The time has come for me to get out of racing

I have been in racing over 20years, from a teenager i have been in this game.From 16years old running from school to the tote.I loved racing.I have owned many horses and had my colours for over 15 years and this year i let them go.
Racing was never like this the way it is today and nowonder the 18-21 age group you never see.In my time that age group was big and those people grew into racing and and still around but in 15 years time who will be left.
My favorite racecourse
Milnerton--gone
Greyville--- wrecked since they made their change
gosforth park--gone
arlington-gone
I play everday, im addicted to it.I turnover alot of money.When i go into a tote to collect R2000 i get cheek from tellers asking me where they must get the money from..eventhough the ticket cost me 1k
If i play the open bet and win 10000 from a open bet exotic from the bookmaker then i get paid with a smile.
Things are getting worse and worse.Everyday try count the scratchings at the start...why
Today the vaal sand abandoned after race 3. no rain last 7 days.
Does management even care.Is everyone who works in those circles to scared to make changes or are they scared about being thrown off the gravy train.
Im now bored with racing, the long gaps, form turn arounds,
Clairwood has now gone.Who would have thought the old graveyard would be a main track.
Today after nearly 20years i have made the decision but to just play cape town racing.hometown.It wont be easy as in 20 years i have been daily racing and doing fairly well.But now i will turn to other interests as hard as it will be.

Cannot argue with your logic B but it is always sad when loyal supporters reach this point.

Many of us are disillusioned with the way that things are going and feel just like you do, yet we carry on as racing is a way of life mostly. It is our failure to act on our disappointment that creates the illusion that racing can carry on going without change, even though things are clearly wrong and in need of a turnaround.

The fighting between stakeholders will only increase further as the slices of the cake continues to disappear and makes turning a profit from racing harder and harder.

In this industry there will be many casualties in future and ultimately punters will have much fewer choices than they have now. Until we have an all out drive to build sustainable new capacity, which there is no evidence of at this stage, the condition is guaranteed to get worse.

Does anyone really care?

As long as short term turnover growth remains the only driver in decisions on racing the situation will never be resolved in a positive manner and those that remain in the game will feel even more hard done by in time to come.

Racing needs a new vision driven by people who are passionate about the game and determined to stop the rot.

It's going to happen guys, there is no fresh punters

50 years ago when my dad started punting

25 years ago when I started punting

Now ? Can you guys honestly say you can walk into a betting premises and see hoards of younger guys like you seen 25 years ago?

Next time you go in, check and see who's in the rooms and what they are punting,older guys my age horses ? Younger guys , soccer? Numbers?nothing?

Not always easy to tell how old they are Bob, normally hunched over a "fruit" machine.

Sad to read Batman, all the best with the CT racing. I hope your, oft very useful, posts will at least continue for those meetings.

Plenty others will not be far behind I fear, patience is wearing very very thin, possibly me included...

Engels I'll never chuck racing, gambling maybe , but never racing..

Those guys huddled around the machines quite happily spend £100's at a time, but struggle to part with a single £ on racing

Fact is the operator dont care about owners or punters but I will not advise anyone to invest in racing ,and all that tell me you must look at it as enjoyment please tell me if you lay out 100000 a month is it enjoyment only or a small business?

Owners and punters get raped in horseracing .

I'm a gambler Bob.

And yup, you not wrong.

This is exactly what I have been going on about for years!!!!!!
Should us people who have loved our racing for years be forced to give up the crap that is served up to us ,or should those who serve the crap ,be replaced...........I know what I prefer cos I would rather keep enjoying an acceptable product.
Todays incident should be that "rock bottom" spot ..............absolutely no excuse ........weather ,pipes or any other bullshit ...............just sheer incompetence managed by sheer incompetents!

100% Rob a absolute disgrace

You chaps have summed it up how true racing enthusiasts feel about the sport, the vaal just another sad day in sa racing unfortunately....

gregbucks wrote: You chaps have summed it up how true racing enthusiasts feel about the sport, the vaal just another sad day in sa racing unfortunately....

Greg it's everything

The whole industry is robbing Peter for Paul .

Trainers can't charge enough to make an honest living
Owners can't earn enough to pay extra to trainers
Punters are suffering because racing is not being regulated well enough
Operators are under pressure
Bookmakers are finding sports betting to be the future

There is no service anymore.The operators couldnt care a inch about service.Im not to interesed in casinos and go couple times a year, yet i have a mvg card and invites and offers and incentives.Racing i turnover atleast 10k per day.Big race days my turnovers can be huge..What do they care!! Anybody who knows me will realise for me to say no more would never be heard, as racing is my life.But i have just had enough.