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megsy
17 Jun 12 06:35
Joined:
Date Joined: 01 Aug 11
| Topic/replies: 5,251 | Blogger: megsy's blog
took the missus and a few friends to Tabcorp Park Melton on thursday, fantastic meals for $12, i looked around thinking, only a dozen so people besides my group enjoying lunch and the rest of melbourne dont know of this hidden beauty.
over looking the track near the winning post i noticed a horse ,sulky and its driver come onto the track, followed by 6 others. i thought, maybe a local trainer has permission to trial some of his horses.
i watch what unfolded, they lined up and took off, race caller in full voice. i took a look at the tote screen, there were actually races on this day, it was race 1.

whilst the race was being run i walked out to the fence line near the winning post, i quickly looked back and noticed the HUGE crowd. i quickly counted that crowd. it didnt take that long, i got to 2

only 2 people and they were from the sportsman bar, probably locals out having a smoke.

how times have changed, internet bettings the future.
Pause Switch to Standard View Trots attendance near zero
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Report gardenstar June 17, 2012 7:26 AM BST
Too far out of Melbourne... no public transport... but CEO says this place will be swarming with people in 20 years time...don't think it can hang on for 20yrs to reinvigorate itself...needs help now!
Report Aussie Driver June 17, 2012 7:43 AM BST
Hopefully not the Globe Derby model all over again, but it certainly has a lot of similarities
Report Lets Elope June 17, 2012 7:50 AM BST
what genius builds a state of the harness racing complex but doesn't cater for mass transit? I find that staggering and is one reason why I have never gone to melton sinces its been in operation in the couple of times I've been to melbourne during the spring racing carnival when I've gone over for that however I always used to go ot MV during the carnival because of the relative ease of access.  I'm not going to catch a train then wait for a courtesy shuttle to take me to the track and vice versa on the way home.
Report Khan321 June 17, 2012 8:20 AM BST
This was inevitable when they moved from Moonee Valley to Melton and surely nobody is kidding themselves otherwise.  I bet thousands at melton but am certainly never going to go there.
Report Lets Elope June 17, 2012 8:22 AM BST
moving it elsewhere is one thing but not catering for public transport on the site where you move to is ridiculous
Report trotlover June 17, 2012 8:39 AM BST
Tracks today are not punter friendly.
Report gardenstar June 17, 2012 8:40 AM BST
Racing administrators are not punter friendly
Report Lets Elope June 17, 2012 8:47 AM BST
It's hard enough to attract people to the track with throwing bostqcles in front of them, I mea seriously whats the point in spending millions on complex such as Melton and then not making it easy for the public to get there. You don't need to be a farking rocket scientist to work that one out. The attitude of racing administrators and controlling bodies towards the punter and the general public never cease to amaze me.
Report Kye June 17, 2012 8:50 AM BST
LE their job is to make the sport profitable. perhaps they dont need punters to go to the track to make that happen
Report trotlover June 17, 2012 8:53 AM BST
You can see by some of their programming they have given up trying to get punters to the track. Country towns run gallops and trot meetings on the same day. Its all about turnover.
Report Lets Elope June 17, 2012 8:56 AM BST
Kye its a no brainer that you don't spend millions on a supposedly state of the art complex and then make it difficult for people to get there. Its all very well to say all the money is off course Kye but you need to get a new generation of people involved in the sport and enthusiastic about it and you do that by getting them to the track to see and watch the horses close up and to gain an understanding of what's involved.
Report uncleee June 17, 2012 8:58 AM BST
they could build a bullet train to menangle and i wouldnt go
Report Kye June 17, 2012 8:59 AM BST
The new generation have Sky channel & iPads & iphones to place & watch their bets. You dont need them to see it live for them to be hooked
Report Lets Elope June 17, 2012 9:02 AM BST
To become involved inthe sport you do Kye, the desire to own a horse or to learn how to become a trainer or a driver you don't generally obtain that from sitting at home watching something on tv or on a computer.
Report The_KAMIKAZEE_DRINKING_MACHINE June 17, 2012 9:41 AM BST
Nothing gets past you Megsy!! A trot meeting at Melton trots!! Sneaky basstards.
Report Lloydy Trots Man June 17, 2012 10:01 AM BST
Ill stick up for Melton a Bit here.
But they still have a long way to improve and need huge improvement in Marketing.

