Sectional timing ⏱

Re: 4RACING TV TRACKING SYSTEM

Dear Racing Colleague,
4Racing’s ongoing quest to improve and modernise South African horse racing by adding leading digital technology is ready for the next step by introducing the testing of an in-race tracking system.
In the presence of the NHA, 4Racing has already carried out initial tests of the Finnish GPS-based Traxmeet system at Turffontein Racecourse. Thanks to the assistance of trainers Joe Soma, Paul Peter and Robyn Klaasen and jockeys Gavin Lerena and Jeffrey Syster tests confirmed there was no hindrance to the jockey or horse.
We would like to attain the support from yourselves, the jockeys’, and trainers, to carry out one more extensive test under race conditions. We are proposing these tests to be done at Turffontein on Thursday, 28 July 2022.
4Racing believes the implementation of this system, which is already in widespread use across Scandinavia, will be a huge positive development for SA racing. The system will provide race data such as Sectional timing, live speed, horse position during races, fastest acceleration. This data will be utilised during the broadcast on Racing240, as well as being available to racing industry stakeholders.


The units weighing 93 grams and measuring 75mm x 35mm x 25mm will be placed in one of four pockets that have been specifically sewn into the existing saddle cloths used at Turffontein Racecourse. These pockets, sewn on three sides with a Velcro closing facing the jockey, are located at the back of the saddle cloth. The reason for having the four pockets is it gives you, the jockeys and trainers, a choice as to where you would like to have the unit placed.
Speed tracking systems have previously been tested in South African horseracing, however 4Racing is confident that with the support of jockeys and trainers the new technology will meet the requirements of the NHA and considerably enhance the horseracing broadcast experience.
4Racing will be hosting a briefing session, open to anyone wishing to attend, at 10h00 on Thursday, 28 July, to showcase this tracking system. Should you have any queries with regards the above, please contact Adam Brooke (adam@4racing.tv) for assistance, prior to the test date highlighted above.
We look forward to working with you all to take racing to the next level.

Yours sincerely,

Without doubt this is the single most positive thing to have come out of the 4Q debacle. I hope this is a better system than line your pockets Larry's Irish attempt

.....not holding my breath on this one either....would seem like the very same broadcasting gurus that bring us trouble free Racing TV....

It's a wonderful tool to have for SA racing but has such a "captured" type stigma due to past experiences.

4RacingTV to test in-race speed tracking system at Turffontein on 28 July

26 July 2022

4Racing will use the race meeting at Turffontein on Thursday 28 July to do a final round of testing for an in-race speed tracking system aimed at providing richer race data for form studiers and enhancing the 4RacingTV live broadcast experience.

The system will provide race data such as sectional timing, live speed, horse position during races and fastest acceleration. The data will be utilised during local racing’s live broadcasts, as well as being made available to racing industry stakeholders online.

4RacingTV has already carried out initial tests of the Finnish GPS-based Traxmeet system at Turffontein Racecourse, in the presence of the National Horseracing Authority (NHA).

Trainers Joe Soma, Paul Peter and Robyn Klaasen and jockeys Gavin Lerena and Jeffrey Syster assisted with the initial tests and confirmed there was no hindrance to the jockey or horse.

4RacingTV has now sought to obtain the support of a wider range of jockeys and trainers, to carry out the more extensive test under race conditions at Turffontein on 28 July.

“4Racing’s ongoing efforts to improve and modernise South African horse racing by adding leading digital technology is ready for the next step by introducing the testing of this in-race tracking system. 4Racing believes the implementation of this system, which has already been approved in and is being used in Scandinavia, will be a huge positive development for SA racing and we look forward to working with all industry stakeholders to take horseracing to the next level,” said head of 4RacingTV, Stephen Watson.

“We have been evaluating two systems used abroad to bring sectional timing, speed and position data to SA Racing. Like many international racing jurisdictions, this data should be included in our live broadcast feeds and be made available for download online post-race. The test this week will allow us to complete the final data accumulation tests in full race conditions, with all data being pushed directly into our cloud environment on the fly. We will not be publishing/broadcasting the live data to broadcast in this first full race test, but based on its success, this will follow shortly after if we are satisfied with both the data integrity and other factors like latency and API flows. We will however publish and provide the data to racing stakeholders and engage them on this,” Watson added.

4Racing will host a briefing session at Turffontein, open to anyone wishing to attend, at 10h00 on Thursday, 28 July, to showcase this tracking system.

For any queries with regards to the in-race speed tracking system, please contact Adam Brooke (adam@4racing.tv) for assistance, prior to the test date.

ENDS

For any media inquiries contact Jermaine Craig at JermaineC@4racing.com or on 0832010121.

Hi Dave, we have heard a few stories about the last attempt… and I will leave it there.

We remain positive re the test conducted to date on this system and the consults we have had with the team overseas. We are taking it step by step ( test, consult, repeat ) and the results so far are promising.
In my opinion, we have to find a solution that works for the SA racing market (both technically and commercially) to bring this rich data to racing’s stakeholders. If other racing jurisdictions have achieved this, we have to cross this bridge too, so I am hopeful this will take us forward.

