Getting crowds back to the races

TheFunkster · February 2020

https://www.rsn.net.au/they-get-8000-at-the-canterbury-races-how/?fbclid=IwAR2in0HHkikKF6zU1SzxgBkP88fApkQkJ5FaB2dZZcOOQe_4GU31-jd6kW8

spinking · February 2020

Haven't we not been saying it for ages now. Scrap the admission fee. Once inside they will spend.Also wouldn't night racing be great here with our climate. Also the hawker food stalls is a great idea one they could copy here even during the day meetings, racing has to try something new to attract people back to the course

Chris · February 2020

I haven’t been to Canterbury but I imagine it has facilities with sound roofing, flooring that doesn’t allow patrons to fall through on upper levels and amenities built in the post Woodstock era too?

hash · February 2020

bring in a heap of food stalls then the idea of charging for an entry fee then receiving a credit to spend of that amount (or more) is a good idea as even if people aren't hungry or not big eaters it encourages them to spend it and experience the food

paraletic · February 2020

Imo this will only work well for night racing, too many other things to do during the day for families. No lights, no crowd. There is a reason why these food truck events are held at “night markets” and not during the day.

Rodent · February 2020

I went to Canterbury on Friday. Crowds didn't seem to be as good as previous meetings. Food trucks were ok but rather expensive. I only live up the road and won't be going back.

I used to attend races all the time at Canterbury in the 1980's and 90's. What I found sad about Friday night was the number of people with their back to the track during the races. Zero interest in racing. It seemed to be the majority which really saddened me.

thefalcon · February 2020

would you take a food truck to a normal Saturday meeting? no? I thought not.

night racing is the go, I mentioned solar panels for lighting to a committee man some time ago.

he agreed it a "bloody good idea"...and that's where it has stayed.

TheDiva · February 2020

the food trucks idea was mentioned to PR years ago by a then employee. it fell on completely deaf ears. that employee has since moved on to greener pastures.

I thought it was a great idea at the time to try and arrest declining crowds.

A few craft beer stands... a few food trucks ... give the people something else to come for.

however i think the caterers and the alcohol sponsor would stop it in its tracks.

lick · February 2020

The whole day out is just ridiculously expensive - the price of drinks and food is ridiculous.

therealkramer · February 2020

The horses should be the drawcard. Sky Heights v Sunline-both upstaged by the giant killer, Intergaze, in the Queen Elizabeth('99) was the first meeting I ever attended. I'm disappointed that the AJC/ATC abandoned the Canterbury Guineas(1900m) under lights and in doing so, dismantling a true 3yo triple crown by catering to sprinter/milers with the Randwick Guineas(1600m). I remember going to the Canterbury Guineas in 2001 when Universal Prince won...there were 10k ppl there but it felt like 20-25k at Randwick.

lick · February 2020

R1 2pm R2 2.30pm etc R8 5.30pm after all there is only approx 12 minutes of racing. Suit all participants and staff. At the moment it’s a five hour programme with not a lot of action. I realise Sky Channel runs the timetables but something must be done - maybe the three codes have their own channel.

spinking · February 2020

Dont they have some food stalls on specific days such as Roma cup and Irish day. Unless those stalls etc are run by whoever has the food beverage contract there must be some get out clause. Maybe that cluas allows them to only have outside people on those specific days. I do think that the food Beverage angle is the way to go. Don't know who is responsible for making these decisions but surely that is more attractive to a wider range of people than the barbershop they set up a year or two back.look at the obvious instead of the outrageous. In saying that though looking at the crowd that attend now days who knows. The races now days seems to be more bucks shows hens nights than horses and punting

thefalcon · February 2020

I think u are on the money spinks, only allowed on certain days, roma, irish day etc.

if u had a food truck would you take it to a normal sat. meeting? you'd be nuts, the average age of 60, who've had their lunch, a man and his dog on course, the unsold stock you would accumulate makes it a waste of time and money.

DamienWyer · February 2020

Perth Racing still charge to get into the races on Saturday's don't they ? That is still a basic problem of getting people to the races. Food trucks are great but they need customers.

therealkramer · February 2020

DamienWyer said:
Perth Racing still charge to get into the races on Saturday's don't they ? That is still a basic problem of getting people to the races. Food trucks are great but they need customers.

I've floated this idea previously-I think it was from the basketball in the US, whereby a ticket number is drawn at random and awarded a cash prize. If PR must charge a gate fee, do it with an incentive attached to it. It doesn't have to be the entire gate taking but if it works then the upsurge in attendance will pay for the prize anyway. Not to mention the extra turnover generated.

paraletic · February 2020

Decent idea that, and very simple. Big ups from me.

Dodgey94 · February 2020

Free entry cheaper food and beer would be a great start.

Need more events on as well like Gloucester park tomorrow night Chinese New Year that will be packed.

savethegame · February 2020

Gloucester Park have tried quite a few ways, mainly,ten or more years ago, Like this one regards,the patrons think would fill out coupon in racebook, one winner a night,was drawn issued a key, think it ran for 12 weeks.?

The twelve winners would attend say week 13 there was only one key that fitted a car to start it the one who's key turned it over it became theres.

That type of scenario, where it runs for twenty weeks, five tokens issued each meeting between races during the day names drawn from filled out coupons--- from paid racebook's not the ones industry participants recieve ….. say 100 sponsored prizes. that have matching tokens that at week 21. are available, starting with value say 50 attached to prizes. with a major prize of 10k.value . Must be in attendance. to receive a token, plus on major prize day must be there.

You then got to hope they might have a bet,---- Takeover target,& Apache Cat should have had the joint bursting at the seams if the horses, are the total attraction.