Yes its a bit far from Melbourne 45ks about $80 Taxi. Its not Hard to get there.
But Most trainers its ideal and close.
Trots is not like the Good old days when 50000+ used to go when there was no Internet Betting, No Sky at Home. No T.abs open late at night. No Friday night Football.
Now Most people stay at home to Punt as they have the Luxury of Betfair and all other Corps. Even if they want to bet with a Bookmaker they can just Call up and get on.
Its Free to get in. Big Bonus. Hate paying to get in. Its a Bet or Feed for the night. But then they Mess it up when it is a Good Race and Charge. Keep it free all the time people will return or more will go to the Big Races.

1st point those 3k races they race on the Thursdays its Much better to have them at Melton than Far away. Makes it easier and quicker for Trainers to get there and less Cost for Owners.
Who Cares if nobody goes. If you have an average horse there good little races to enter.

Friday night races gets an Ok crowd, doesn’t matter what horses are running. Id prefer it to Be a Sat night as Its hard for People to Drive to Melton on a Friday after work with Traffic. Friday night Football is the Big winner. Impossible to compete against that. When Valley was still around Crowds where less than Melton and Food was Crap.
They always race the Big nights on Sat night so why not race all on the Sat night at Melton? You cant move in the joint when the big races are on. But still isn’t to bad to get a drink at the Bar.
Bar could be improved and prices are a bit expensive. No Discount if you are a Member.

At least now the Food has a Variety, I still think the food in the Restaurant could be much better, thats why nobody goes there during the week as they can go to Max Hotel and get a better Meal and they have those Shop a Dockets where you buy 1 Main meal and get 2nd for $5 and the Quality is 10x Better.
But People have their Meals at Melton on a Friday night and its hard to get a Booking. So 1 night it does ok.

The Track. At the start i was annoyed they didn’t build it Bigger. Now after watching Menangle. They got it right. I just wish they would remove Sprint lane. Thats my only Hate of the track. Otherwise one of the Best tracks in Aus.

Grandstand Poorly made. But they don’t need a Huge Grandstand. Most people stay in Sportsbar, if its to cold they will stay inside and watch or watch outside.

They have started to have Poker on for the younger generation. But its on After the Trots. If they were Smart they would give those people a Free Bet and Extra Chips for early arriving. Eg $5 Quickpick Pick 6 or a Win Bet for the Main race of the night. I think they have to pay $20 to play the Poker and they win money. But none not even watch the Trots. Get this group in earlier. I think about 60 people play. They have to Buy so many Drinks to get Extra Chips. Like i said have Extra Chips to arrive early and you get a Free Bet.

On Big nights they have a Punters Club and the Tab kick in 5k to start it Off. But hardly people know about it. Everytime they do it you double your money. I always buy $300 worth when its on.
Advertise it in the Papers also on arrival at the entry. Not just on a small board or every now and then loudspeaker that nobody listens to.

They have Rob Aubour that does a great Job MC. Have Melton Dedicated to Sky 3 or that World Sky what ever they call it, but no Charge. They have it on Internet but not many watch it.
I believe they should interview every driver before a race and see what tactics they are going to do. Rob is the Man to do this. Be so much better.

The Middle of the Track is a Disgrace and has never improved. Id love to see a Running track in the Middle. Have the Little Aths Competing from all over Victoria 1 time a month.
Crowd would be huge also get more people to watch the Trots.
So much could be done.
To be honest Id love to see an AFL team train out of there. Either Dogs or Kangas. Melton area has a Huge football Following but no Clubs for the Town to really get behind. They have the Land, space to build good facilities for a Major Club. Im sure they Could slot a Ground in the Middle. Make its a State of the Art Ground. Play the Local Games there on the Saturday then the Crowd from the Football stay on for the Trots.
So Much could be done in the Middle to attract other business.

But back to the Main Point.
Id give Melton a big tick and Menanagle a big X.
Just need to try different things before they do race for ribbons.
All Racing is for TV and Stay at home Punters Now.
Why Pay to get in, pay high prices for food and drinks.