Hi Muhtiman, we hope you will not have to hold your breath…
As with all the systems we have had to upgrade to future proof and digitally transition this business / racing, we are consulting with both local and international partners. Each system has be to localised and deal with specific local environments, from cloud, connectivity and infrastructure differences and other local nuances. In this instance there is no legacy systems and accordingly no migration or interchangeability challenges, so here is hoping we have an easier adoption of this tech. We will do our best…

Hi Over the Air,
I have heard a few stories about the previous systems trialed… will leave it there.
I assure you this is a different system, which has been deployed and is operational overseas. It is one of two systems shortlisted after receiving various proposal. Once technically assessed, the commercials have naturally influenced which systems have been given preference. Our soft currency means every Euro or Dollar added hurts, so we have to find a solution that works for our local market economically. Fingers crossed we have made good progress and if these last full race tests prove successful and all stakeholders are satisfied - we may well finally be able to provide the industry with this rich data soon. If you would like anymore info, please email Adam or myself stephen@4racing.tv - we extend this invite to anyone else too.

SW18 wrote:

Hi Over the Air, I have heard a few stories about the previous systems trialed… will leave it there. I assure you this is a different system, which has been deployed and is operational overseas. It is one of two systems shortlisted after receiving various proposal. Once technically assessed, the commercials have naturally influenced which systems have been given preference. Our soft currency means every Euro or Dollar added hurts, so we have to find a solution that works for our local market economically. Fingers crossed we have made good progress and if these last full race tests prove successful and all stakeholders are satisfied - we may well finally be able to provide the industry with this rich data soon. If you would like anymore info, please email Adam or myself stephen@4racing.tv - we extend this invite to anyone else too.

Scandinavian racing is renowned for harness racing. USA and even Canadian smaller tracks like Finger Lakes and Fort Erie has sectional timing. In North America this is how they derive the Beyer Speed Figure. Why was American race tracks or companies not consulted. 4Racing is already using Amtote, a North American company. Surely they could have referred you to a company.

naresh wrote:

SW18 wrote:

Hi Over the Air, I have heard a few stories about the previous systems trialed… will leave it there. I assure you this is a different system, which has been deployed and is operational overseas. It is one of two systems shortlisted after receiving various proposal. Once technically assessed, the commercials have naturally influenced which systems have been given preference. Our soft currency means every Euro or Dollar added hurts, so we have to find a solution that works for our local market economically. Fingers crossed we have made good progress and if these last full race tests prove successful and all stakeholders are satisfied - we may well finally be able to provide the industry with this rich data soon. If you would like anymore info, please email Adam or myself stephen@4racing.tv - we extend this invite to anyone else too.

Scandinavian racing is renowned for harness racing. USA and even Canadian smaller tracks like Finger Lakes and Fort Erie has sectional timing. In North America this is how they derive the Beyer Speed Figure. Why was American race tracks or companies not consulted. 4Racing is already using Amtote, a North American company. Surely they could have referred you to a company.

Traxmeet is a free Internet service for managing and sharing training information together with GPS technology, Heart Rate Monitoring and Google Maps to present exercise information. You simply record your performances and upload it afterwards to Traxmeet for a further route replay, analysis and comparison.

.....here we go again....:blink:

.....excuse the skeptics....but seen so much wool....we should remain as sheep...:dry: .

Muhtiman wrote:

naresh wrote:

SW18 wrote:

Hi Over the Air, I have heard a few stories about the previous systems trialed… will leave it there. I assure you this is a different system, which has been deployed and is operational overseas. It is one of two systems shortlisted after receiving various proposal. Once technically assessed, the commercials have naturally influenced which systems have been given preference. Our soft currency means every Euro or Dollar added hurts, so we have to find a solution that works for our local market economically. Fingers crossed we have made good progress and if these last full race tests prove successful and all stakeholders are satisfied - we may well finally be able to provide the industry with this rich data soon. If you would like anymore info, please email Adam or myself stephen@4racing.tv - we extend this invite to anyone else too.

Scandinavian racing is renowned for harness racing. USA and even Canadian smaller tracks like Finger Lakes and Fort Erie has sectional timing. In North America this is how they derive the Beyer Speed Figure. Why was American race tracks or companies not consulted. 4Racing is already using Amtote, a North American company. Surely they could have referred you to a company.

Traxmeet is a free Internet service for managing and sharing training information together with GPS technology, Heart Rate Monitoring and Google Maps to present exercise information. You simply record your performances and upload it afterwards to Traxmeet for a further route replay, analysis and comparison.

.....here we go again....:blink:

.....this may well work..:woohoo: ..and yes one can be unduly cynical but one has got to think how one finds these obscure little vendors....and why.... and maybe the reason of why we cannot have state of the art North American proven systems as it most probably does not leave enough meat on the bone.... let alone be served with copious amounts of gravy....:S

YellowTracker is a Traxmeet and Yellow Film & TV system. Yellow Film & TV is a leading Nordic production company, specializing in high-end drama, comedy, and entertainment – both domestically and globally. Traxmeet specializes in live sports tracking and wellness tracking, responsible for over 1,000 races per year globally.

hardly glowing referrals..well who can argue with this then....:huh:

.....but wait....here is the hook.....

Ease of Implementation and Use – To minimize the cost to each racetrack, YellowTracker’s portable design allows it to be quickly and efficiently moved from one track to the next. Following a one-time survey and installation of two antennas, the rest of the YellowTracker system (tracking devices and base station) is plug-and-play and fits into a single carrying case.

Enhanced Viewing Experience – Due to the well-designed user interface, YellowTracker displays the tracking data in friendly, visual terms, making the sport (and the ability to bet) accessible to a diverse range of new fans, while at the same time offering an impressive array of in-depth analyses for the more experienced viewers.

Advanced, In-Race Data – Thanks to the real-time, centimeter-accurate location tracking, a wide variety of new betting options are potentially available for your viewers, allowing them to bet more often. The data from YellowTracker can also be sent to trainers, jockeys, and horse owners for a closer and more specific analysis of how their horse performed (everything from how many extra meters their horse may have run, all the way down to stride length).

........:ohmy: