Comments worth a post but not a thread of their own

Gilgamesh · February 15

Also it is far to simplistic to say meetings at 'prime tracks' generate more turnover so we should have more centralized racing.

I had a few bets AT GP friday night, had a couple at Bunbury sat too but you could have run that Wiliams meeting at Gloucester Park, could haver had it at my front door and I wasn't going to have a bet on it. I bet a few of the locals did though and that maintained their interest in the sport, they might follow up with a bet on something they liked at its next start where ever that is as well.

You can't just continue to squeeze the same sponge and expect to get more out of it. The bottom line is to grow turnover yep you might get some of us who are regulars to punt a bit more through various changes but you need to grow the audience, participation, "brand", call it what you will. Can have the greatest handicapping system on earth, the most up tempo tactical racing in the world but if only a handful of us know about it nothing much is going to change.

This is meant with no offense to anyone here but a large number of you are well intrenched in the bubble or grew up in a different era, there is a huge population out there that don't even know what harness racing/the trots are. I'm not talking about people far removed from what you would consider like minded interests ether. One of the boys from work-loves his footy, punts on the gallops regularly, no idea what the trots were. Have done my best to explain it, send him a message when I have backed one to see if I can shout the coffees the next day.

He would take his Mrs and the kid along to GP in a heart beat for a food truck evening. Then he'd have a few bets, I could tell him horse X he backed last week is in again, bang he's a convert.

Rocket_Reign · February 15

JayJay said:
Furthermore, WA is the umbilical cord for racing stock into the NSW regions. And most of the eastward bound HWOE refugees are coming from those who would be most affected by the well organised "close everything down unless it is close to my joint" regional lynching party.So, an orchestrated two pronged attack on the lesser profile stables who cant even begin to compete with the buy huge, race briefly, flog to the US brigade. Yep, sounds like a fantastic recipe for industry resurrection, water tight. At least their position is out in the open now, instead of all the behind the hand snickering and disingenuous smile and nod patronising.

Buy big from nz do a job then on sell is what you’ve tried except you haven’t bought anything worth on selling

JayJay · February 15

Inaccurate on so many fronts it is laughable.

freodockers · February 15

Given the current situation closing down all other clubs other than the big three is the most logical business decision.
However if it does come to this I hope the decision makers at least put a racing plan forward to the industry instead of just swinging the axe.
Does the industry get the same amount of meetings, will there be extra stake money due to the decrease in expenses and meetings etc etc.
I am not for closing down to three tracks in any way but it has now become the only out.
My beef and has been all along is
A) Who has been steering the vehicle that has got the industry into this position ?
B) Has this been the plan all along, because I certainly thought so.

Rocket_Reign · February 15

freodockers said:
Given the current situation closing down all other clubs other than the big three is the most logical business decision.
However if it does come to this I hope the decision makers at least put a racing plan forward to the industry instead of just swinging the axe.
Does the industry get the same amount of meetings, will there be extra stake money due to the decrease in expenses and meetings etc etc.
I am not for closing down to three tracks in any way but it has now become the only out.
My beef and has been all along is
A) Who has been steering the vehicle that has got the industry into this position ?
B) Has this been the plan all along, because I certainly thought so.

I don’t think we need to close the clubs, just the tracks the clubs are more than welcome to continue on at the premiere tracks like York has done

freodockers · February 15

Club/Track no different Rocket, once it’s closed it the remaining people slowly but surely move on to other interests.

aussiebattler · February 15

Rocket_Reign said:

freodockers said:
Given the current situation closing down all other clubs other than the big three is the most logical business decision.
However if it does come to this I hope the decision makers at least put a racing plan forward to the industry instead of just swinging the axe.
Does the industry get the same amount of meetings, will there be extra stake money due to the decrease in expenses and meetings etc etc.
I am not for closing down to three tracks in any way but it has now become the only out.
My beef and has been all along is
A) Who has been steering the vehicle that has got the industry into this position ?
B) Has this been the plan all along, because I certainly thought so.

