Radio Africa (Racing South Africa)

I'm hearing only bad news from Radio Africa, (read Racing South Africa)

I'rn hearing only sad news from Radio Africa



They've still got trouble with a monster in the South

Heads buried deep in that lion's mouth

Like a jaw snapped shut, it keeps them apart

If that jaw got broke it would be a start.

Above an extract from a banned song in the 80's - Looking at racing sites in South Africa it seems that the time has now come for a racings' Mandela and De Klerk to show leadership and find a venue for Racing's version of CODESA.... Remember racing is not a Country it is a hobby/industry so there will be no 'Packing for Perth' here - Gambling is a habit/addiction and if a punter can stay away for three weeks or more you could well lose him/her for life...... - They vote with wallets in this Election so best to act before they do and deliver their cash strapped lives to Casinos and Lotto vendors

In the Antique game there is nothing that can`t be fixed by the correct restorer

Perhaps the first step would be for the big three - ABC, Scotfree, and Racing Web - to put aside their differences and consolidate their members and form a Racing Constitutuion - perhaps a real time meeting at a venue could be arranged - A united opposition with a firm plan to have open and honest disscussions with Phumelela and the RA is the best course in my opinion - This is not a war but if it was the only winners will be other betting/leisure markets and perhaps wives/families that will soon find DAD home on a Saturday afternoon instead of spending his time at the local tote. (My own father stopped punting years ago when racing was suspended for a few months in Gauteng when we had the outbreak of Equine flu - He does not even have a cent on the July or Met and had been a punter most of his life - I could not pay him to have a bet now and I am on that very same path considering the way Racing is going at present). Living in the past won't solve anything so either we move on or get out(I know of many people that would love me and many of the contributors on the afore mentioned sites to just 'get out' - All I can say to these people is 'remember to turn off the lights" when the wake is over!!!

@Mr Hawaai:

with you on this... the right thing to do!

Look what happened after the council took back the Bankrupt Musselburgh(uk) a few years back


Musselburgh packed on a freezing cold raceday

Nothing wrong with change!

Watch this Clip

Looks packed becasue of the size. Stick 5 thousand people in Stenhousmuirs ground and wow you have a sell out. Stick the same 5 thousand at Parkhead and you have a paltry crowd. .

So solution to full racecourse is small stands. Easy.

9 000 capacity at musselburgh often sold out CnC,was just using Musselburgh as an example..

hibernia Wrote:

---

> 9 000 capacity at musselburgh often sold out
> CnC,was just using Musselburgh as an example..


Thats more than our annual attendance @ the Big T:

Race course attendance probably way down on the list of priorities that needs to be addressed; each group will have a different 'number 1'; as a (very small) owner, my gripe is stakes and not enough races/tracks; another 'klein jakkalsie' raises its head on the first night meeting this seaon in Gauteng tomorrow night.

Only 7 races carded; I believe the reason for this is that racing has to be completed at a specific time in order for the affected residents around Turffies to get their rest (so right there another little spoke in the wheel of having night racing in a residential suburb); but why do we need 35 minutes between races? And why do we need to start as late as 18:10 - I know getting to the track is a problem - but how many less people would there be on track if the first race starts earlier - say 17:45 - and then they can have have 9 races (2 extra maidens?) and still finish at 21:45. Rocket science?

Another debatable issue is the preference given to runners (maidens) trying to qualify for the 'Ready to Run' race - surely this is discrimination? Why should I in feature even consider buying at another sale (if I want to race in Gauteng)?

These seemingly small issues continue to irk and it seems that satisfactory answers/explanations are not forthcoming - so to quote mr H 'remember to turn out the lights'

Frodo Wrote:

---

> Race course attendance probably way down on the
> list of priorities that needs to be addressed;
> each group will have a different 'number 1'; as a
> (very small) owner, my gripe is stakes and not
> enough races/tracks; another 'klein jakkalsie'
> raises its head on the first night meeting this
> seaon in Gauteng tomorrow night.
>
> Only 7 races carded; I believe the reason for this
> is that racing has to be completed at a specific
> time in order for the affected residents around
> Turffies to get their rest (so right there another
> little spoke in the wheel of having night racing
> in a residential suburb); but why do we need 35
> minutes between races? And why do we need to start
> as late as 18:10 - I know getting to the track is
> a problem - but how many less people would there
> be on track if the first race starts earlier - say
> 17:45 - and then they can have have 9 races (2
> extra maidens?) and still finish at 21:45. Rocket
> science?
>
> Another debatable issue is the preference given to
> runners (maidens) trying to qualify for the 'Ready
> to Run' race - surely this is discrimination? Why
> should I in feature even consider buying at
> another sale (if I want to race in Gauteng)?
>
> These seemingly small issues continue to irk and
> it seems that satisfactory answers/explanations
> are not forthcoming - so to quote mr H 'remember
> to turn out the lights'

How many people will be on track anyway.... Turffontein is a dumb imo, no appeal to me:(

Does anyone know the situation on Bloemfontein course? Is it sold? Belonged to Graeme Hawkins if i heard correctly...it's just sitting there, like an old mine town...Dave, can you gather any info? Maybe Umlilo and The Fatman can organise...mmmm