Get Rid of Sprint lane.
Get rid of Duets.
Have 1 T.ab Aus wide not 3.

I could go on forever but they would have to pay me 100k a Month.

Lloydy
Report Live_in_Hope June 17, 2012 10:09 AM BST
bring BOORT into the tab circuit
Report The_KAMIKAZEE_DRINKING_MACHINE June 17, 2012 10:18 AM BST
Excellent post Lloydy!!



As for you LIH, you'd better report to my office after school.
Report Aussie Driver June 17, 2012 10:22 AM BST
But Most trainers its ideal and close.

As I referred to in an earlier post, you can say all you like, the best example of how to completely kill a racing a code in a state happened in SA because of the very reason that the quote above indicates.

Vic have refused to learn from the disaster that happened in SA, who moved to Globe way north of the city for one driving reason, the participants who controlled the decision making process were largely based there. Melton was all about the same thing at the end of the day. It is doomed to fail when you forget about the customer base (which are punters/patrons) and relent to what trainers want
Report Lloydy Trots Man June 17, 2012 10:37 AM BST
Aussie.

We Both know why SA lost all the Crowds.
They Banned the Pastie Man.
Report Lickmyballs June 17, 2012 10:39 AM BST
Get rid of Duets.

Why on Earth would you suggest this one mate?
Report Kye June 17, 2012 10:42 AM BST
Lloydy, if they merge the tabs then duets may actually work. I would take one if you could bet a decent amount
Report Aussie Driver June 17, 2012 10:44 AM BST
Good point re the Pastie Man

Why have the powers that be at HRV not contacted this man? People would pay the $80 taxi fare with a smile if there was a quality pastie at the end of it
Report Lloydy Trots Man June 17, 2012 10:50 AM BST
To Many Betting Options.
Duets have Poor Pools.
If was 1 Ta.b would work.
I even think Pick 4s they should only do 1 race a meeting.

Id love to see the Triple Treble like HK and have it like  Tatslotto. For those that dont know what it is, Its the Trifecta in correct order in 3 races.
Report earlycrow June 17, 2012 11:34 AM BST
Crims on day release steering horses running a funny way, should be a few more at least
Report The_KAMIKAZEE_DRINKING_MACHINE June 17, 2012 11:45 AM BST
There'll never be crowds at the trots again.Or the races. Those days are over.
Report gardenstar June 17, 2012 11:51 AM BST
Yes, but you should be getting a lot more than 10-100 people at meetings
Report The_KAMIKAZEE_DRINKING_MACHINE June 17, 2012 11:57 AM BST
Why should you? It's never gunna happen. It's a catch-22. No one goes cos there's no one there. There's no atmosphere,no bookies,no betting ring. If there's nothing there you may as well stay home or stay at the pub and watch it.
Report megsy June 17, 2012 12:08 PM BST
i agree with everything loydy said.

it took me 35 mins from the domain tunnel to arrive at melton, thats wasnt a long trip.

i think the track has been built for the future AND melton being the home of 75% of harness trainers in victoria makes sense i guess.

once they put in electrified train line it will work. as it is, it takes 28 mins by train to and from the city to melton station.

TABCORP PARK THURSDAY





Report megsy June 17, 2012 12:11 PM BST
ive been on a friday night, it has great atmosphere about 2-3,000 turn up, motels fully booked out, cant even get a bloody seat at the pokie machines Crazy

but during the week, as i said 2 people.
Report The_KAMIKAZEE_DRINKING_MACHINE June 17, 2012 12:13 PM BST
Consider most normal people are at work on a week day.
Report megsy June 17, 2012 12:17 PM BST
your got a point there
Report The_KAMIKAZEE_DRINKING_MACHINE June 17, 2012 12:20 PM BST
Is there 2-3000 people at Melton every Friday night? I'm gobsmacked!!
Report megsy June 17, 2012 12:29 PM BST
most friday meets a reasonable crowd, not a bad night out actually, good food  n drink and you forget the races are on Crazy
Report The_KAMIKAZEE_DRINKING_MACHINE June 17, 2012 12:40 PM BST
The trots used to be a night out for thousands of people.Blokes would take girlfreinds there. Or a group of guys would go as an entree before hitting the city. Families would go,it was only 25 minutes between races so the kids wouldn't get bored. Not to mention proper punters. For people in the industry Friday night at Harold Park was a social occasion. Everyone put on their best togs. Drinks in the bar. They felt important.