I don’t think we need to close the clubs, just the tracks the clubs are more than welcome to continue on at the premiere tracks like York has done

Many Clubs have tried that and folded there is also a difference to clubs remaining and races still being in their region like York at Northam and what you propose of Williams at Bunbury their would be no interest for a club to do that

Rocket_Reign · February 15

aussiebattler said:

Rocket_Reign said:

freodockers said:
Given the current situation closing down all other clubs other than the big three is the most logical business decision.
However if it does come to this I hope the decision makers at least put a racing plan forward to the industry instead of just swinging the axe.
Does the industry get the same amount of meetings, will there be extra stake money due to the decrease in expenses and meetings etc etc.
I am not for closing down to three tracks in any way but it has now become the only out.
My beef and has been all along is
A) Who has been steering the vehicle that has got the industry into this position ?
B) Has this been the plan all along, because I certainly thought so.

I don’t think we need to close the clubs, just the tracks the clubs are more than welcome to continue on at the premiere tracks like York has done
Many Clubs have tried that and folded there is also a difference to clubs remaining and races still being in their region like York at Northam and what you propose of Williams at Bunbury their would be no interest for a club to do that

Then don’t do it but at least they have the option

aussiebattler · February 15

Rocket_Reign said:

aussiebattler said:

Rocket_Reign said:

freodockers said:
Given the current situation closing down all other clubs other than the big three is the most logical business decision.
However if it does come to this I hope the decision makers at least put a racing plan forward to the industry instead of just swinging the axe.
Does the industry get the same amount of meetings, will there be extra stake money due to the decrease in expenses and meetings etc etc.
I am not for closing down to three tracks in any way but it has now become the only out.
My beef and has been all along is
A) Who has been steering the vehicle that has got the industry into this position ?
B) Has this been the plan all along, because I certainly thought so.

I don’t think we need to close the clubs, just the tracks the clubs are more than welcome to continue on at the premiere tracks like York has done
Many Clubs have tried that and folded there is also a difference to clubs remaining and races still being in their region like York at Northam and what you propose of Williams at Bunbury their would be no interest for a club to do that

Then don’t do it but at least they have the option

What tracks would you close

And it’s not much of an option even Harvey disbanded and spread their funds to community clubs

Rocket_Reign · February 15

Keep the major 3 + Collie Albany and Busselton, the Sunday meetings would be at pinjarra same programming same stakes which is 4500 races picked in reverse order. Same for Friday second meeting but that be run at Bunbury

PictureSon1973 · February 15

The divisions between Country & City can’t be more apparent than seen on posts above a very sad
situation in my view and I’m born & bred in the City.
Love to know where Jrs , S.Mc’s , Chopper , Mickey G , Curley , A.C, L.B,K.P, Snr ,Browny,A.D,J.P basically all the States reinsman today & yesteryear all had their first drive?
You got to start in the Minor league before you get to the Big League .
No Minor tracks will equate to a small pool of Drivers and how will you replenish your
Driving Ranks when you will have basically 12 Elite Drivers primarily of the male Gender.
You in time have alienated the female participants and punters.

Unfortunately Harness Racing is a Business and it does have to pay its way but Country tracks do
need to be more financially efficient & productive . Realistically full time racing at Williams not possible as is evident .
Why can’t Northam have a duel meeting with the Greyhounds surely a more efficient usage of resources for both codes on that track?
Surely after harvest these tracks can promote their local Cups a 4 week Country Cups Round Locals will have free time to attend try and tie it in with the Local Country Shows May not be possible but
merely a suggestion

freodockers · February 15

If you close Wagin and Narrogin, Albany won’t be able to make fields as you will lose too many horses and trainers in the district.
Collie and Busselton may survive off Bunbury region but what would be the point of two SS tracks getting a few meetings a year.
As I said if they proceed down this course get it right up front otherwise they will continue to go round in circles.

