tragic - my class system would eliminate many maiden races as more horses would get out of the maiden area quicker and there would be incentive to race at ones best to get out of class 1.
the footy attracts people because its consistent, racing isnt.
we need to see more horses winning race after race - this is what people notice.It builds up an aura, the current system is obsessed with producing so many jumbled races that very few horses put together a winning streak.
I suspect this is encouraged by the bookmakers, who obviously dont want favourites winning all the time.

I dont think the problem is that there is too much racing, there is just too much meaningless racing - it just needs structure.

Nanook - dont get me started on what the TAB does :smile:

they attract massive revenues yet have hopeless websites, some so slow you die before the bet is processed.
I am all in favour of the TAB, because they have no reason to want crooked racing, they just want lots of it.

but... they dont seem to understand supply and demand very well.
the racing industry gets its money from TAB turnover, the more money invested on the TAB the more the industry gets.

you dont have to read much of this forum to hear people say they dont bet on the place, or they dont bet on harness and greyhound for the place because of the collapsing price.
the TAB's should fix this because they would increase turnover.

I would suggest the introduction of 2 mechanisms - I am not an expert on the TAB but I believe they could do this.

1) place betting on the trots and dogs sees a deluge of money in the last minutes. I would like to see the TAB's limit bets to less than $100 over the final 5 minutes so that if bookies are using the system they have to get their money in 5 minutes before go or not use the TAB. Small punters are unaffected but you would get more stability of price.

2) for trots and dogs there should be an incentive offered to favourites supporters to protect against getting nothing for your bet.
NSW offers 1.04 as the minimum on most bets whilst the other two TABS only give you 1.00

I would like to see a bonus of 10cents offered to punters placing bets of $100 or less who bet 5 minutes or more before the race. So if you take the favourite, put your bet on 5 minutes before go and it pays only 1.00 or 1.04 then you would get a bonus that takes the payout up to 1.10

this would see more small punters have a go at place betting because you would know you get something rather than nothing, it would pay for itself with increased turnover and it would create greater price stability over the final few minutes.

from a betting point of view harness and dogs are the weak links, they need help to get more people involved. The TAB should be proactive in this area because everyone benefits from increased turnover.

see ya
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