IDEAS on how we can improve Harness Racing

[Messenger]

Just like the dogs, I would be surprised if 1% of the population could name you a current harness horse or dog.
But then it occurs to me that probably not much more than 1% of the population could name you a current galloper.
The gallops product is perceived to be better but I am not so sure.
Maybe like Brendan is suggesting, it is the favourable treatment they get from the betting agencies and media that puts them front and centre and seems to have cemented them at the top

Maybe lack of recognition of the participants is is why Sports Betting is so popular - I expect a ¼ of the population have a team and sport that they follow

[aussiebreno]

I do think the favourable treatment is a bit cause and effect though.

If I went to the local footy tomorrow I reckon a lot of blokes could name Mr Brightside and Alligator Blood unprompted and I'd be lucky to get 2 know who Act Now and RNR Who are even if prompted.

[Messenger]

25hrs until our Saturday night Metro meet at Melton and the TAB only has a market up for 2 races

[aussiebreno]

25hrs until our Saturday night Metro meet at Melton and the TAB only has a market up for 2 races

Rest assured you can get on Fixed Odds for a Maiden at Grafton on Tuesday!

Edit: or Horsham for your neck of the woods.

[Messenger]

We have 9 Trots races at Melton tomorrow night for $236k of prizemoney
and 12 Pacing races at Mildura for $75k of prizemoney

It will be interesting to see how they compare for turnover, although Sky1 for Melton would be a huge advantage

[Messenger]

The stats available by clicking on drivers or trainers have been a good addition

BUT they need a tweek. When a new year/season ticks over the 'current season' stats are pretty meaningless for some time

How about we show last season's until Feb (or longer) by which time everyone has had some time to get some form on the board

What brought this to my attention is that seeing Brian Kiesey and Brett Shipway train winners tonight, made me think that they have been going well of late so I click on their names to check this but the current stats are only for the last 5 days so they do not confirm/show what I was after

[gutwagon]

It's good for harness racing when Brian and Brett have winners, in my opinion.

[Messenger]

I was not sure where to put this
My roving reporter has told me that the carpark at Geelong was full before the first race last night
The Daschund Dash

I am not sure how I feel about concerts, fireworks, etc etc to pull a crowd. If they make 1 or 2 harness converts they would be justified - otherwise we are simply going into a different business. The plus side is that it gives genuine attendees something to watch in between races

[trish]

Back in the day when Vince Silvestro was fireworking around Harold park with his trusty horse , a lot of harness trainers hated the noise even though they were up the hill.
And my dad always was in a rush to get the horses off the show grounds before any fireworks started. Got caught out a few times & the horses went crazy.
Saw some dreadful accidents & horse deaths near where we lived with horses going through fences when the local school thought is was a good idea to put on fireworks in farm/horse country.

[Messenger]

and the marketing department marketing