curmudgeon · February 15

Meeting Code	GM021200
Date	02-Dec-00
Club Name	KALGOORLIE
Track Name	GOLDEN MILE
Race Number	3
Race Name	G.W.N. STAKES
Pace or Trot	PACERS
AHRC Class	C5-C11
Group Status
Stakes	$3,851
Start Type	MS
Distance	2518m

Place	Name	Prizemoney	Hcp	Driver	Margin
1	PEE PEE GEE NZ	$2,618	FT	J C SUVALJKO
2	THE PROSECUTOR	$693	FT	K M CONDIPODERO	0.50
3	UPWARDLY MOBILE NZ	$347	FT	G E Hall Snr	6.25
4	OMNIPOTENT	$116	FT	G L WILLIAMS	8.25
5	SLICK MACRAY	$77	FT	O J GILBRIDE	8.75
6	SALT AND VINEGAR	$0	FT	R H JAMES	26.00
7	OPTUS HANOVER	$0	FT	P C BRODIE	47.25
8	NO TAKERS	$0	FT	B M ANGUS	66.25
9	KICKIN IT	$0	FT	M J SAW	66.25

Gee....seems G Bond G Hall Snr & G L Williams weren't too proud at one stage to be racing in the country.( Kalgoorlie even) for their own reasons. Wonder what has changed that relative non entities feel they can call to close more country clubs down with no detrimental effect ?

aussiebattler · February 15

Rocket_Reign said:
Keep the major 3 + Collie Albany and Busselton, the Sunday meetings would be at pinjarra same programming same stakes which is 4500 races picked in reverse order. Same for Friday second meeting but that be run at Bunbury

Nope won’t work Albany won’t survive they don’t hold many meetings too far for trainers from their to the rest of the 3 main tracks for the majority of the season and half the horses down there are from Kellerberrin or outer trainers .Cant run 12 months a year

They would need

Narrogin an Northam : Dual code tracks in WA and a lot of funds invested setting the facilities etc up DVN links in place and Narrogin club is on the improve with facilities self funded projects

My suggestion you Need

A Class track GP Friday for the elite horses

B Class track Pinjarra Monday /Bunbury And GP split every second Tuesday (they are reluctant to give up meetings at GP but it has to happen ) drawn from top down on FSP

C Class tracks Saturdays Northam/Narrogin/Albany at current stake level Drawn In Ascending order to drive more better performed horse by way of ballot to the midweek meetings

Fields would be more competitive ,more exiting racing and hopefully better turnover

It’s up to RWWA and the industry if community tracks survive but the suggestions have been reduction to single cup meetings at some tracks at better stakes levels hopefully (bring them to the same stakes as Narrogin/Northam/Albany plus a Cup race

With lower horse number it’s probably inevitable that meetings will be reduced the double up fridays may go and extra meeting at the 3 major tracks won’t be possible and Maximisation of profits must be achieved through a different strategy

It would be more like AFL/WAFL/Country League it does not discriminate on where you are based how big a stable you are and is performance based if your travelling well you race in the big league if your not you head back to the reserves

SLIPPERGOLDEN · February 15

Why are you lot posting on this vague thread when many of you can legitimately open fresh threads for your topics?

maybeso · February 15

JayJay said:
Inaccurate on so many fronts it is laughable.

Never argue with an idiot, JJ. They drag you down to their level and beat you with experience.

Rocket_Reign · February 16

maybeso said:

JayJay said:
Inaccurate on so many fronts it is laughable.
Never argue with an idiot, JJ. They drag you down to their level and beat you with experience.

Feel free to enlighten me on what you’ve tried to do then? Spent good money on horses for Collie and Busselton so you could beat up on the weak fields?

cisco · February 16

I will tell you something Rocket. Without owners like Jay Jay you dont have an industry! Pull your head in and concentrate on your own backyard!!!

