Agree with the fixed odds, they are a better tool than tote prices
As much as I hundred percent agree with you, I don't think there is anyone that would disagree here, if you put back the fixed odds on the channel then you might as well kill racing.
The bookmakers are not a sustainable punting option. Catch one big pick 6 and you are done. If you want to win, the only option is the tote. But to actually win, you need the tote pools to be up. That will never happen with the bookmakers taking more bets than the tote themselves. Belfair could be the solution, but our narrow minded authorities closed the door on that.
Agree with the fixed odds, they are a better tool than tote prices
As much as I hundred percent agree with you, I don't think there is anyone that would disagree here, if you put back the fixed odds on the channel then you might as well kill racing.
The bookmakers are not a sustainable punting option. Catch one big pick 6 and you are done. If you want to win, the only option is the tote. But to actually win, you need the tote pools to be up. That will never happen with the bookmakers taking more bets than the tote themselves. Belfair could be the solution, but our narrow minded authorities closed the door on that.
Again as an example we are watching Catterick where the fav has been on offer 6/10 ....5/10 etc from the books and has been scrolling at R1.10 a win and 60 cents a place.
Why would anyone have a tote punt ?
If Betfred had got the job we would have full HD and quality presenters plus a working tote.
These okes are just trial and error and did not do their homework cause we going backwards here at the moment.
It seems the elephant in the room is not being discussed and once again the, "keyboard cowboys", as the customers in this industry are commonly referred to, are left to guess what is going on. The same people behave the same way no matter what name you put on it, being as clear as mud and operating as if their customers are mushrooms.
What has not been discussed and clarified? Why a new channel? Why under the auspices of 4Racing TV? Why all the same actors and the only change is the name? If this 240 channel is for, "all participants of the industry", then why has KZN been excluded?
All the above does is encourage speculation and perpetuate the problems already faced by horseracing in South Africa.
My opinion is that it is disgraceful and I am surprised that those always so vocal in Gauteng & Cape Town about how wrong the "keyboard cowboys" are have kept quiet. The silence is deafening...
Is this an attempt by 4Racing to distance themselves from paying the money that is in dispute from the previous television agreement with Gold Circle & Phumelela? While it may be legal, is this maneuver considered ethical?
Don't get me wrong, i think that everyone in management or on the boards of both organisations should not be allowed into any position in racing administration ever again. How does anyone not have a signed contract and their financials signed off every year? Maybe Phumelela believed that the GC racing coverage was free and they could sell it?
As far as 240 being initially free and then moving on to subscription beggars belief. Do these people think that someone is going to pay for this separately? This year was the first time in 26 years that i did not have a cent on the MET, keep your product...... BTW 4Racing, besides the MET, Cape Town racing is on life support and will continue to need subsidies going forward. The fact that some of their races still have Grade1 status is ridiculous.
I hope GC members do not accede to any of the "strong arm" tactics and accept whatever is being offered to be part of 240. To those behind 4Racing, be careful of taking a tainted chalice and tainting it even further.
Mark Sham is spot on, "same people employed with no shame to the game".
The silence from the national training ranks is interesting, not a peep and yet all of them will trek to KZN to earn the money available during the upcoming season. Maybe reducing fines at the NHRA was more important that the future of racing.
I for one will not wager in JHB, WC or EC any longer, you can have it 4Racing.
Last edit: 3 years 3 months ago by Tigershark.
The following user(s) said Thank You: Dave Scott, Sylvester, Craig Eudey, Saint T