It's all gone. No one goes to Menangle as a prelude to hitting the clubs in the CBD. No one goes at all. The trots is no longer part of Sydney's entertainment landscape.
Report gardenstar June 17, 2012 1:10 PM BST
In Victoria we now have No independent Harness Journalists in the main dailys. Very sad but true. All media stories come from HRV employees meaning we only read "Good News" stories or stories that tow the party line. Participants in Victoria don't know what the current state of affairs with harness racing is such as the future with distributions from turnover, prize money increases etc. They keep all financial figures and especially the costs involved with the breaking of the Moonee Valley lease hidden. Ask anybody and they could not name two people on the HRV board or who is the current chairman ?. They seem to cop the appalling service Sky serve up without a whimper. A former harness journalist now the leading racing journalist in the paper today calls the sport nondescript and you can bet our CEO will be deafening with his silence in response to this. All participants would like to know is where the sport is really at. So if nobody is going to Melton, no matter how many take an interest from home, the 'at' doesn't look very good for the future.
Report The_KAMIKAZEE_DRINKING_MACHINE June 17, 2012 1:15 PM BST
The problems aren't unique to harness racing. No one goes to the gallops or dogs either!
Report Lets Elope June 17, 2012 1:17 PM BST
Yet Adam Hamilton was all of those things and you never stopped criticising him, Gardenstar, he was independent and would write the truth and worked tirelessly to promote the sport and argued for its best interest, maybe you actually appreciate now that he's gone how much he actually did.
Report gardenstar June 17, 2012 1:24 PM BST
Adam was not entirely independent in some of his articles but he is better than having nobody now. If the mainstream media now refuse to have one of their own cover the sport it will eventually spell the death knell for it
Report uncleee June 17, 2012 2:18 PM BST
all about the atmosphere - racing and facilities are an afterthought
Report Lets Elope June 17, 2012 3:03 PM BST
The herald sun don't give a stuff about harness racing Adam fought for evry column inch, newspapers in general don't give a stuff about racing if they weren't paid to publish form guides and racefields they wouldnt.
Report value bet June 17, 2012 7:33 PM BST
Melton on a warm friday night is a great meeting.

I never knew they have a $5k kick in on the punters club, that is huge and add 28.8 Harness Apps for winners this really is a serious option for punters.

I mention Punters club on my site and this will get punters back to the track if you can return a profit in punters clubs.

Punters clubs were huge years ago, but when celebrety guest kept back a horses because thats my dogs name or silly things like that, it took a
downturn because it kept losing.

Interesting, and may pop in again.

Get punters club winning, promote it and punters will go back to tracks.
Report Lloydy Trots Man June 18, 2012 12:43 AM BST
Valuebet.

Its only on the Big Race meetings they do it.
Me and my Mates always load up on it.
Everytime they have doubled their money.

Marketing in HRV needs a Huge lift they need to realise we are in 2012 and not 1990s
Report value bet June 18, 2012 4:56 AM BST
And what sort of persons place your hard earn on for you?
Report flick.pass June 18, 2012 5:28 AM BST
no wonder trots are going backwards.ouside 10 drivers the rest are ordinary
look at race 4 charlton the bloke on the leader didnt no how fast he was going SadSadSad
Report aachen June 18, 2012 5:38 AM BST
doesn't matter where you had built the damn thing !!

people just don't go to the trots anymore

its a betting sport and you can bet and watch from home/tab/pub
Report Castiron June 18, 2012 5:46 AM BST
Agree, Aachen.

I've been to a meeting twice in the last seven years. Both times, I had a runner interstate, once at Mildura and once at Moonee Valley.
Report aachen June 18, 2012 6:01 AM BST
last time i went to moonee valley was to see moaris idol get beaten

never been back since.

build the tracks where the trainers are and you keep

more people in the sport when transport cost/times are reduced
Report logroller June 18, 2012 6:31 AM BST
the most popular game in the country couldnt make it work when they built a stadium at waverly, how the f!ck the trots going to do it by building a track at melton ffs
Report value bet June 18, 2012 6:34 AM BST
My oncourse betting via the mountingyard with the trots is great.