Rocket_Reign · February 16

cisco said:
I will tell you something Rocket. Without owners like Jay Jay you dont have an industry! Pull your head in and concentrate on your own backyard!!!

That’s just a standard quote from either people who have tried and failed or people who are currently trying but failing! I see it the other way. Don’t try drag the industry too its knees so you can compete! Either get better, get out or shut up and accept that more often than not you’re gonna find someone who does it better than you! Harness racing’s biggest downfall is lack of professionalism. It’s people with your mentality and the ones who want to make races weaker that are, have and always will hold it down to this level. There are endless views from the so called ‘little guys’ on how they can make the game more fair or even. It’s absolute bullshit. I’d love to see you guys in charge of a industry like the AFL for example. You’d make the grounds smaller so the slower guys could keep up and widen the goal post so even I could compete with the likes of Tom Hawkins!
Just a bunch of whinging old men!
Actually that should be the thread name...

Rocket_Reign · February 16

And before you start bashing your keyboard to respond remember that I am the little guy at this stage just doing my best to get better not expect the industry to fall to my level

savethegame · February 16

I always have judge people in both codes to what levels they stoop in order to succeed.

cisco · February 16

I hope 54 is not considered old Rocket although some days I feel 84!!

maybeso · February 16

Rocket_Reign said:

maybeso said:

JayJay said:
Feel free to enlighten me on what you’ve tried to do then? Spent good money on horses for Collie and Busselton so you could beat up on the weak fields?

Well .. I have never been disqualified for 4 years for fixing a race.

I take great pride in that.

Rocket_Reign · February 16

maybeso said:

Rocket_Reign said:

maybeso said:

JayJay said:
Feel free to enlighten me on what you’ve tried to do then? Spent good money on horses for Collie and Busselton so you could beat up on the weak fields?
Well .. I have never been disqualified for 4 years for fixing a race.

I take great pride in that.

Good job give yourself 2 pats on the back

Markovina · February 16

What i found with the Victorian situation when the pandemic 1st kicked in - to keep their industry open ( and full credit to them ) they basically raced at Bendigo Balarat and Melton ( all very strong harness racing areas

2 things i found with that ( after several weeks of that format )the racing became so monotonous - same 3 tracks and same horses - i nearly lost complete interest in it -

And from a betting point of view - there was no overs - because they were racing at the same tracks

Now the Vics have opened up all 24 tracks - the interest and variety comes back - and from a betting point of view - well a horse now can go to say Swan Hill - then perhaps to Geelong - maybe to Cobram or Charlton - then to Shepparton - across to Ballarat - then back to Melton - so because all tracks are different shapes and sizes ( some horses are suited at some tracks and some aernt ) so the form is no where near as exposed - so if you put a bit of time and effort in ( watching replays etc ) and if you have got half a clue then the beautiful overs re the odds bet ( which totally dissappeared when they were racing on only 3 tracks ) come back into the picture/equation

jum · February 16

aussiebattler said:

Rocket_Reign said:

It would be more like AFL/WAFL/Country League it does not discriminate.

=)) =)) =))

I am the president of the Collie Eagles in the SWFL. I find this sentence hilarious

MrSmartArse · February 16

So stop hiding behind a pseudonym Rocket you are very opinionated. So come clean to your audience. Who are you.

Chariotsonfire · February 16

I thought Maybeso outed him anyway and not sure that is kocha.

Debate is getting very personal and that will achieve nothing.

Rocket_Reign · February 16

MrSmartArse said:
So stop hiding behind a pseudonym Rocket you are very opinionated. So come clean to your audience. Who are you.

Oh wow you’d be the only one on here that doesn’t know who I am and in turn I know who everyone on here is apart from yourself and Maybeso

Muldoon · February 16

Rocket_Reign said:

Chariotsonfire said:

Reading through all this, can someone lead me to a link that RWWA have put on paper that this is a likely thing to happen going foward, or is this all just talk ?

G'day Punter!

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