Just seen the request from PPA for comments on various issues..... can't be a bad thing.
But I'm pretty sure the recent announcement re new race types stated categorically that these were what we were getting? Now line is that they are suggestions. Maybe we can now keep some conditions races? If in the unlikely event that anyone bought a never better than 109 rated horse at Doncaster last week then they might find that the goal posts have shifted.
Hmmmn perhaps a bit more management and a little less rushing to get stuff out Twitter & Tick Tock.
Think it is time that the CEO stands up and gives some clarification of where we are actually at rather than just throwing mud at the social media wall😜
where can you fill in your opinion about the PPA new proposals?
3 races(1 flat) , a hunt scurry - 1 pony race & a fancy dress/mascot race.. fits the bill nicely
(sorry and a dog show) with clowns as a side dish ?? etc
At the risk of repeating myself a limit of 5 races per meeting after March 1 and 6 before that (plus divisions) would be a help, albeit a small one. Point bumpers to be included in the count.
The statement they have made says pointing numbers are down, national hunt numbers are down breeding numbers are down so there's not excess horses to attract.
The only way to increase the horse numbers is to increase breeding which in the case of national hunt and pointing is going to take 5yrs for a difference to be beneficial.
There lies the answer.
What needs addressing is trying to keep what we currently have and stop the decline with a view to the future that numbers return eventually
They supposedly make changes as previously advertised which has obviously rocked the boat and they are now back tracking to keep everyone happy! As a leader if you feel the changes are made for the better then you need to stick by your decisions and be confident with them and take any opinions on the chin. Perhaps before making changes they should of asked for some ideas / input not the other way around. Totally unprofessional and embarrassing for the sport imo.
I think they are doing a great job with the Social Media which seems to be targeting racegoers to enjoy P2P’s but what’s the marketing strategy to try and attract new owners / more horses ? Without this being addressed then you are looking at a rapid decline and little chance of recovery.
If you reduce the fixture list anymore it isn't viable. As due to weather interruptions it can be reduced anyway and no owners want to consistently travel 150 miles or more to see their horse run.
The focus has to be in generating more owners then obviously you will get more horses.
The only way to increase the owners is to give a better return for success which is better prizemoney and to make them feel looked after at the races in way of hospitality.
As for letting licence trainers in that will be the end of pointing for me.
Unless you are going to allow pointing keepers to run horses under rules. You can't have a one way system there's enough cheats out there already.
Why do we have the longest season ever when we have the fewest horses ever !
What does that tell you about the people in charge !
Any other issues shrink into insignificance compared to too few horses and too much racing, particularly from March onwards. If this can be addressed , then the PPA will be at the very least giving us a few more years.
Charlie Poste on the podcast suggested that after feedback they were taking their time about announcing any changes. Like you say though in the rush to get something out it might now mean that those things change.