Racehorse TALK

Personally I have numerous theories.
I started a thread here some time ago asking what horse would get you to go to the races.
Not one top class 2yo was mentioned.
Why does racing push all the prizemoney into 2yo races for horses that will not continue their form.
Champions get people to the races - 2yos dont long term. In fact they are counterproductive to racing.
Pricing stops people from going to the races.
In Queensland they charge $15 per head to get into the races, $5.50 for a hot dog and $8 for a beer.
Makes an expensive day compared to going to a pub or club which offers the same service, other than seeing horses -which most have no interest in.
Basically no serious punter will go to the track as they have been hunted out for wanting to use computers and access competition to the 2 on course bookmakers(in Qld).
I have many others which I will slowly add.
All input is most welcome.

The short answer is...................you won't!  All my friends who go regularly every single Saturday do not go for a particular horse! They go for the social aspect!  They punt, drink and socialise.  They are in the older age group.  The young only go on major race days and go to get drunk and pick up the opposite sex (or otherwise!!!)

IMHO the crowds of yesteryear when you had to line up to get in and line up to get paid out by the bookies will never return! 

Too many choices these days...........................!  Can sit at home and punt, drink, eat and watch the races on Sky on our own lounge-room TVs! Or can go to the TAB, pubs, taverns, other sports clubs etc. etc. etc.

We've failed to attract the young in days gone by and now they prefer to avail themselves of all the other opportunities to socialise.  Plus there is a plethora of other sports available to them that they find more attractive not only to watch, but to participate in.   

Similar to jazz..................the young do not follow jazz.  You could go into a jazz club anywhere in the world on a Saturday night (including New York where they have major major jazz musicians playing) and you will find these venues practically empty............Sad!     

No offence Pisces but I refuse to accept that.
some of what you say is true re staying at home ,pubs clubs etc.
Surely race clubs can compete?
If a lawn bowling club can be succesful surely a horse racing club can be?
The race clubs are just not going about it in the right way.

Don't race everyday. Make racing a special event and by doing so greater crowd numbers will turn up.

If we played footy everyday the crowd numbers would be smaller as well. Week to week build up makes it exciting.

No offence taken DJH...........them's just my thoughts!

I used to go every single Saturday now punt from home on my computer!  Bet a lot of formites now do the same.   We need to research them as to why???

If we could come up with the answer, we'd be the toast of all race clubs across Australia. 

Quite a few years ago I visited Japan and as part of the visit I was taken to the Main Tokyo area Racetrack. Some miles from the track police had blocked most arteries I am told because the Racetrack had already filled the track to patron capacity. Cars except those with entry qualifications were turned around after being told the Racetrack was full.

The crowds at the racetrack were so huge in Japan that they run half the races clockwise and half anti-clockwise so that the crowd does not have to move and a fair access near a winning post is possible for a much greater number of patrons.

Now in Australia the Race clubs or someone,  decided that showing races on the free to air television would affect track attendance, but in Japan there appeared to be wide coverage of all races on many TV channels. So the wide coverage of racing on Television off track in Japan, showed to a wide audience just how exciting and interesting the races can be and consequently many new customers were drawn to the tracks.

Have not been up there for a number of years but they could  sure pull a full crowd to the races. Oh and they at the time were an all tote industry, with Off Course TABs, not sure if they have Bookmakers now.

If not already capable, the tracks need to be laptop friendly ( IE somewhere you can place a compact portable computer down,  with free wireless access available. Cheers.  

Make the track a competitive place to have a bet.

Stop ripping people off in relation to food and drink prices.

free food
less commissions
improve viewing for stabled horses, not all tracks are like rosehill.
better facilities, by that i mean for the punter, access to tv's, approximates, formguides etc
abolish antiquated gaming laws
corps, bookies, tote and betfair all on course
laptop terminals
yearly pass (someone mentioned bowling clubs and our local had a badge draw for members last week with 10k for a lucky member, could easily do same for oncourse patrons every week, the catch is you have to be there to collect)
less racing means more quality, a proper racing schedule which is workable to all parties. until the programming is right the racing will be wrong for new and incumbent particpants
sack vllandys and bob and totally disseminate the ARB and aushorse, few other associations arent needed and should all be under one national umbrella not state by bloody state

rectify issues such as formguides, results, videos, sectionals and pay tv.
broadcast free on digital tv

theres plenty more but that should get you started.

Clubs make their money out of food and alcohol, so free food is a no-goer! 

Wrong approach goveror,

Tracks do not want to entice the hard nosed punter, that bird has flown since the invention of the internet, and the online bookies.

What they need to attract, is the younger generation, looking for something different to the niteclub, pub, club, social scene.

They need to make it a social event, where friends catch up and have a few drinks togther, and have a laugh and a good time, this can be done, and it can be done on a weekly basis.The younger generation, want to socialise with their friends, and they want to do it weekly most times, and the races offer a uniquie place for friends to gather, and have a good time.

Once there, guys and gals will bet, trying to impress each other, some will fall in love with the industry, and will continue their love affair with the gg's through the rest of their life.

One thing we need to get past, is thinking we can get the serious punter back on track, if they are serious, then they won't come to the track, when they can bet at home with 2 and 3 computer screens, mointor the prices, and doing the form, unless you are going to start giving money away

Free entry on non-major days.

How much do you think a pie, & schooner or a cup of chips actually costs the race club?

It's bordering on theft what thes sporting venues expect people to pay.

I stopped going when it started to cost me half my wagering dollar just to get into the joint and have a beer

Can't think of any Club that gives away free food! 

Can't imagine any frocked-up lady being excited about a bucket of chips, a pie and schooner! 

Pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeease!   

I do not know a single girl who does not like chips.  They may eat them only sparingly, but I'm pretty sure the love of chips is genetic in women.  And women would never drink beer, would they.