There are times when some of our harnessbred.com fans really struggle to understand the fairness, balance, and future direction of the sport of harness racing.
I couldn’t count the number of occasions I’ve received messages asking what we all should do and is there a better way forward than this current path.
The challenge is, it’s immensely difficult to drive change at any level these days. Issues bounce around the Harness Racing head offices in each state, then on to HRA, with not a lot seeming to get done.
However it can happen! I’ve seen a couple of really positive appointments this last 12 months and some letting go of people that stayed on the industries payroll well over their ‘use by date’.
Harnessbred.com is still a truly independent voice within the AUS/NZ harness racing industry. We allow people to have their views published online (whether these align with ours or not). I do think a strong following like this in place with harnessbred.com can (over time) drive change to achieve a better outcome for this great sport of ours.
l have listed below the 10 hottest topics, issues or questions that got consistently raised in 2016. I personally may not share the view that all these topics need a massive overhaul right now. l do believe, (if I’m true to myself and more importantly my harnessbred.com followers) that each one needs to be put on the table.
If you have any strong views and more importantly solutions to the questions below, and they have hit a cord with you, please write to us and we are happy to publish your views specific to each topic
Rules are simple
- No Personal attacks or slanderous comments aimed at individuals
- All articles to be written in good faith to make the sport better
- Use text or language that is suitable for all ages
- You must put your name to the article or share why it’s to be withheld (safety concerns)
- Each article to include this statement
“the opinions in these articles may not necessarily be that of harnessbred.com
- Having the Breeders Crown held at Melton at the end August is hurting the sport. Is it time to restructure the calendar so this very important event can be held late October or early November? Clearly new definitions need to be put in place so the “just turned” 3yo’s will not be disadvantaged.
- Having the INTER DOMINION FINAL in December with the Christmas and the New Year break just around the corner must be restricting people’s ability to travel and support the event. Would a November or March time frame be better? Is a rotational system and one funded by the industry a better option?
- Is it time to cap the amount of services a stallion can serve in a given year?
- How is it that the use of frozen semen from a stallion (that could have passed over 10 years ago) is acceptable? Yet we are not allowed to freeze, keep or use embryos that have been flushed out of our better mares that are longer with us?
- How do we stop the millions of dollars of industry money leaving our shores each year, given there is virtually zero dollars being reinvested back into racing in this country.
- Many of states are seen to have real issues with treating all participants equally and fairly in the area of integrity. The overwhelming view of my followers is that Qld & NSW & VIC & WA just to name 4, all have a long history of looking after certain individuals who are well connected and have a been gifted benefits that others are not entitled to. Is it time all states sign up for a system requiring all drug testing, race fixing inquiries, team driving and barrier draws be run by an independent organisation that is not connected to Harness Racing.
- Should we have a more even distribution of prize money, i.e. less for the major races and much bigger stakes increasing for the regional areas?
- While “breeding schemes” and “bonuses back to the breeder” are very welcome, and in part have merit, it’s not fixing the major issues of foal numbers. More importantly, it’s not bringing any new owners and participants into our sport. Would it be more productive to start engaging and embracing new owners and participants back to our sport, ensuring the breeders are more highly rewarded at the sales.
- Are we losing too many smaller breeders previously able to afford to breed 2 or 3 mares each year that now can’t keep up with the cost of the Vet, agistment, futurity bills and registration fees? Could each state set up its own stud (in partnerships) for non-property owners at rates that would keep people interested in breeding?
- Should the race “day/night” experience be reworked? Having races 30 minutes apart with no other onsite entertainment may lead to the death of the sport. Could we look at and learn from the way T20 cricket has taken over and become such a smash hit? Is it because they have constantly got something going on? As successful as it is, T20 cricket may also struggle to draw a crowd at places like Menangle and Melton.
If you feel that now is the time for you to put pen to paper about any of the topics above, and your article follows the above guidelines, please email it to dean@harnessbred.com
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
Driving The Future Of Harness Racing
