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Some more great stuff here guys
doublethetrouble– you’ve thrown down the gauntlet on the racecards now, and I’ll see what I can do! We were unsure as to whether the market needed another racecard or not, but the fact that there is a consensus on this from you guys is interesting to know. There are political and logistical issues to overcome (data rights etc- the bane of my life) but I’ll do my best to bring you a simple, printable racecard.
Slowly Away– thanks for that…it could be that we could do both, listed alphabetically and also listed by race…that’s one for the developers but the request is noted.
happy– Don’t worry, I’m completely on the same page as you. The main focus of the site will probably be on newcomers to the sport, but we don’t want to neglect racing’s existing following too, and this is exactly why I have contacted TRF as I knew you would speak with the voice of the hardened racing fan. At the moment I am planning an "experts corner" which will contain all of these in depth tools requested on this thread in one easily accessible place, but that is very much kept separate from the content aimed at newcomers so as to not befuddle and intimidate them.
I am also consulting with non-racing audiences- we have workgroups this week with some top people who are not involved in racing to get that angle too so that we can, hopefully, cater for everyone. Guides to racing for the newcomer are going to be a massive feature of the new site though, absolutely.
Irish Stamp– thanks, this will depend on what route we decide to take over racecards, if we decide to feature detailed cards then this could be something that is included. As mentioned above though we will have to see what happens on that issue, but I will do my best!
Big thanks to everyone who has contributed so far- some really top stuff, thanks TRF!
Rob
Robert99– with regards to your further comments, we are aware from previous threads of punter’s desire and importance of getting correct ‘actual distances’ for each race, I will see what I can do.
The confirmation of going used to determine photostrip lengths is an interesting one, thanks for that. I would hope that this is something we can look at.
For AWT maintenance and turf watering reports this is another one that you will have to bear with me and I will have to investigate- as I write from my desk here I am unsure as to the protocol and procedures for this sort of reporting, but it has been added to the list thanks!
Many thanks indeed for your suggestions, really useful stuff.
doublethetrouble– very interesting comments, would there be a consensus among forum users that there is a need for a new racecard/form outlet online? If yes, what would you like to see done differently?
robert99– don’t worry, we are of course looking at our peer’s websites and learning from all the best bits!
Haha, I have just read back the post and, in fairness, I can see where Gerald is coming from, my comment did look a little dismissive in hindsight! I can assure you it wasn’t intentional though.
Many thanks indeed for your comments though Ken- very much appreciated. You are correct about the logistics being difficult, the industry is so convoluted and politics do play a part, but this website is a chance at a fresh start and I do want to do all I can to make sure we get it right and provide a good service.
Gerald– in regards to your comments, Gelding and wind operations are elements that I would hope we can include on the site. To be honest I don’t know enough about these areas myself at the moment as to the availability of the data, but I will certainly look into them. The same applies to the average winning distances- I will need to investigate these areas before I can say for certain whether we can or can’t include these elements, but I will certainly look into it.
As for Glenn‘s comments, I think, as he acknowledged himself he was very much reiterating many others comments…just to let you know I am already setting the wheels in motion as to how a live updates box would work in terms of all the various data it would need to incorporate, hopeful it is something we will be able to feature on the new site, but it is just very very early stages yet so don’t hold me to anything, I’ll do my best!!
Cheers
Rob
Cavelino– thanks for your comments, my thoughts on a few of them:
A live weather and going update from the clerk 30 mins before racing
Off the top of my head there is no reason why this isn’t feasible, have added it to the list, logistically should be pretty simple, great stuff!
A live precipitation and wind update from every racecourse every 10 mins during racing
Not so straightforward…this would mean installing advanced weather reading equipment at every racecourse. This could be a bit more of a long term goal if racing can find a suitable weather partner (which I am looking into as racing is a sport which is so closely related to the weather).
3 jockeys required to give a going opinion after the first race on the hurdles/chase/striaght/round courses
Love this idea, think this could be really useful and another one that could feasibly be executed. Top stuff.
