Trackside must have all sorts of money to throw away

[curious]

Probably depends a bit on the arrangements between the parties. Remember though that the stake for 12th is 700k.

[Chief Stipe]

10 minutes ago, curious said:

Probably depends a bit on the arrangements between the parties. Remember though that the stake for 12th is 700k.

I meant as a "marketing initiative".  I can't see how it benefits directly TABNZ punting revenue.  They're already offering discounts on the I Wish I Wins price. 

[The Centaur]

On 8/07/2023 at 12:27 PM, curious said:

I don't think that's the point is it? This is surely about taking the Trackside brand to Australia and the world.

Are you serious??  Maybe you should join SENZ. They need jokesters.

Edited July 9, 2023 by The Centaur

[Special Agent]

4 hours ago, Chief Stipe said:

Isn't the biggest beneficiary of this "marketing initiative" Waikato Stud?  Wasn't Chittick one of the biggest critics recently of the TABNZ?

No point asking me as I don't understand any of it.  I also don't know why Waikato Stud wouldn't buy a slot for their own horse?

[Special Agent]

47 minutes ago, The Centaur said:

Are you serious??  Maybe you should join SENZ. They need jokesters.

They have Bernard Saundry.

[Freda]

I don't see the problem - unlike many here.    Perhaps I'm missing something obvious, but - for starters - Entain is funding the slot purchase, it isn't coming out of 'our' money.

If the involvement of a Kiwi runner creates even a frisson of interest in the wider public consciousness, then that has to be a big plus.  That's where Entain's marketing and P.R expertise has to come into play, as up to date NZTAB's efforts in that arena are average to be kind.

As for a 'Waikato Stud' horse, well, correct me if I'm wrong, but I Wish I Win would be the only horse with Kiwi connections remotely good enough.

[Chief Stipe]

2 hours ago, Freda said:

I don't see the problem - unlike many here.    Perhaps I'm missing something obvious, but - for starters - Entain is funding the slot purchase, it isn't coming out of 'our' money.

Which Entain?  Entain NZ Ltd?  So neither Trackside nor TABNZ are involved in the slot purchase?

[Chief Stipe]

2 hours ago, Freda said:

If the involvement of a Kiwi runner creates even a frisson of interest in the wider public consciousness, then that has to be a big plus.  That's where Entain's marketing and P.R expertise has to come into play, as up to date NZTAB's efforts in that arena are average to be kind.

I'd argue they haven't been average.  In general the campaigns have been slick and focussed.

The issue in terms of racing has always been and still is the quality of our product, the price of that product and available access to purchase it.

Buying a $1m+ slot in an OZ Sweepstake race doesn't alter any of those things.  Basically it is an expensive "look at me" exercise.

Of course the irony escapes many - essentially they are sponsoring an overseas race which from a NZ wagering perspective is an imported race with all its associated charges.  If we had geo blocking you wouldn't be able to go find the best odds but take what Entain decide to give you.  

The other irony is it seems NZ Racing marketing is even more dependent on the OZ market.  The Everest will be followed in quick order by the Melbourne Cup.  Here's hoping any interest generated flows into Cup week.  With the latter hopefully there are no abandonments assuming the Guineas haven't been moved North.