Griffin

Looks like the new Sky head of sport is not too interested in Horse Racing, no ESPN coverage of the Derby this morning like previous years. Seems he prefers humans kicking and scratching each other in the UFC. Could Trackside not put Tan and Co. on this morning to cover the most popular horse race in the world. Even Tan would be better than elevator music, just.

Since closing my account I have noticed on the TAB Dashboard on my phone that my account is still alive, just locked, and it can be unlocked at any stage. Is this done so John can fudge the figures of how many accounts have been closed?

He says "Requires users to change their behavior", I did John, I closed my account last week after 30 years. I went and saw him at his road show a couple of years ago and he was standing shaking his arm looking like a schoolboy about to piss his pants in front of the seven people that turned up. Definitely not CEO material.

NZTR proudly had it as a headline on their website too.

You would think they would be no more than an ATM to operate. Even if they took a small percentage to cover POD bets, suppose that’s too hard for people who know nothing about gambling. If the TABs don’t want customers, the Pub Bookie should come back, and they will do well.

I have had this info passed onto me from someone who has recently opened a sports bar in the CD. The bar used to have a TAB. The new owner wants a TAB and is prepared to pay a staff member to run a Terminal or he was just after a POD. He approached the TAB and was told it would not happen, he then asked to speak to someone higher up and was told you are speaking to him. Matt Sole. The bar is doing well and Patrons are asking when the TAB is opening. He then approached Matt Sole again and this was the reply: What further do you need to know, we cannot help you. TAB is not looking at putting PODS into bars as they are not profitable. TAB have removed 3x PODS out of bars in the area this month. TAB does not want to Saturate the area. You should have done a bit more research on this option before you opened up a Sports Bar. Your customers could always go to the Bar around the corner and place a bet. It costs the TAB a $1000 per week to operate a POD and we just can’t give them away to everyone. It is not worth the cost of Training personnel, and we have line rental to pay. TAB are making more off Mobile content. This is the Racing Board instruction. TAB current strategy will not change for at least 12 months. Are we paying $100,000 for someone like Matt Sole to be this proactive? If there is someone like this in every region, we could save a million right there.

And who introduced you to racing, a serious punter or a $1ew one.

How can opening up to new, or regaining lost customers be a backward move?

Is it possible to get a real thread going without your input Admin?

As this site is the best way to get a message to the Racing Industry, can we start a list of what he should be looking at. I'll start with getting NZ racing back on Free to Air TV.

Can't see the link to Racing, or does he belong to John, Des, Peter or Noel?

I use 50/50 Fiskens Broodmare mix and Lucerne chaff.

It is great that we get prelims, but It would be nice if we could get 5 seconds vision of each horse, if they miss a horse in the prelim they should focus on these ones around at the start. There are certain camera operators that seem to focus on one horse or show every horses backside as they go around the turn, or try some artistic talent by zooming in or out, no use at all.

It would be good PR if trackside mentioned or had a ribbon with an apology and a mention they are working on the problem, but I suppose they are all out following their interests on a Saturday, they are obviously not interested in Racing.

There has been no mention of this outage over trackside, surely they must be noticing this.

Congratulations to John Wheeler on 1000 wins in NZ. His last two winners look good too. No mention on Trackside yesterday.

Can't see the distances being a problem, horses travel throughout the country. A regular 10 a.m. start would bring in more punters. Sorry Barry I won't call you a Bell End again. Can't see why people would waste their money on children when there could be races to bet on?

What does the B stand for Barry, "Bell End". Forward thinking Sunshine, we need something other than normal punters. Think those poor bastards are already up whether the races are on or not.

Why don't our TAB offer them a market to bet on, and what about the NZedders waiting until 12 to bet we could cater to them couldn't we?

Have they not got the internet over there yet?

Why don't we have one of these Saturday meetings starting at 10.a.m.to take advantage of the Aussies sitting there doing their form waiting for their races to start. Today we have 3 meetings all kicking off after 12. Half hour intervals until the rest of the meetings kick in.

Rangong

Simple solution for TB racing. Race a premier racing carnival for nine months of the year, September through to May. One major meeting every week on a Saturday, 8 races minimum 14 starters every race. Penalty for scratching horses without good reason. 40 race days per year, giving punters one quality betting product per week. Start with a minimum stake of $70,000 per race (example only). Black Type races can only be held on premier days. Initially use existing tracks, 17 main tracks, revised annually, other tracks can apply to be promoted. Track manager’s priority is premier days. Premier track management group to provide course updates weeks out. No racing on premier tracks for at least two months prior. Move the meetings around the country to suit times of the year, some courses get 2 or 3 Premier meetings. Each local area uses this as their one big day of racing to get people on course. An overall carnival committee to oversee quality. Have three Majors per year, Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, spaced accordingly. These are over two weekends similar to Breeder’s cup set up, with qualifying lead up races. All non-premier meetings to have a maximum stake of $8000 per race (example only), unless funded by the club themselves. Start the lower level race days at 9 or 10 a.m. to make maximum use of overseas betting. A separate winter racing programme for the jumpers and mudlarks from June to August. Facilities don’t need to be big, something similar to Whanganui Greyhound facility is perfect for racing these days, to cater for big days, there is a lot of top class portable options for functions available (marquee’s etc.), they work for other events. TB racing could own them, and move them around to suit. Get this running smoothly and all profits go into a pool to trickle down eventually to lift the stakes of all racing. Don’t aim at the younger crowd, they have no disposable income, aim at the middle aged, once they have paid for the house, car schooling they need something to spend on. For those that are not able to compete in sports actively anymore, owning a horse does bring out your competitive side. Get more racing focused people in management. Most people who dedicate their lives to racing did not go to university as they spent those vital years learning the racing trade. It does not mean they are stupid. Get a modern, usable, information stacked website with a list of where all horses are stabled and compulsory updates of their progress by trainers. There you go Mr Purcell, tweak that.