The British Horse Racing Authority is looking at ways that it can improve, with a forum spearheaded by its own CEO Nick Rust set to take place if the interest is there.
In an article published in The Guardian ‘BHA’s Nick Rust launches forum to bring punters in from the cold‘, Rust goes into great detail on now this forum can be beneficial for not only the industry but punters as well.
It’s been long known among those looking to punt in the UK that they are a little behind the times. There are no sectionals and at times important information like throat operations and horses being gelded goes amiss.
So what would a punter forum do for the industry here in Australia if we are already well ahead of the English in that regard?
Rust talks about increasing the betting on racing by five per cent, and this comes down to quality over quantity. When I talk to older punters who bet in my TAB they often tell me they won’t bet in a race with fields smaller than seven.
Yet this is becoming commonplace, especially at metropolitan Sydney meetings where small fields are frequent. Is it a geographic issue? Or is it stupid to have more than three race meetings in the same state, all on the same day?
Understandably connections want to race their horses where they are more likely to win, but if the industry is serious about looking after the punter then bigger fields with competitive races will spike interest, guaranteed.
You also need to create an atmosphere where people will bet. Racing is still considered a mug’s game and among my friends, all of which have just turned 21, I am the only one who has a keen interest in the sport. The student race day here in Canberra is probably the only time outside of Canberra Cup and Melbourne Cup Day that the racecourse attracts more than 200 people.
The reason is that Thoroughbred Park creates an environment that university students would want to be in, they bring in extra food vans, drinks and a live DJ to create a party atmosphere that differs to the regular, decrepit race days.
Another piece of information I would like to receive before I place a bet is the change of tactics. Too many times this information is not released or is notified two minutes before a race, and if you’re like me you put all your bets on of a morning, only to realise while watching the race your horse that usually sits midfield has gone to the lead only to get rundown in the straight by a horse that was racing midfield.
If the Australian Racing Board wanted to create a forum for punters here in Australia what do you think needs improving?
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