When we raced at Moonee Valley we would invite 20/30 clients 2 or 3 times a year to dinner and a night of harness racing. Some of these people would then race horses with us for fun and a social night out. We have never invited anyone to Melton. It is our premier harness racing venue but because of location and lack of corporate facilities it fails to attract ' top end customers ' HRV 's focus is on the punter but IMO the punter is not tomorrows owner. It is a serious concern for breeders as ownership requires not only a passion for the sport but the spending money to sustain that passion.
We attended an ownership group meeting a few weeks ago . When I looked around the table I realised that all attendees were business people who had an income outside of harness racing . The AFL have realised that there is a higher expectation for better facilities , comfort ,dining, and public transport access and have rationalised and improved their grounds to cater for this ( no more standing room at the Footy ).
Until we lift our game at our premier facility I cannot see top end customers wanting to drive all the way to Melton for a night out.