Forget about 28.8 for a moment, but when you rate 3-4 fittest horses off the front line, believe me the back markers cannot make up
the ground, so those races are great....it makes sense.

Its like you have 10 lengths start in thoroughbreds to fitter horses, you cannot make up ground.

So either oncourse or down the tab, if you see enough of the front row go with it and for some reason never leave out No 4.

It seems the barrier the get the best runs in average and will fill your trifecta time and time again at any old odds.

When you have a $1.30 chance on the front row, and 2nd fav. No. 12... can he really catch the odds on pop?

As a spectical trots are way ahead of everything else, they just need to show more than the odds on fav in the warm ups, see who is
fitter and take your preferred bets.

It's all there for the trots, as others have said poor marketing and very poor broadcasting.

Try NZ trots for a better chance of winning at times because you can see more of the horses especially front row runners.

Cheers

Jim
Report THERE....IS....NO....SPOOOOON June 18, 2012 6:42 AM BST
"see more"???

Face the reality, Jim.

If you can't SEE them ALL you can't compare them.....your MIRACLE APP needs it's

own TV broadcast to function. Cry

Any luck with the TVN mounting yard vision sponsorship?

Cheers

There....Is....No....Spoon
Report ziggytpunter43 June 18, 2012 7:07 AM BST
logroller hits home run in this argument.read same for meadows.
Report THERE....IS....NO....SPOOOOON June 18, 2012 7:19 AM BST
Ziggy, I disagree with the Waverley scenario. It's not the boonies like it was even 10 years ago.

Population around and further out has exploded.

People would make the journey en masse, imo..... with one proviso.....

Like anywhere, poorer clubs/**** games would struggle for bums on seats..even more

Cheers
Report Dooksy June 18, 2012 7:21 AM BST
Critical difference between Waverley and Melton - A large percentage of Melbourne's population live in the east.
Report logroller June 18, 2012 7:46 AM BST
get a grip dooksy r u serious, have a think about the most succesful sports stadiums in every major city around the world.........and spoon it is still the boonies, ffs melton, altona if u lived there you would move
Report THERE....IS....NO....SPOOOOON June 18, 2012 7:52 AM BST
sorry, Loggy.....nope. imo Silly

I wasn't trying to bag the areas by calling them boonies

Aint no rural landscapes between CBD and Waverley

Melton?.......ummmm...would be a lovely scenic trip on the train......if they had one Laugh
Report megsy June 18, 2012 8:46 AM BST
28 mins by train ..city to melton

population has grown from 25,000 23 yrs ago to around 120,000 today. the beauty of the place 36ks from town is fresh air. you cant get that 36ks out in the south or east.

in 20 years the erea is going to be the hub, my prediction
Report value bet June 18, 2012 9:05 AM BST
Thats why oncourse punters will increase to get an edge and broadcasting will improve.

After a few years practice with the Apps, you will rate any horse or dog in under 3 seconds with out a App.
Report THERE....IS....NO....SPOOOOON June 18, 2012 9:09 AM BST
Thats why oncourse punters will increase

can't doubt you there, Jim.

Current number is apparently ZERO Laugh


After a few years practiceShocked

I think you're approach to Gen Y may need tweaking Cool

And the TVN sponsorship?
Report ghoststory. June 18, 2012 9:17 AM BST
Agree with what LTM had to say......
My problem with the track is why on earth didn't they build the parade ring
in front of the grand stand or sports bar area rather than having it shoved
out the side as an after thought?
Report Proud To Punt June 18, 2012 9:32 AM BST
Doesn't matter if its Melton or Bourke Street. Harness racing is a sport of yesteryear !
Report tyre kicker June 18, 2012 9:38 AM BST
When you leave a facility like Moonee Valley and go to the facility at Melton which is nothing like what Melbourne harness patrons had enjoyed for the previous 30years people are going to vote with their feet..its a no brainer. We've gone from a five star restaurant to Coles cafeteria.
Report Craig The Speculator June 18, 2012 11:36 AM BST
interesting thread

the only track in sydney worth going to imo was Penrith.

