Derek brugman wanted to have a punt

mister a wrote: its is very easy for Formgrids to add a trainer comment icon on each horse if need be, the trainer logs in and types a comment, or can instruct his assistant to

And with the formgrids model (online based) the comments will be ''real time'' which would be far more beneficial to the punter than print media which can be up to a few days old imo.

Why not just have qualifying trials with no betting for all unraced horses, no stakes , minimum times to qualify a maiden

Re trial if unable to place in a maiden
Re trial if put away for too long after a trial
No early betting for 2yo races

pirates wrote: dtf we accept for racemeetings a good 5 days before it takes place ..the bulk of horses are trained at training centres such as Fairview randjiesfontein summerveld asburton vaal milnerton philipi etc..if a journalist or tv presenter cannot make the effort to either visit the centre or use these modern day communication methods such as a telephone sms email fax twitter etc then they shouldn't have a job..Nadine rapson in pe is a shining example she visits Fairview which is the only training centre in pe and gets comments from all the trainers ..THERE ARE NO EXCUSES IN THIS COUNTRY FROM A TIME AND LOGISTICS POINT OF VIEW..it is damn right fcuking laziness from the journalists and from THE fcuking operators

In that case,how can someone in uk access Nadine's findings.

neigh wrote: Why not have a key with a few options as to the well-being of the horse, that the trainer can tick when nominating his horses. These can then be printed on the card eg A = eating up and working well.

What if trainer says D =is only 85% fit and should come on for the run and then horse wins.

dave betting also opens 48 hours befoer in SA for every race meeting

DTF that will happen. I am just trying to think of the easiest way info can be given out to the general public who only have printed access. Its a start with the least amount of hassle .

SA Racing is dying, Hong Kong Racing Booming- Why?

In Hong Kong, trainers who mislead bettors suffer the consequences
by Bill Finley
The most useless question any horse racing journalist in this country has ever asked a trainer is "how's the horse doing?" Yet it gets asked all the time and the answer is always the same: "He's doing great. Couldn't be doing better. Couldn't be happier how he's coming into the race."

It doesn't matter if the horse is cleaning up the feed tub and burning up the racetrack in the morning or sluggish around the barn, training like a snail and slightly lame in his left hind. The answer is the same.
Trainers often don't give the press, the stewards or betting public accurate information on the condition of their horses because no one is forcing them to do so. The culture of the racetrack is that that information is no one's business besides the trainer and, maybe, the owner.

Is that good for the betting public? Of course not. Even the NFL, which pretends that it is anti-gambling, understands this, which is one of the reasons why football is the most popular betting sport in the U.S. Every team is required to report when a player has an injury and what the likelihood is that he'll play on Sunday. That information is made available so that gamblers are not kept in the dark.

An informed bettor is someone who trusts the game. Someone who trusts the game is more likely to participate as a gambler. In Hong Kong, they get that, which is among the many reasons why Hong Kong has the highest betting handles of any country in the world.

Singapore-based trainer John O'Hara was fined the equivalent of $9,675 after a Nov. 23 race at Hong Kong's Sha Tin Race Course because he failed to report prior to the race that his horse Spalato "briefly exhibited a restricted action in its right hind leg in the stable prior to being presented to race." The horse wasn't exactly dead lame. According to the stewards' report, Spalato showed signs of discomfort in his right hind leg. O'Hara dealt with the problem by massaging the leg.

O'Hara failed to report the problem until after the race, therefore the bettors were not aware the horse had an issue. At 5-1, the Spalato finished 13th. The stewards reported that the fine would have been more severe if not for the fact that O'Hara admitted his transgression, albeit after the race, and was cooperative throughout the investigation.

"We do everything possible to respect the integrity of the wager and to keep the betting public informed of developments that can influence their decisions," said Bill Nader, Executive Director of Racing for the Hong Kong Jockey Club.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club does more than require trainers to report any problems they are having with their horses. Every horse that races in Hong Kong undergoes a private veterinary investigation the day before it races.

