Quote Originally Posted by strong persuader View Post
I'm not familiar with the Victorian set up, but the Carnival of Cups in NSW would be a similar concept and undoubtedly one state copied the other in the setting up of these events.

How can it be beneficial to grass roots racing to "force" a country club to host a large race meeting where most of the increased prizemoney on offer is going to the better performed racing animals and stables?

I opposed the Strategic Plan here in NSW under the simple premise that you won't grow a large tree by pruning its roots. I think we have witnessed a remarkable decline in the number of horses and participants since this adventure down the path of rationalisation, yet, no one is coming out and saying that it was wrong and needs to be revised.

Here in NSW, we have seen the closure of clubs, the limitations placed on other clubs to two meetings a year, with one of those meetings being the aforementioned COC meeting. How this is meant to provide support to the grassroots of the industry defies logic.
We need big events Phil that will attract new people. People that have never been to the trots will never become horse owners, without horse owners we have no horses ........