They had the ring outside with a couple of bookies and people would come up from the stables and it would be a focal point with the regular crowd which was there.

then they moved the two bookies upstairs to some drab room to make everyone warmer i guess - just killed the atmosphere

went last thursday just terrible - no one there at all and that focal point gone and the bookies who were there even a year ago gone
Report value bet June 18, 2012 12:24 PM BST
I have a betting lesson link where soon I will guide punters through everything I know of how why and when fitness
clicks in and clicks out.

It will be great and I hope to help you understand the science of fitness that you will never forget.

My stuff is not in text books and a link for World wide Racing Academies to visit and I can fast track by up to 30 years
students in the understanding of fitness.
Report logroller June 18, 2012 12:43 PM BST
are we talkin horses or me, .........if its me im interested
Report Dooksy June 18, 2012 3:12 PM BST
Logroller, my point was, if the AFL can't get Waverley to work (in the heart of the majority of the cities population. How the f*ck do HRV think Melton will work?
Report Lloydy Trots Man June 19, 2012 12:47 AM BST
Ill stick up again for Melton.

Meltons Facilities smash the Valley.
Crowds double than what was going to the Valley.
Cost to run at the Valley was insane.
Valley will be full of houses in 20 years Time.
Wont be a Racetrack there.

We are in 2012. The Game has changed.
Its a TV, Home, Internet Betting or Pub Betting now.
Dogs, Gallops and Trots. Nobody goes anymore.
Pools are good.
Id be happy they ran there every day instead of all the country tracks.
If they where smart they would have a Room on a Saturday to Cater for Vip Punters with all Corps working out of there for Gallop Punters. Live Oncourse Odds.
Throw in a Restricted meeting for the Trots. $500 races, Oncourse betting only. Good old Bacchus Marsh days.

There is so much more that could be done.
Report tyre kicker June 19, 2012 1:14 AM BST
Lets face it. If HRV had of owned MV or the rent was minimal there would not be a Melton. Melton is only here in an endeavor to reduce costs. The best? of a bad situation. MV attendances dropped away badly in the early 00's( as did crowds at the other two codes)partly because HRV fiddled with race nights from Thursday to Saturday something funnily enough they are trying to avoid doing at Melton. 18500 at last MV meeting is a figure sadly never achievable again .This is a downside of going down the Melton path.
Report uncleee June 19, 2012 2:22 AM BST
why does it matter where the population is in 20 years? should be looking at next 5 years tops
Report gatespeed June 19, 2012 4:38 AM BST
exactly right ghoststory

where they have put the parade ring and where they have put the administration offices speak volumes of where their interests lie
Report aachen June 19, 2012 8:09 AM BST
if you accept that not many people will ever go

then you have to build a track for the horses and trainers

look at all the money being spent on the members and public

that rarely go to the thouroughbreds in sydney.

i ask why???
Report tyre kicker June 19, 2012 8:34 AM BST
If you want to run a successful butcher shop or bakery etc you position yourself where you can get the best public exposure, not out in the paddocks with the cattle or wheat. Unfortunately moving to Melton may appease the horse people but it kills off any chance of increasing public interest by attendance,and if no new people are introduced interest in the sport will continue to wane
Report Kye June 19, 2012 9:00 AM BST
The best place for a butcher or bakery would be in the Bourke st mall but you don't see many there. You position your business where you can make a profit. Trots may be better off in the boondocks where the overheads are low.
Report tyre kicker June 19, 2012 9:08 AM BST
Thats because Coles & Woolworths are like the thoroughbred industry they want everything for themselves
Report Solvalla June 22, 2012 12:49 AM BST
The trots are stuffed. Never been to Melton but know quite a few who have gone and said it is a good facility, but no one goes. Menangle is woeful as a venue. No one goes unless a big race day or night. As for my local Albion Park. It is a farce. You could detonate a bomb at the base of the grandstand as they are scoring up for a $100k race and you would be lucky to kill anyone.

As others have said in this forum it is not about being at the track anymore. It is a TV lottery for mugs to play outside the smart players here. When you add the recent NSW scandal to the mix even the lottery players don't want to play anymore.

