Also I love the idea of using distance or time handicaps rather than weight. I am sure with current technology it would be simple to construct a barrier where the individual gates opened at different times so that you could use a time handicap and watch the better horses chase down the slower ones. This would probably work best with straight races and I imagine it would be necessary to space the individual barriers wider (and probably block them in to a certain extent) so the horses aren't distracted by the earlier starts. Alternatively individual barriers could be constructed to allow distance handicaps. Obviously you wouldn't do this at small country clubs but the big metro clubs could certainly afford these "hi-tech" barriers and the racing would be fantastic!

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sorry fellas i hate this idea.

dont mind the state champs idea.

i think swimming is the most boring mainstream sport. i would much rather watch racing that i wasnt gambling on.

also i think your right in your comment that racing equals gambling. But why do people have a problem with gambling. It's up to the individual to spend their cash.

some will blow it at myers, some will drink it away and some will buy drugs or whatever. if managed gambling is not a problem but rather a great pastime especially having a punt on the gallops.

i dont think you can change general public opinion. so you wont be able to improve racing.

I agree that there are too many meaningless races particularly in qld. but then again its the 3rd biggest industry in Oz so it creates thousands of jobs,.

cheers