Unfortunately Brodie this is not confined to NZ racing or even racing in general. Have been to many venues overseas esp in Aus as you know and on some nights there would be luckly to be 50 people there with only one or two tote operators open, one bar and buggar all food. You cannot blame the AS barn for this. People would rathr watch at home or in their local, including myself. There is so much coverage now worldwide that it is a lot more comfortable to have a beer and food where ever you are watching have a chat and do other things between races if you wish. How they entice people back oncourse is another matter. As CP has said they dont need people on course for funding anymore as its done by bulk funding so may be they dont care as long as the overall turnover is ok.
A top line, unbeaten, charismatic horse will bring people on course to see it eg Winx, Black C, Smoken Up, Blakes AF and even the like of Lord Mudule, Lordship, Noodlum, Clurage UF etc etc. Unfortunately we dont have any of those around at the mo or for a long while. Maye UM Collect was going to be one. Anything that shows potential seems to be off overseas where they often fulfill that.
The same with rugby and alot of sports. They are all worried about crowd attendance except for the major events. We are a lazy bunch of couch potatoes these days. Maybe Sky, Trackside etc has more to blame than the AS barn winning races.