The relevance of harness racing in the Australian sporting landscape is where it deserves to be - near zero. Thanks to the quality people that have run the sport into the ground (and that goes for board people, the shonks and there are heaps of them, and others who only see harness racing as a means to make a quick buck at the expense of the sport).

In 10 years we will be talking about the halcyon days of getting 500 to a Friday night meeting at Melton or 150 to a Sat night meeting at AP.
Report Kye June 22, 2012 4:59 AM BST
Solvalla, your comment re Albion Park just shows that attendance at trots are going to be low no matter where you put the track. There is no reason to go to track these days no matter the code
Report Solvalla June 22, 2012 6:08 AM BST
True for greyhounds and the cheats on seats. Not the gallops in general. Gallops still resonate with the public and while they get a lot of young people to go, most are there for the day out. no one goes to the dogs or trots for the night out or day out like they used to. Albion Park is a graveyard. Yes very close to central Brisbane. Harold Park I hear no one would go in the last 10 years of its existence except for Mir Mile and those special nights they promoted. Forget what they called them. There was some call to build a track in SA which would have been solely for TV product. They have got that now anyway. But trots are suffering even more because of the desire for the quick fire lottery. Like the dishlickers. Thats why they want these shorter and shorter races in harness. Takes too long.
Report ODDSTONOTHING June 22, 2012 2:53 PM BST
A conversation with a harness follower at bbq...

- Didn't Smokin Up win the Interdomion last year........nah he got disqualified.
- See the big name over in NZ got rubbed out.........not really, just gave the keys to family member.
- Gee that bloke up north drives a heap of winners.......not any more appealing though.

oh, think we better talk about something else!
Report Solvalla June 25, 2012 4:30 AM BST
From article on Peter Vlandys. Spent the majority of his time there, but article summed it up perfectly.

He sold the restaurant after about two years, making “a reasonably good profit” and was (probably) only 26 when he became the general manager at Harold Park Paceway, a rising star in the declining firmament of harness racing. After 17 years fighting for a sport that struggled to hold the public's attention in the age of video games, he switched codes to become chief executive of Racing NSW in February 2004.
Report uncleee June 25, 2012 4:50 AM BST
'out of touch'
Report Solvalla June 25, 2012 7:53 AM BST
VLandys was a great loss to harness racing.
Report Lloydy Trots Man June 25, 2012 12:58 PM BST
Go to Ballarat tomorrow.
Bet you wont get a seat for a Meal.
Only Club that has gone forward.

Also hopefully i collect the Trophy.
Get ready for speech attempt number 3
Report trotman June 26, 2012 1:04 AM BST
Solvalla,

"Thanks to the quality people that have run the sport into the ground (and that goes for board people, the shonks and there are heaps of them, and others who only see harness racing as a means to make a quick buck at the expense of the sport)."

I think this is a fair summing up - particularly the last piece.

No idea why you would insist on excluding PNV from the contributors list though - he didn't find the solution either - and hasn't in his current employ, IMHO.
Report Proud To Punt June 26, 2012 6:38 AM BST
you are spot on with the "expense of the sport" piece Trotman.
Report Lloydy Trots Man June 26, 2012 1:27 PM BST
Not to b tonight.

But Great Crowd on a Tuesday freezing Cold night.
Punters Club in full swing.
Well done to Ziggy and Elsu just keep racking up winners.
My Bloke just not the same, but will improve on fitness will run every week. Pinch some races then Breeders Crown.

Lloydy
Report ziggytpunter43 June 26, 2012 1:32 PM BST
thnks lloydy,i nearly attended myself but got up with warragul at the eleventh hour,woulda been nice to catch up and to lead in  a winner,sure to cya soon.
Report ziggytpunter43 June 26, 2012 1:33 PM BST
got *caught* up with warragul at the eleventh hour
Report trotman July 3, 2012 6:47 AM BST
Lloydy - they've advertised your job again ...

Position Vacant: Racenight Sales & Membership Manager
03 July 2012
Based at Tabcorp Park, Melton, this role provides an exciting opportunity for a highly motivated, energetic individual with excellent sales, communication and relationship building skills to become involved in harness racing by driving race night dining bookings and growing the VHRSC membership base at Tabcorp Park, the home of harness racing in Victoria.   

