I read with great interest the in depth statement by 4racing CEO Fundi Sithebe in which she listed the vision – founding principles and operations to be launched by 4Racing.
It rather reminded me of the recent local government elections in which if all the promises made by politicians canvassing for votes were actually implemented then South African would be a paradise.
Stewart Ramsay suggests in the Sporting Post Mailbag that it would, however, be grossly unfair to pass judgement on 4Racing before they have had the opportunity to make their promises a reality.
However, there was a major element missing from the long list of actions they are planning to undertake.
It was simply this – how are 4Racing going to increase the number of people betting on horse racing and in turn increase tote turn overs?
Every principle and action stated in the CEO’s statement is aimed at people already involved in horse racing, in some form or other.
The plan for the future and survival of horse racing is a simple one – it must be structured so that expenditure equals income.
Income in turn comes from one source – tote betting.
Bad management aside, it is the drop in tote turnovers that have caused racing’s present problems.
So that situation needs to be reversed. Tote turnovers need to be increased and new people have to converted into racing punters.
Not an easy task.
You cannot bet on horse racing without knowing how to study form.
It makes horse racing the most complicated form of gambling available.
The only opportunity to win relatively big money is to win the Pick 6 and to do that you have to pick six winners.
Added to this, the unemployment rate in the country is at a record 34,9 % and the economy has been hammered by the Covid lock downs.
Owing to the above facts, 4Racing face a major challenge in attempting to increase the number of people who bet on horse racing and in turn increase racing’s life blood – tote turnovers.
But maybe they have a plan and strategy to address this situation – watch this space.