Could the website provide a live, reliable, chronographical update of non runners as they come in. The BHA website does a decent job but non runners are listed in course and racecard order and its needs to be continually scanned through to check for updates.
I am going to look into the way non runners are presented for the new site, absolutely.
Great stuff again, many thanks!
Rob
Adrian– very much agree, I am hoping to get as much of this info as possible signed off to be in the public domain and not password protected on the new site as I can see that for the real afficionados this info could be very useful.
Aragorn– absolutely, we are already up on facebook (http://www.facebook.com/pages/British-H … 5128932431) and twitter (http://twitter.com/BritishRacing)
Ken– Absolutely superb idea about the webcam on the parade ring, absolutely brilliant, I love it. This is something that is slightly out of my powers to actually implement but I have already sent that on to racing for change in the context of being something we could include on a new website and will follow up. There may be rights/broadcasting issues to overcome (a real issue for racing at the moment) which are out of our power but I love the idea. Brilliant!
Ken/anthonycutt/Moehat– Great to see that we’re on the same page as you on this one in terms of steering away from the hardcore gambling aspects in some areas and more invoking the love of the horse and all the other elements that make racing such a wonderful day out. We do want to cater for the real racing fan, which is why I have come on here to get your views and requests, but have no fear the site is also going to cater very much for potential new audiences. I can’t give too much away now as the project is very much just getting started, but I am very happy we are singing off the same hymn sheet.
Gerald/Glenn– thanks for those suggestions also. Keep the suggestions coming this has been very useful and thanks everyone for all your input!
Drone– bagnallc has just suggested a similar thing for the official ratings changes, and I think it’s a great idea.
Consider it proposed!
Cheers
Rob
bagnallc– that’s an excellent suggestion for the handicappers actions, I’m sure that’s quite feasible that we could do that, brilliant stuff, cheers!
In terms of the photofinishes, we area already trying to get this set up. On http://www.britishhorseracing.com/gorac … ofinishes/ we are currently providing weekly photofinish images from courses covered by Arena. We are working on also getting Racetech courses up there.
Also for the Stewards Enquiries see http://www.britishhorseracing.com/resou … iries.asp- we are already putting these details up.
Thanks so much for the suggestions, very much appreciated and very useful!
Rob
davidjohnson– thanks for that, really good to know that there would be an interest in tools such as that.
Logistically it could be quite difficult as would require content to come from every meeting every day…but sure not one that can’t be overcome.
Great idea, noted.
happy– thanks so much for those comments, really useful. It’s great to know that we are on the same page as well because the idea about articles about horses/jocks/trainers and ‘getting to know them’ is something we are certainly looking into and will be featuring on the site.
As for the levy explanation- this is really interesting that you think that this is something folk would find useful. It is probably not the sort of content we would be featuring too heavily on the new site as it is quite heavy stuff, but perhaps we should be looking at including something about this on http://www.britishhorseracing.com
Many thanks again!
Cormack– good question, my apologies I should have clarified that.
It is going to be a marketing/information site, aimed at racing fans/punters as well as potential ‘new’ racing fans.
As such it will contain lots of promotional material showcasing what a great day out racing is etc for the newcomer, but at the same time we want to make the site essential for the current devoted racing fan, by giving them access to tools and information which could help their punting or enjoyment of the sport.
Bluechariot– thanks, noted. That’s exactly the sort of stuff I was looking for.
Cheers
Rob
"Sack Robin" is not a "comment on racing and/or racing issues", it is a personal insult.
No worries, it’s forgotten.
Hello all,
I am trying to take on board some of the points you have made and incorporate them into future initiatives. Please remember the caveats that I have put on this process throughout that it was the first time we have attempted this sort of thing, it is a trial run, we do not promise it will be perfect first time round.
Look, please understand that I am trying to work with you here. I have not come on here and set myself up for endless barracking for fun. And why would the BHA come on here and kick off this process just to then fob you off? There is an issue that the BHA has not in the past communicate with its consumers enough. We, and I, are genuinely trying to address that. I said from the start that this might not be perfect, but it is a step in the right direction.
