Lift your game: Melton

On March 9.2012 our horse Millionaire won at Alexandra Park NZ. We were there on the night, it was a normal race for non winners with a total stake of $NZ10,000. After the photo's we were taken to the Owners Room for drinks and to view the replay of the race. As we left the room, we were presented with a complimentary DVD and a presentation box of 2 glasses and a bottle of wine with the winning photo of Millionaire and the win details on the label. I'm told that this happens for every metro race at Alex. Park. They certainly know how to make the owners feel special!
On March 23 2012 our horse Musical Delight won the Youthful Stakes ( $20,000 ) for 2 year old fillies at Tabcorp Park Melton. It is a recognised fillies race and the Honour Roll is printed in the race book. It was the last race of the night. After the race we were herded onto the track for a photo with the sponsor ( not introduced ) the rug was thrown on the filly, and I was handed a box containing the trophy by a race official. As we left the track I thanked the sponsor who was standing to one side. Do you think that this person will sponsor a race at Melton again ? Would you ?
As for the owners , we couldn't celebrate with our 2 free drink tickets as the owners room was closed and we were directed to the Sports Bar. I don't drink at the Sports Bar at Melton and certainly not late at night. I collected my free DVD from the Pro Video van and went home.
Harness Racing Victoria need to have a really hard look at themselves. Their attitude towards owners is pathetic and without the benefit of increased prizemoney owners have very little to look forward too.
I am passionate about the sport and have invested heavily ; service fees alone this year are $117,000.
Sometimes I wonder Why ???

Anne, your story is, unfortunately too true,too often.
I know some others on this forum will roll their eyes as I bang on once again about the plight of owners in this game.
The owners of the horses pay to present the racing product! And they pay and pay and pay! they are often the unsung heroes..accolades being distributed to drivers,trainers and breeders in around about that order.
The sports administators have, rightly or wrongly had a tighter focuss on punters whims than that of owners since I can remember!

I hope someone who cares to make a difference, reads your thread Anne, the game has been neglecting it's most important patrons for too long.

Cheers,
Dan

G'day Anne,

I'm sorry to hear that, I really am. That's simply not good enough.
Owners & Breeders do tend to get the scraps from the table by way of recognition and the really unfortunate thing for you is that you fall into both categories...as for that matter it should be noted do the vast majority of Owners in Australia (see the HRA Breeders Panel survey...I think it was up over 3/4's thereof).
In terms of those I know about, Bathurst do the feature race winning owner thing really well and especially so during the Gold Crown/Tiara carnival.
Haven't had the pleasure of landing one home at Menangle yet but when they were at HP the NSWHRC used to do it well also. We landed a 2yo filly home there one night and had a very nice time afterwards.
Btw, great to see Top Tempo off to such a good start as a Broodmare. You'd have to be pleased with that result. She was such a terrific racemare & so was her dam. Congrats.

Anne, perhaps you should have sent an email to HRV instead of starting a thread. Most owners don't even get the chance to race at headquarters, let alone win a $20,000 feature.

At Bankstown, every winning owner will now get an autographed and framed photo of the WIZ!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lucky Camilla"s Lovechild

Anne, perhaps you should have sent an email to HRV instead of starting a thread. Most owners don't even get the chance to race at headquarters, let alone win a $20,000 feature.

I agree Leigh. HRV are well aware of the issues at Melton, however continue to stick their head in the sand and pretend every things okay. It is not too much to expect after a lifetime involvement to savour and celebrate every win, especially as it balances out the disappointments that all owners and breeders have. As for racing at "headquarters " you can race there for $1500 now; believe me it ain't special. Give me Ballarat any day!

Melton is turning into the laughing stock of the state to be honest. I will not go there. Even if I had a horse race there I don't think I would go, treat owners like crap.

I am sorry if I sound harsh but Melton is just another country meeting in my opinion.

I used to love going to the valley and then going out in the city afterwards but you just can't do that from Melton. Way too far out of town to go for general public. Ok for people in Melton but this is why it is getting the reputation that it is!!!!

It all falls on deaf ears at HRV, as long as they get their guts full of free grog and food at Melton their happy, be good one week to see how they get on with two drink vouchers and a cold pie at the fight bar

I think the owners room is too far away from the winning post at Melton. And it doesn't have a special feeling to it whatsoever. Just feels like a spare room they decided to chuck a fridge and a couple of tv screens into. I haven't had a winner at Melton in a while but whenever I've had a runner I've rarely used it - or used it only as an afterthought.

I also think they could've put the parade ring in a better spot.

Having said that I still think overall it's a pretty reasonable at Melton. The proximity of the stalls to the main eating/drinking areas is really good in my opinion. Also I like the landscape gardening they have done, simple and sustainable but also quite neat.

As for location Geoff what else could they have done? I'd prefer they built it where the fruit markets are/were near docklands......but what price for that land! And in peak hour that would've been a nightmare for trucks and floats.

Pretty hard to get the perfect setup on a limited budget.

Yeah I understand that and it does not worry me so much as we have to travel anyway but the place has no feel to it at all, no atmosphere. Nothing like the atmosphere of the Valley on a big night, was sensational but that is in the past.
I don't know what they can do but they have to do something. If I wantd to watch Friday night fights I would stay home and watch it on Foxtel!!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bonnie

I agree Leigh. HRV are well aware of the issues at Melton, however continue to stick their head in the sand and pretend every things okay. It is not too much to expect after a lifetime involvement to savour and celebrate every win, especially as it balances out the disappointments that all owners and breeders have. As for racing at "headquarters " you can race there for $1500 now; believe me it ain't special. Give me Ballarat any day!

Hi Anne. Firstly congrats on the win. Went super! My young fella and i both there friday nite and both of us commented on timing of your race. Shouldnt have been the last. But they did have all them breed 4 speed races on so maybe thats why. Agree Ballarat the best!

Barry, the owners room now up in the green box on finish line. Great veiwing but a little too small given the number of people that now frequent it. They have limited budget i guess but they try their best. My comments maybe not relevant coz we'd go to broken hill in a snowstorm watch our horse
race.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Toohard

Barry, the owners room now up in the green box on finish line. Great veiwing but a little too small given the number of people that now frequent it. They have limited budget i guess but they try their best. My comments maybe not relevant coz we'd go to broken hill in a snowstorm watch our horse
race.

Ha ha
See it's been way too long - I'll have to ring my trainer and tell him, bit overdue for another winner at Melton aren't we? I haven't even seen the new owners room!