Originally Posted by
dizzy
Ron on your original question of lets try something different how about this- Instead of trying to imitate something else like we did with the flying k why not utilise the differences in harness racing from the other two codes and capitalise on our unique position. Most of the criticism has been around harness racing being too boring and harness races take too long for the TAB liking, hence the flying K concept, which might have been the only concept available in 1999 when it was put to the world trotting conference but in 2012 and beyond with the technology available now why don't we make harness racing more interactive for the punter?
By that I mean why aren't we looking at a "Bet till the Bell" concept? Harness races typically take place over a 2 to 2 and a half minute time frame, with a number of "landmarks" on the course, which with todays technology should be ample to use all but say the last minute to continue betting. Presently betting closes just before the race begins but as the TAB is now offering fixed and tote odds why cant the tote pool remain open until the bell with the exception of cancelling bets from the same time the fixed odds would close? This would mean punters could continue to bet as the race unfolds, those who backed a breaking favourite at the start would have a chance to back something else in the race. Those who thought something could win but only if it led could further invest on their choice if it got the lead. I'm sure those of you who punt get the gist so feel free to discuss further as I don't punt so may have missed something. Maybe it needs to be a separate tote pool to that before the race. I'm sure being a more interactive betting medium would change punters opinions about harness racing being boring.