South African horseracing’s poorly serviced and spluttering raceday communications machine got 2016 off to an embrarassing start with punters being caught off-sides with a Fairview first race (and Bipot first leg) objection that very few knew anything about.
Immediately after the race, Alistair Cohen, based in the Rivonia studio, mentioned a race review.
Until a new result went final on the Saftote website about fifteen minutes later, we heard nothing at all.
Cohen, a service orientated and professional young man, was apologetic – and all he could say was that they had heard nothing further.
Fairview is not alone and earlier this week we heard the no nonsense Shaheen Shaw imploring the structures to properly communicate race reviews, and objections – with particular focus on the grounds for the objection.
“It is important information for punters,” he said.
And if Phumelela management haven’t worked that out yet, when will they actually wake up and smell the roses?
And in Fairview today, there was no damage control, no apology – sweet nothing.
The joke is that when Tellytrack crossed to Rod McCurdy (doesn’t he work for Tellytrack?) for the preview of the second race, the former Aussie fast bowler had nothing to say on the subject, with Nadine Rapson giggling in the background as they crossed over.
So where was the production management in Rivonia and Fairview? And did the on-course pair know about the material change in the first leg of the Bipot – or did they just not care?
With Tellytrack now offering a membership package of R70 per month, one would have hoped that they would be upping their game on some front.
Rob Scott is their CEO. Fairview is a Phumelela track. Phumelela put on the show. The NHA police the show.
How complex can it be to have laid down procedures in place?
Why is it so difficult to ensure that the Stipes communicate information to the Racecourse Duty Manager who then ensures that Tellytrack are informed – and customers are kept abreast of developments?
We intend asking the structures to comment.
If they can’t get this right after 20 plus years, how on earth do they manage more onerous tasks.
Let’s see who blames who for this one.