Reporting to the Manager – Marketing & Events, with a matrix to the VHRSC Committee your responsibilities will be to:

-       Sell, promote and grow race night dining packages at Tabcorp Park, Melton

-       Attract and service group and corporate functions at Tabcorp Park Friday night race meetings.

-       Promote, sell and grow VHRSC memberships

-       Maintain existing relationships and customer satisfaction

-       Ensure that benefits for VHRSC Members are maximised

What you will need to possess to be considered for this role?

-       A strong and successful background in sales, particularly experience initiating and developing membership sales drives

-       An understanding of the racing industry coupled with a passion to ‘become involved’

-       Outstanding people and relationship building skills.

-       Drive, energy and commitment.

-       Tertiary qualifications in a business related field would be highly regarded

-       Excellent customer service and continuous improvement ethos

-       First class communication, negotiation and presentation skills

-       Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to interact with people at all levels

Given the nature of this role, you will be expected to work outside of normal working hours to accommodate member and customer expectations, including regular attendance at Tabcorp Park for Friday night race meetings.

This is a fabulous opportunity for a highly driven and inspiring professional who thrives on achieving personal and organisational goals and is looking for their next move.

Applications close 20 July 2012.
Report Lloydy Trots Man July 3, 2012 1:39 PM BST
Tough Gig as they want MONEY people not the average Joes that go and spend money there week in week out. What incentive do they have to become a member? Not even Cheap drinks.
Plus they would sack me as id have Hot Models going around every week giving out a couple of Betting Vouchers and Drink Vouchers every now and then. Then id get called Sexist so id have to hire a Couple of Muscle Men, but make sure they are Gay so the Bloke s dont start fighting when they thing the Topples Muscle Men are Hitting on their Misses.

Food they serve is not up to the Standard that will attract Big money spending people.
Be a Tough Gig and poor money and about 60-80 hours a week.
Im on 9-5 65k a year and can make Bonus 25k a qtr pretty easy as well. Im very happy not in Hospitality now. So no need to go backwards and work my assssss off and no rewards.

OR
Give me a 1 month Contract, just before Summer and Spring Carnival Gig and pay me 20k, a list of all the Punters in Australia i have on my Phone is worth that much and im talking guys that have never been to the Trots before but will have 100k on 1 single card flip. Have a Restaurant that Sells A grade Food and Wine. Id fill the Joint every Sat night with the Average Joes to the High Rolling Harrys. The Average Joes are the ones id be marketing they spend money week in week out. Others want it free or 1 staff to look after them.
Report tyre kicker July 3, 2012 3:06 PM BST
Be easier selling holidays to Afghanistan
Report trotman July 4, 2012 1:56 AM BST
Lloydy,

Your seasonal suggestion is not so wild in this day and age - more the way of the world actually.

They could do so much worse then hire you for a month - call it your annual holidays from regular employ ?

It's easy from the sidelines :-)

Cheers.
Report elsu. July 4, 2012 6:24 AM BST
have to agree TROTMAN 
LLYODY  has worked for the best in the HOSPITALITY.. the late KERRY PACKER
loved him... llyody  when he was in charge in the mahoganys /rooms
he was in charge of looking after the brokes to billionares..
hes done it all met  doctors/lawyers/ horse trainers /footballers/ cricketers /soccer/tennis/gangsters/ movie stars/ etc  and they all know him on first name basis
Report Solvalla July 4, 2012 12:05 PM BST
Leave it in the too hard basket.

Doesn't matter what anyone does you won't get people to the trots anymore except on the big days. Even those are dwindling. The big meetings of today were an average night 20 years ago.

I can see the day quite soon when there will be a track or tracks that are built solely for TV. By default that is most harness tracks now but the TV lottery rolls on.
Report tyre kicker July 4, 2012 12:42 PM BST
Oney's like R7 Bendigo are the reason nobody goes
Report tyre kicker July 4, 2012 12:48 PM BST
As reported by Solvalla and Trotman earlier..those that use Harness Racing to make a quick buck at the expense of the sport... have forced nearly all that loved it to move on.
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