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Racing's new frontier by Matthew Harrington, Radio Sport 927 May 31, 2002 Sport is always evolving. An obscene amount of time and money is spent in pursuit of a new edge, the ability to improve performances by just one-hundredth of a second. Many sports have not only changed equipment, but also changed the arena for a better spectacle and improved performances. America has taken outdoor sports - such as football and baseball - indoors in huge multi-billion dollar stadiums, swimming is no longer exposed to the elements and we now have Colonial Stadium, which has housed football, cricket, soccer and both codes of rugby. Playing indoors gives players perfect conditions to produce the best spectacle possible. Fans also benefit from the ever-changing weather taken out of the equation. Weather conditions probably have the biggest influence on sporting events, so imagine the advantages if this variable could be eradicated. As winter approaches horse racing is becoming affected by the weather. Tracks are becoming affected more regularly, effecting horse's chances quite considerably. It rained so much earlier last week, that Yarra Glen's two-day carnival transferred elsewhere because of the unsafe state of the track. How long is it until we have an indoor horseracing track? Before you dismiss the idea, who would have thought 25 years ago we would be playing AFL under a roof. It's almost inevitable that eventually, someone somewhere will have courage, and finances, to build an indoor racetrack. Ideally it would be a 1600m, or 2000m track. How would the turf grow? What about a retractable roof, Colonial style? Or maybe it could be simply a dirt track. It's debateable. What about the fans, and fitting grandstands under the roof? This is a sticking point. Maybe superboxes could be built into the outside of the stadium's shell, or who says we have to be on the outside, why not be inside of the course looking out? But the question has to be asked do we actually need on-course spectators? With the Asian racing market exploding, an Australia company could introduce the new style of racing. There would be no time constraints, so why not schedule the racing so the Asian market can be tapped. With the amount of off-course turnover these days you wouldn't need fans in the stands? Betting turnover would surely increase, with punters enjoying betting on races run on a true, genuine surface giving all horses an even chance. This new concept could provide elite racing every 20 minutes, with state-of-the-art TV coverage telecasting the future of racing into homes, pubs and clubs around the globe. The concept could be adapted to follow the lead of soccer in the UK with digital television. Home viewers can choose from a range camera options for their own telecast. Jockeys could be rigged for sound and vision, with a variety of cameras placed strategically around the track offering the home viewer whatever angle they want. Inter-active, Pay-TV racing could explode. How about including the Internet? A new chapter in racing history could be opened, taking the sport into the new millennium. It's a long shot, but it's an idea which could see Australian racing lead the world. Or maybe we can sit back, content with what we have. Then marvel, and no doubt copy, the Asians, Americans or Europeans who take the risk, and change the face of racing forever . Balls and All.....this month • The Greatest Show on Earth Matt Harrington, 23 May 2002 • Mind Games Matt Harrington, 23 May 2002 • Racing's New Frontier Matt Harrington, 23 May 2002 • Defining Moment Matt Harrington, 23 May 2002 • The Sleeping Giant Matt Harrington, 23 May 2002 • Unfulfilled Potential Matt Harrington, 21 May 2002 • Time To Act Matt Harrington, 16 May 2002 • Football, Witchcraft and Flying Saucers Matt Harrington, 9 May 2002 • Changing Dimensions Matt Harrington, 3 May 2002 | |||
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