Can I just remind you that the aim of this initiative was to "Ask the BHA". You ask us a question, we give you an answer. I understand the points that you have made about continuing the dialogue as regards to those answers and so on, I am in agreement with you and this needs to be addressed. As mentioned above and all the way through, this is a first attempt, I am trying my best.
One idea I have had as a result of this feedback is that obviously you do not just want to ask questions, you want to tell us all how to do our jobs
. As a result I came up with this- instead of "Ask the BHA" how about "Tell the BHA"? In light of the racing for change initiative and the forthcoming changes that will be made to racing now is the perfect time for us to implement changes in the sport (as Im sure you will understand, the industry is one that has been resistant to change in the past). So I propose this- everyone send in your suggestions for how you would change the sport. I then compile these into a paper and put them before the racing for change executives, and it will be an official paper of suggestions for the racing public on what they want to be done to racing. The executive can then act on that.
How does that sound? I know exactly what your responses will be: "whats the point of they will be ignored" etc etc, but look- we can but try.
If you are in any way positive on this idea I will go through the necessary processes and try to get this set up. If you think it is a waste of time I won’t bother and I’ll leave it at that.
Marble:
"Sack Robin"
I have taken all of the derision and opprobrium on this forum so far in good humour and with a thick skin, I’m sure that that is one thing that most people will agree on, at least.
But to say something like that, to a professional who is just doing his job to the best of his ability, who loves racing and is honestly trying his best to build bridges with people, is absolutely disgusting. I say this as an individual now and leave my BHA ties behind for this. How dare you say things like that? Who do you think you are? What do you know about the work I have done here? Absolutely nothing. As I’ve said all along everyone is entitled to their opinion, but that is absolutely atrocious behaviour, the knee jerk mindless reactionary comment of a child. Pathetic.
Hello TRF,
Just to let you know, the first batch of questions and answers is now up on the BHA site:
http://www.britishhorseracing.com/goracing/ask-the-bha/
As stated on the page, we are still working on a small selection of answers and these will be posted up upon completion. I hope you will understand that some of the questions have required intensive research, but as mentioned before we are committed to answering every question.
Many thanks to everyone who contributed to this project, it has been very useful for us and we have had so many great ideas to take on board as a result. Hopefully it has/will be useful for you too.
Robin.
Grasshopper,
I have to disagree- just because we have answered your question in the negative on this occasion does not mean that that is the case with every question or suggestion we have received.
We have already received a lot of constructive feedback and ideas which have been thoroughly taken on board.
Grasshopper / robert99
Many thanks for your comments.
I would just like to clarify Jon’s response above, as you both mention that we have avoided the question.
I can see how the confusion came about as we don’t
specifically
refer to it, but for Jon’s answer please read that no, we would not lobby RUK to have racing video on youtube.
RUK are a commercial enterprise and we have absolutely no power or jurisdiction over their use of racing footage.
It was intended that this was understood from Jon’s response, but my apologies if this was misunderstood and I hope this clarifies our answer to your specific questions- we certainly did not mean to dodge the question and as such I hope this clarifies our answer.
In addition, many thanks for the info about running rails in Victoria. This is very very interesting and I have forwarded this on to our racecourse department- thanks so much, we appreciate your feedback!
Regards
Robin
Dear Racing Forum,
Many thanks for your views on this initiative, I have been away for a few days so have only just had a chance to read these posts.
I just wanted to respond to one point in particular, from reet hard:
"It’s hardly ‘engaging’ to only answer emails privately, and only to publish answers after the closing date for further questions. Without open discussion it hardly constitutes a ‘forum’ either.
Maybe those that have had their queries answered could ‘engage’ by availling us of them on here, so they may be discussed on a proper forum?"This is a very valid point, and very useful feedback for us. I understand what you are saying here and am tempted to agree. Please note that this is the first time we have tried this initiative and as such it is very much a trial attempt. I think in future we will attempt to post up answers to questions as they are made, to allow further open discussion around the subject.
Many thanks!
Rob
