
X X X
Fan of Jate
12-21-2016, 01:33 AM
Agree with Katie about the sometimes ridiculous way races are designed especially for younger horses in WA. A few years ago I had a good filly who could not get a race against her own sex due to silly conditions such as minimum field of 6, there always seemed to be 5 acceptances so she had to race against the boys and I now have a 3y/o gelding who cant get a go in a westbred race because they want a minimum field of 8. There were only 10 horses in the Inter final...cant work it out.
trish
12-21-2016, 12:04 PM
Trish is afraid of her sister's RED pen :D
X X X
Your a funny man Kev. Hahahah
trish
12-21-2016, 12:15 PM
Agree with Katie about the sometimes ridiculous way races are designed especially for younger horses in WA. A few years ago I had a good filly who could not get a race against her own sex due to silly conditions such as minimum field of 6, there always seemed to be 5 acceptances so she had to race against the boys and I now have a 3y/o gelding who cant get a go in a westbred race because they want a minimum field of 8. There were only 10 horses in the Inter final...cant work it out.
Sometimes over here its shocking, last year we had a 2yo in Sydney & the 2yo races didn't stand up for close to 6 - 7 weeks in a row, they had enough noms at one meeting (8) & scraped it, other race noms twice were 6. So he had 1 run as a 2yo. He went to the paddock!!!
We had to send one to the paddock also. We were getting him trained and for weeks and weeks he couldn't get a start so we were paying training fees for nothing.
Messenger
12-24-2016, 05:23 PM
The debate about the Leeton Breeders Plate now has its own thread
trish
01-13-2017, 04:33 PM
DCECMBER 2016
317 races across NSW ............... of those races 71 had No Third Dividend .
Messenger
01-13-2017, 10:54 PM
Yikes
trish
02-23-2017, 01:54 PM
JANUARY 2017.
321 races across NSW......................of those races 41 had No Third Dividend
That's better. Good start to 2017.
Messenger
02-23-2017, 03:05 PM
Field sizes seem to have picked up in Vic too
Messenger
03-14-2017, 01:09 AM
Only 6 races at Warragul on Wednesday - what's the story Kyle?
Messenger
05-09-2017, 01:57 AM
No shortage of horses in Vic right now
We have a double header on Wednesday with 10 races on the new upgraded Stawell track for the first time followed by Shep in the evening
and then on Thursday another double up with Maryborough (6/8 trots) and Ballarat
Apart from a couple at Mary, they are all good size fields
Impressive when you think it is only
1¼hr between Stawell and Mary
and < 1hr between Mary and Ballarat
(not in a float mind you)
10 of the 34 races in total are trots
trish
08-10-2017, 06:33 PM
https://www.harness.org.au/fields.cfm?mc=BK110817
And there is a good race on only attracted 8.
trish
08-10-2017, 08:20 PM
https://www.harness.org.au/fields.cfm?mc=PC150817
Menangle Tue , 6 races average 8.6 per field without any scratched .
Messenger
08-11-2017, 03:00 AM
Mildura today has a 12 race program with an average field size of 9 (Max is 10)
https://www.harness.org.au/fields.cfm?mc=ML110817&fromstate=vic
Fan of Jate
08-11-2017, 10:29 AM
A good spread of races for the lower grades , quite a few horses have not won a race or have won not many so it keeps them in with a chance of getting some return for the owners.
Fan of Jate
08-11-2017, 10:38 AM
I noted that Killer Carson USA a stallion I had never heard of has a runner in race 7 at Mildura. This is his only foal to make the races (out of 9)
Messenger
08-11-2017, 05:59 PM
I noted that Killer Carson USA a stallion I had never heard of has a runner in race 7 at Mildura. This is his only foal to make the races (out of 9)
The cream of stallions in his pedigree Pat but the broodmare sire Goalie Jeff, did not pass on his ability - having never sired a millionaire
http://classicfamilies.net/HorseDetails.aspx?HorseID=10191922
Messenger
09-11-2017, 05:02 PM
Not as many meetings since the season ended and Terang tomorrow night must have been lucky to get off the ground - only 6 races and 40 acceptors (already down to 35 with scratchings)
Messenger
09-12-2017, 10:17 PM
Maybe the Stewart stable scared them off?
They won the first two with $1.04 pops but have had their $1.40 fav beaten in the third
They have left the trot for stable driver Chris Alford to win but they will be winning the 5th with Shadow Sax
Four stables are relieved that they do not have a runner in the last (R6)
Fan of Jate
09-12-2017, 11:58 PM
Bang on Kev, Stewart got 3 winners and Alford 2. Fairly small program with three very hot favourites saluting.
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