Gai Waterhouse is making pertinent comments about the state of on-course racing. In her website blog (www.gaiwaterhouse.com.au), the #1 Lady of Racing says: 'I was talking to a good friend of mine and he said there were only 8 bookmakers at Rosehill last Saturday. What a sad sight racetracks are these days. No one has money in their pockets, they only carry plastic cards. A lot of people who go racing are older and betting trends have changed. The internet has become so much more attractive.'Acc
Gai Waterhouse is making pertinent comments about the state of on-course racing. In her website blog (www.gaiwaterhouse.com.au), the #1 Lady of Racing says: 'I was talking to a good friend of mine and he said there were only 8 bookmakers at Rosehill last Saturday. What a sad sight racetracks are these days. No one has money in their pockets, they only carry plastic cards. A lot of people who go racing are older and betting trends have changed. The internet has become so much more attractive.'
According to Gai, the new AJC-STC merged board has a big job on its hands. She says: 'I think for the newly formed board, it is essential they canvas the membership. Without the members we won't get the people to the races, except on the big days. The VRC can proudly say they have 28,000 members. I'm not saying they attend the races all the time but they're all paying their membership fee every year. AJC and STC membership numbers have dropped dramatically where it was once so prestigious to be a member. Membership's were handed down on 21st birthdays from father to son, but now why would you be a member when your mate can buy you a ticket and you can go anyway. This is what the newly formed group which starts on the 1st January need to make their main goal, to drive membership. It is not much use having massive new stands when they have no-one to hold.'