Darky dog,
You are 100% right about country racing being doomed.There is no doubt that the older brigade (myself included) have had terrific days at country races which are the backbone of city racing.

Long term things will backfire to the detriment of city racing. Horses unable to win city races were raced in the country with good success, but as there are nearly no country races of note anymore, owners have lost another opportunity to get a return for their investment and will soon wake up to this and not buy horses to race in the city.

The TAB and Sky Channel have caused most of these problems. With TAB privitation they are interested in the $ and as country racing is costing money they are not interested in proping it up.

Punters are treated like idiots by race clubs and without them the whole industry collapses.

Bookies were the greatest attraction to race going punters but cannot compete with TABs. The prices are a disgrace, caused by lack of punters, who are betting overseas and getting a better service. They have caused their own demise.