Read an interesting article in the Sporting Post which could be the opportunity for valuable dialogue but I fear that it will just fizzle into the abyss.
Taking just a few lines from the article speaks volumes, (When Regulators, operators, trainers & stud farms fail to respond, engage meaningfully, transparently, completely, sincerely or resolve issues. It undermines confidence and leads to negative experiences, less investment etc.) BTW i would add jockeys to that list. The less investment part is clear when you look at the Tote pools.
Instead of just highlighting some of the obvious, i will endeavour to give some suggestions;
1. Scottsville meeting last Sunday, Race 2 winner 25/1 - 20/1 R12,20 on the tote
Race 5 7/2 - 8/1 6th 7/1 - 25/1 last
Race 6 10/1 - 5/1 wins 7/2 - 8/1 last
If the above seems transparent then I must be a conspiracy theorist. Don't get me wrong, when the odd horse is backed in and wins we accept this can happen but when horses drift like they are no good and then run accordingly then a punter could not be vilified for at least thinking that this game is rigged. I know that the NHA cannot launch an investigation into every incident when considering that it is accepted as common practice now in SA Racing but how does a punter feel when their P6 choice at 7/2 drifts to 8/1 without a disclosed reason? What to do? When a horse is backed or drifts more that X amount of points then a written explanation must be given by the trainer and published.
2. Information on Runners wellbeing
Punters are not asking for the "inside info" however there is a lot more operators could be doing. We accept that the cost of barrier trials is prohibitive however camera's set up at the training centres when first timers or horses that are returning from a rest have their race ready work could be recorded and made available. This is the age of information and yet we are not excelling, a simple suggestion is to add when horses receive AHS Vaccines, it affects some horses and others not but at least the punter knows. A punter only knows why a horse was rested for 90-150 days after it wins, the pre race comments should include why... tendon surgery, rest, re-schooling etc.. Justin Snaith was super transparent when informing the public which horses he was travelling up prior to the big race day in July, something like this should not be optional for trainers.
3. Sort out the Parade ring
My 13 year old son was stopped from entering the parade ring however we have trainers whose children under 18 do interviews. The limit for owners is two in the parade ring, mostly it is my wife and our two children that go racing when we have a runner. When a syndicated horse wins there are any number of people in the parade ring. I am not against the amount of people at all the more positive experiences the better. Please clarify for everyone though as letting things slide and then enforcing the rules when convenient is not transparent it just comes off as a secret hand shake club and you leave owners to argue with security guards.
There are a multitude of areas that can be improved upon in my opinion but the above are just some of the quick wins that could be achieved.
In 2025 Data is key. Customers expect data to be available.
So much could be done to give punters more access to infomation.
Caveat it mus be timeous, reliable and consistent otherwise dont bother.
Topic Author
