October
FebruarySmall is beautiful
Tony Carter-Smith is absolutely correct. Punting may well be what supports the racing industry, but pushing punters into pubTABs or on to one track with 30-plus meetings a year is shortsighted to say the least! It will be the end of our industry long term no doubt.
Punting is not the lifeblood of our industry. It is a profit-making byproduct.
The hierarchy need to get out to the country meetings, where perhaps there are 800 people, and look at the demographic. Young families, with kids, all socialising and having fun, memories that will last a lifetime.
Then have a look in any dark, dank, lifeless TAB and compare. Then tell me which is more sustainable long-term.
Small trainers, breeders, owners and punters can’t be expected to move to other tracks. They will disappear into multiple other forms of entertainment.
The lifeblood of the industry is the small-town clubs.
Colac (Vic)