In an e-mail Chief Stipendiary Steward Kim Kelly explained: "The Club's Rules of Racing provide that any event, or circumstance, or veterinary condition which has the potential to affect a horse's performance in a race must be reported to either the Club's Veterinary Officers or the Stipendiary/Racing Stewards as soon as practicable so that;

1. The welfare of the horse is not compromised in any way.

2. The safety of the horse's rider is similarly not compromised.

3. The interests of the betting public are protected.

4. The reputation of the sport and that of the Club are not diminished."

When it came to the case of Spalato, Kelly explained that the Hong Kong Jockey Club simply will not tolerate a situation where the gamblers are betting on a horse without having full knowledge of any physical issues it may be having.

Kelly wrote: "It was the position of the Stipendiary/Racing Stewards and the Veterinary Officer that the horse was obviously lame for a period of time prior to the race and that this information should have been reported as it clearly had the very real potential to affect Spalato's performance in the race. Accordingly, the punting public had a right to be made aware of this information so that they could make an informed decision as to whether to support the horse financially. As importantly, if not more so, reporting the information would have permitted the Veterinary Officer to subject the horse to a stringent veterinary examination so that the horse's soundness to participate in a high-pressure race could be established. Subjecting the horse to a stringent examination acts to protect the welfare if the horse, the safety of the rider, all other horses and riders in the race and the punting public.

"Putting the welfare and safety issues aside, the public must have confidence in the regulation of the sport to ensure they continue to support racing. Confidence is enhanced by transparency and appropriate information being released in respect of the suitability of horses to race. There would be little doubt that those persons who supported Spalato financially on the relevant day would be rightfully disappointed that they were not made aware of the events prior to the race before they made their investments."

That's what you get in Hong Kong, where everything possible is done to protect the gambler.

That's Hong Kong.

Here? Transparency? That's just not how it is done.

neigh wrote: DTF that will happen. I am just trying to think of the easiest way info can be given out to the general public who only have printed access. Its a start with the least amount of hassle .

the masses still have access problems, thats why its easier for them to understand the ins and outs of soccer and other sports betting.

When i first started punting, we relied on the betting shops for our information,Prices,runners,non runners and results.(this made the occasional graft a big bonus)

"We do everything possible to respect the integrity of the wager and to keep the betting public informed of developments that can influence their decisions," said Bill Nader, Executive Director of Racing for the Hong Kong Jockey Club.

"We do everything possible to respect the integrity of the wager and to keep the betting public informed of developments that can influence their decisions," said Bill Nader, Executive Director of Racing for the Hong Kong Jockey Club.

"We do everything possible to respect the integrity of the wager and to keep the betting public informed of developments that can influence their decisions," said Bill Nader, Executive Director of Racing for the Hong Kong Jockey Club.

"We do everything possible to respect the integrity of the wager and to keep the betting public informed of developments that can influence their decisions," said Bill Nader, Executive Director of Racing for the Hong Kong Jockey Club.

"We do everything possible to respect the integrity of the wager and to keep the betting public informed of developments that can influence their decisions," said Bill Nader, Executive Director of Racing for the Hong Kong Jockey Club.

Dave,,, then you use YOUR judgement to decide whether the 85% fit horse will still win. Much better than thinking the horse is 100% and is a penalty kick. And of those 90 odd runners a trainer might have 10- max (Greeff, Smith sometimes a couple more... if Bass, Ramsden, Shams etc can do it...).

I don't agree journos have to do it, we need the industry to be pro-active everywhere and no reason why trainers can't post on ABC, Formgrids or a totally new website.

Bob... all meetings have prices up 48 hours before, you sure?

Mr H... imho you are not a million miles off what me and others are saying, you simply approach it from a different angle and that angle is causing a blind spot It may be the NHRA's job, I really don't care whose job it is, I just want to know and I think I have a right to know. Your comment "I will be the first to admit that if a trainer says "I know my horse and there's something wrong with him but I can't quite find out what" I'll listen but I'll not be rushing to the TAB when I hear a trainer or Jockey say "I'll win this race" unless I can confirm this with concrete exposed form or an essential equipment or medical change(gelding etc)"... pretty much spot on.

Don,the operators rely on the fact that their biggest customer base are from the
previously disadvantaged communities who don't question their pathetic service
and shithole facilities ,the educated punters are a pain to the operators

soodum unfortunately you are correct