Malaysian turf clubs must evolve to survive

Go-Ram
New Straits Times
01-25-2011
Malaysian turf clubs must evolve to survive
Byline: Go-Ram
Edition: Main/Lifestyle
Section: Main Section

THE advent of the Internet over the last decade has produced sophisticated Malaysian punters who can now study form, watch races and wager bets on local or international races from anywhere in the world.

And betting over the Internet has always been many, many times higher than betting at the turf clubs or off-course betting centres.
Betting with turf clubs and off-course centres are the only legal avenues for Malaysian racing fans.

But what attracts punters to the Internet is that they have a choice of viewing better class horses which compete fairly under close professional scrutiny. This trend will only accelerate. Within the next couple of years, if not sooner, it will be possible for punters to "tune in'' to any race in any part of the world and bet on it. If the choice is between putting down RM50 on a maiden race in Newmarket against a Class 5 handicap at Batu Gantong, it's not difficult to guess which one the punter will opt for. Slowly but surely a time will come when only the fittest will survive in this industry. Only those racing jurisdictions that are nimble, credible, and innovative will survive.

The Malaysian turf clubs have to decide whether they plan to compete effectively in this changing scenario or wither away.

One of the areas in which Malaysian horse racing scores abysmally low marks is in the policing of the the sport. There are just far too many "non-triers". Imagine the plight of small punters who bet their hard-earned RM10 on such horses. They don't get a run for their money.

And the reason behind the existence of these "non-triers" is the belief that some advantage, such as a drop in rating, will accrue allowing for a lucrative gamble in the future.

It's not too late and things can still be done to stop the rot but turf clubs must take stock of the situation and make the changes that will bring back the punters. Of course, betting on the Internet does not have the same atmosphere as at turf clubs. But punters need to have 100 per cent confidence in the industry as only then will they return to betting with the clubs.

Everything in the world is changing and so must the racing industry. If we cling on to outdated views, the industry will be left behind and then become extinct.

Meanwhile, Ipoh-based trainers had a successful outing over the weekend at the Perak Turf Club which was hosting the Penang Turf Club's (PNTC) January meeting when they took 11 races in a card of 16 races. with Abdul Rahim taking training honours saddling three winners with Knightrider on Saturday and Won't Stop and Golden Bearcat on Sunday.

Next was John McGillivray and Stephen Cook.

McGillivray was successful with I Need You So and Sango while Cook saddled No Money No Talk and Blue Tosca.

Luke Danis was successful with Gem Arc, Kevin Coetzee with True Friendship, Chong Keng Leong with Essentially Cool while Evert Breukelen scored with Star Ruler.

(Copyright 2011)