curious

I disagree. If they have already acquired a stable-hand licence, or at least hold a probationary one, and are working in a stable, then as far as I'm concerned they are already in the industry. I doubt the majority of owners and punters have done that. What I am asking is what you think might have inspired those young people to do that?

Thoroughbred clubs are bulk funded too.

If they are getting stable experience, they are already in the game. I'm asking what experiences you think they had that encouraged them to do that?

Not sure how that would help the programming deficiencies?

What young people's experiences do you think are stronger influences to get them in the game then?

It's 10% of their gross revenue from the meeting ... and would often make the difference between profit and loss for the year.

I thought the gate was $15? Haven't seen or heard what the did oncourse (Reefton might know, also maybe the gate), but say it was 250-300k I'm pretty sure they'd be worried about that at 10-12.5%

I don't know how harness meeting funding works. Is it the same?

Sorry again. The above is out of date. It's 10% oncourse through tellers. !2.5% through digital devices. 17. On-course commission, including TAB NZ digital turnover and minimums A commission of 10% will be paid on total On-course turnover (all totalisator racing and FOB racing turnover) generated through on-course terminals at all meetings. A commission of 12.5% will be paid on all racing turnover placed with TAB NZ on digital devices that are located on-course during a raceday.

Yes. I think it has for some time. And sorry, it's 9.5% and is done by geolocation, not necessarily the app. Draft Funding Policy for the 2022/2023 Season 25 17. On-course commission, including TAB NZ digital turnover and minimums A commission of 9.5% will be paid on total on-course turnover (all totalisator racing and FOB racing turnover) generated at all meetings. In addition, this commission payment will include all racing turnover placed with TAB NZ on digital devices that are located on-course during a raceday. TAB NZ are able to geolocate the majority of this turnover and will provide a report to NZTR detailing the relevant turnover on which commission will be paid.

I agree that is the case with respect NZTAB's operation and the NZTR funding from it. However, for clubs it's very important, especially a club like Kumara. The gate and their 8% of oncourse turnover keep them afloat.

I think all tracks favour horses on the pace regardless of the length of straight, which is why the likes of Gai prefer horses placed there. Back runners have to either find a path through the field or cover extra ground to improve. The latter especially true on tracks with short straights. However, watching a Kiwi Melbourne Cup say, gives me just as big a thrill as the likes of CWJ's win on Domino.

Why do you hate short straights?

Don't see any leader bias myself. Tempo and ability are the key factors, same as most tracks. You should go next year then come back and share your opinion.

Did you not watch the Nuggets?

Was that 2001? Only time I ever took a horse there. There were two helicopters but it was a hopeless task. I think they'd spread coal dust on the track. A bit of rain on that and it was a skating rink.

That's the tradeoff in any business isn't it? Lower prices and tighter margins increase sales whereas higher margins and prices reduce sales. You have to find the sweetspot that maximises revenue.

Yep. That was a few years back but is obviously a key metric. There's a risk they could have a negative FOB margin.

Last time I did an OIA on FOB margins, they had ranged from 2+% of turnover annually to 12% over a 4 year period. If you double turnover and halve margins you are no better off. Probably worse because of the costs of doing the extra turnover. Loaf of bread with a $2 margin is no better than two loaves with a $1 margin

Probably not but it will increase turnover by the amount of the bonus bet and not increase revenue. Of course. But it's revenue that remains the key measure.

Yep. A bonus bet is customer money that contributes to turnover though the money is effectively a rebate on a previous bet, so while increasing turnover, directly, it reduces revenue.

Same turnover, higher margins, more revenue.

No it's not. Revenue is. Both current and future. That requires participants interested enough to lose or spend money in return for the enjoyment.

Same here in my view.

I can say that I chose not to go to Riccarton recently to even watch my own horse race at a major meeting. Preferred to stay home and watch, like you say have a beer and a ciggy, but most important watch with who I wanted to and actually have better vision of the race live.