Michael Varney - In no rush it seems

Louis I was referring to negative forums in the past we are not in the same league (gladly)
Plus as Bob said we don't write the script but do hope for all parties to get involved and I know it will never be easy but hell we have tried to change the image of forums.

In fact abacus send me a PM and join some of the Clan on summer cup day and get the " in a rush feeling"

Our sport is one of the greatest which is why it has been around for so long despite all the challenges that it has had to face along the way.

Problem is that it is the best kept secret in town when we should be giving it as much advertising as possible.

I have worked for months now on a new marketing concept for racing that I have no doubt will make the sport hugely popular among the uninitiated and provide a great source of migration into mainstream punting.

It tackles the problems highlighted above which is to teach people about racing with specific attention to promoting skills acquisition and demonstrating the value of skill.

I have written to Michael Varney as it could be very complementary to the "Racing, it's a Rush" campaign.

It's only been two days, which admittedly isn't a lot, but I get the feel that there is no urgency to the exercise as a return mail does not exactly take up more than a few minutes.

Racing can be marketed so effectively if you combine a social outreach program with an entertaining and rewarding social offering.

I will reserve ultimate judgement until such time as I get a response from him.

Happy to get try and get all parties together to share ideas with best way forward send me contact details via email
Thescotts1@telkomsa.net

Hi Dave

Much appreciated, thanks for the offer.

I do know a few people at Phumelela though and have sent Michael a message via linked-in, so lets see what will transpire.

Will keep the guys posted on developments.

Cheers

louisg wrote: Dave, rather be fair, please.
By quoting the 30 posts on page one, you are being misleading. Obviously there won't be negative comments on Anton ' injury and rain in Kimberley etc.
But, take the last 30 threads which offer opinions on Racing, like the Michael Carney thread and the bookies vs TT thread. Then look at the posts...... And count the negatives vs the positives.....
And then ABC does look negative and anti racing.
On those grounds, Abacus is correct.

Dont blame the forum
Louis you confuse some here.You have often posted comments and opened threads when you were gatvol of the system be it race programmes,merit ratings or the inefficient way racing is being conducted

Your comments and a few others are in order if that situation has changed
We have trainers owners jockeys and the odd representative on this forum but the majority are players and if racing here is run say like Hong Kong or Japan there simply wont be reason to be negative

Personally there is no difference in the troubles we find in our country and those that racing are experiencing
We would never be needing this its the rush at all if things were seen to from the start

Thank you too Colours. This is exactly what I am talking about. I mention the general facts and you now specifically aim your reply at myself personally. I never referred to any individual's posts. You can't argue those facts, so you focus on me And that's what happens here.
The fact remains that threads become personal. And that's why Racing bodies and Racing management will not partake here.
Because some poster is going to have a go, without the facts....
Anti establishment is the order of the day. The bookies are celebrated here, in their fight against TT and Racing turnover.

Not true Louis,see the comments made by Gazza in the Victory Moon
regarding bookies odds being so ridiculously short
Many others have too
Its the things that gets under our skin
Yes i agree that sometimes things do get personal but dont let that distract from the real issues
ps
Could they not have postponed the Vaal to today ?You race on the sand tomorrow and that track is so unpredictable especially after the rains

Bob - they can help a lot by just tweeting and using the handles.

Over the Air wrote:

Bob Brogan wrote: I was talking to a Phumelela employee the other day who's desperate to get involved in the campaign , but because of politics involving his immediate boss it's not possible.

He is young , enthusiastic and loves racing

So even with this United front there seems to be infighting

Careful there Bob, you are going to get Blondie hot under the collar with that post :lol:

There seems to be a second thread starting here lol so let me combine the two...

Those of you, imvho, who think ABC is heavily weighted with negative posts need to lift half an eye out of the sand. Yes, there are one or two who are continuously blatantly negative and contribute in such a manner simply for "attention". Fark em... and I think that is the attitude of most clanners towards them.

But, however often a clanner may appear to write negatively, does not necessarily make it a negative post. It is often written in a negative manner or with a negative tone through sheer frustration or similar... because it has been an issue for so long and nothing has seemingly been addressed or communicated. What the post is saying is... pretty please, do something!! It is in most industries considered to be positive or constructive feedback. I have long said that if the powers that be and those directly involved in racing were more active on ABC then there would be a lot less of the seemingly negative posts. There is no education on the issues raised, no explanations, no discussions, no portrayal of plans, no nothing in effect.

Let me just use one example and so as not to offend anyone, let me use me I harp on and on about websites and trainer info. Do I sound negative and that I am moaning, pretty sure I must do. Am I being negative... no!!! I am trying to get something to happen which I think is fundamental and essential. Do I get any feedback (LG aside ) - not a word. Does anything happen? Not really that I've seen. Is anyone listening or is anything happening... how would I know? So, people can look at these posts and say I am being negative and miss the whole point and what is the point... the betterment of SA horse racing.

And until that is understood etc, imvho again, "Rush" will fail before it has started. Make the current fan base happy and word of mouth will be one of the most powerful tools in bringing new people in. Happens in so many things around the world all the time. Why can't SA racing see it? Someone asks me currently, should I get involved in punting on SA racing I tell them to avoid it like the plague unless they know what they are doing. Will my attitude change... not until there is one hell of a lot more transparency and open discussion and communication covering all aspects of the industry.

So please, all you "negative knockers" stop knocking what you perceive to be negativity and start listening to the messages contained within. It truly is 99% of the time done in the hope of seeing improvement etc....

I have no idea what Mr Fortune said but I do know this, a jockey who comes on here and explains a ride is far more educational for the punters etc and earns a lot more respect than one who just calls me or others a prick. Take a bow Mr B Lerena. Now there's an example of someone listening to criticism and taking it forward as positive feedback and using it as such... and earning respect because of it. Any other takers, from anywhere in the industry...?

Don, you do an excellent job on these types of threads. You are patient and try to answer everything thrown at you. A credit to yourself and to what you hope to achieve. Well done and thanks bud.

Englander wrote: Don, you do an excellent job on these types of threads. You are patient and try to answer everything thrown at you. A credit to yourself and to what you hope to achieve. Well done and thanks bud.

Well Done, Englander !

This is what it all is about.

You have said it "tactfully", and summed it up very nicely.

BUT, What about the THUNDERING silence from Michael Varney, and/or anybody from that department (Excluding apparently DON).

Please don't pull a ZUMA on us !