Bucks · February 2020

Is saving $10-$20 in terms of free entry going to get me off the couch and heading to the track. No chance! Especially when i can sit on the couch with a few mates around, bet on my phone and flick over to the NBA or AFL between races.

I feel like racing is going down the same path as the WAFL and domestic cricket. We used to get huge numbers to those sorts of events too but now we only get decent crowds for the finals.

Perth racing and for that matter racing in general have to accept where they sit in the pecking order of entertainment options for patrons. Look where TV was 10-15 years ago. You only had a few channels to watch. Now you have about 20+ free to air channels, foxtel, netflix, stan Kayo... and that's just TV.

People are also busier than ever and to commit an entire afternoon to go to the races is pretty hard especially for those who work full time and have families.

I think Perth Racing would be better off bulldozing Belmont and replacing it with a venue the same size as The Merrywell. Build something small but high quality. Something which caters for current crowd numbers and limits your overheads. Something which doesn't take 60+ staff to run and base your revenue model on going hard on Irish day and Italian Day or other event days (which are already well received). If you can try add 1 or 2 more event days per season then great.

There's no need to conquer the world with world class stadiums just accept the changing times and change your business model to suit before it's too late.

thefalcon · February 2020

we talk of free entry....out of curiosity, do any eastern states venues throw the gate open?

Rodent · February 2020

thefalcon said:
we talk of free entry....out of curiosity, do any eastern states venues throw the gate open?

Friday nights at Canterbury are free entry.

TheDiva · February 2020

"change your business model"

nailed it...

GLAMOUR · February 2020

DamienWyer said:
Perth Racing still charge to get into the races on Saturday's don't they ? That is still a basic problem of getting people to the races. Food trucks are great but they need customers.

Yep still charge heard the last 2 weeks have been terrible,even a lot of Bars closed,and even closed all bars half an hour after last instead of an hr,but good horses bring people to races,but after the carnival they head to spelling paddock,then the above average ones head to Melbourne,all you have here is 3-4 WFA races where in Melbourne you can get in 1 race with the 4 races put together,WA horses had a great carnival over there showing they where up to matching it with the Eastern States.

Rodent · February 2020

What used to get punters to the track was the best odds and being able to watch the races and replays. Now you can get best odds off track and watch at home, there is no need to attend the track. Accept it and move on.

DamienWyer · February 2020

But do we know when we have a real good one ? Of course we get fed the usual bs about this one being above average or real good but as far as the wider public goes, horses are not identified as having above average ability until they race on the East Coast against quality opposition.

For instance, Black Heart Bart prior to him going East, was a top quality horse but he had little impact on the WA Racing public who don't go to Ascot or the graveyard, Belmont. When he won against high quality opposition, even when he just got beaten, he moved into folklore.

Miss Andretti had to travel East to really become a superstar. She went global from there.

There are many more who have a similar story in the last twenty years. I just think that WA Racing is just not valued for it's depth and that individual brilliance is not recognised here as most folks think it's an easier class than in Melbourne or Sydney.

From my various adventures away from the racetrack, I'm often surprised when in conversation, I find out that the person I'm playing Golf with, or on the Gold Coast buying racehorses, that they live here in Perth but have no involvement in WA Racing but yet own and breed good racehorses. When asked why, they scoff and say they will never race them here either.

GLAMOUR · February 2020

Yes days of big crowds,are gone,what it costs to get.into races,but a drink,have a bet,do for half price at home,but there's nothing like being there.

Tivers · February 2020

As I've said on here many times.

I wouldn't entertain going to the races unless I had a runner (or multiple runners actually - wouldn't bother for one).

And that's most Saturdays.

And I don't pay to get in. (so the gate not a distraction)

And I might have one or two beers tops. (so the prices not a distraction).

And yet I'd still prefer to watch from home, or a Pub etc.

It's just what it is - times have changed.

Entertainment options have expanded.

Lives are busier.

silky · February 2020

Agree with a lot of the above. Also, Sell Ascot and develop Belmont(grass and all weather tracks) with lights for night racing. Midweek twilight and weekend night racing all year round with shorter times between races. Build an exclusive state of the art modern building with sports bars - similar to the casino, food options etc, for members and owners only(they must look after their members and owners with 5 star facilities) For the general public, a few nice restaurants, bars and maybe a nightclub would draw in some new faces.

But the key to getting more people back to the track is Belmont(location) and night racing. People like a night out

psycho · February 2020

Think everyone here has basically missed the "biggest" reason for dwindling crowds. One word TECHNOLOGY, 25+ years ago if you wanted to watch a race you basically had to be at the track or if in a good area a TAB with SKY CHANNEL, now I can watch a race on something the size of a transistor in my backyard. The crowds will NEVER come back except on big days and really even those days are not that big now, look at our 2 big cup days (Perth and Melbourne) 15 years ago you couldn't move now you can wander the course and eat, drink and be merry at your leisure. Racing is a great game but it has missed the boat on the average youngster who cannot concentrate from race 1 to race 2

Precision1 · February 2020

Saying crowds will never come back is Not only defeatist but also ignores the whole reason this thread was created, it has been done elsewhere, it can be done here.

If the local pub can be packed on a given arvo/evening then no reason the races can’t be. There’s nothing a pub can provide that a race track can’t with some thought and management. There’s plenty a race track can offer a pub will never be able to. Get rid of the reasons not to go particularly entry charge and increase the offerings that attract crowds elsewhere. Live entertainment, cheap offerings in food and drink, live sports for those interested in that. If that was on offer at ascot I’d go there over the local every time, but buggered if I’m paying to go now for an inferior time

Precision1 · February 2020

And for those saying they prefer to stay at home, that’s great many do but you’re then not the target audience. I prefer to watch footy at home, knock back free eagles tickets all the time. That’s ok too

G'day Punter!

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