Response from Phumelela

Titch regardless of when it took place, it happened and that turnover is gone from the tote pools because of utter arrogance. If you doubt the accuracy of my info I am sure it can be verified by a call to the Meyersdal or Glenanda books. Lance Michael is another and his turnover must be 10 x these 2 I mention.

So at least we do agree then that the open bet is depriving us of playing into much bigger pools and that both the exotics and our race by race pools are being depleted by this ..

Titch wrote: So at least we do agree then that the open bet is depriving us of playing into much bigger pools both the exotics and our race by race pools are being depleted..

Its difficult to disagree with facts Titch, if you take something out of a total what is left must always be less. Grade 1 mathematics.

What I do not agree with is the mindset that Phumelela are entitled to 100% of tote bets. These guys have crippled local racing there is no other way of looking at it. If Phumelela can offer fixed odds I see no problem with the open bet. You can't have it both ways.

OTA racing is hardly cripple bud...

Titch wrote: So at least we do agree then that the open bet is depriving us of playing into much bigger pools and that both the exotics and our race by race pools are being depleted by this ..

NO, because the open-bet players will never return to the dreadful service of the Tote.

Titch wrote: OTA racing is hardly cripple bud...

Really? How many tracks do we have in comparison to when Phumelela took over? What are the state of the tracks that are left in comparison to when Phumelela took over? What are the stakes like as a ratio to training costs since Phumelela took over? Its crippled Titch be with me on this one.

I got a call from a mutual friend who sends his regards - he tells me that you are an agent for the tote Titch? Hardly a neutral argument if this is the case?

Titch, I admire your vigorous defence of the tote and although I might not call it crippled either, it can hardly be called a blossoming business.

No healthy operation requires subsidisation and without growing the customer base are not exactly facing an improving outlook.

We would all like to see racing doing well but are concerned about the lack of meaningful initiatives to make this a reality.

I can defend the operator up to a point as I understand the complexities of the business and the economic realities that they are faced with.

What cannot be defended is the lack of long term initiatives to grow the racing customer base as this might take time but the pay off will be immense.

Mac wrote: NO, because the open-bet players will never return to the dreadful service of the Tote.

Once again Im lost ?? are you saying that people that now make use of the open bet will cease taking Pick 6's JP's etc should the open bet no longer be an option...

We need to stop blaming one side or another side snd get on with it before punters ( the most important cog) are driven away.

The UK similar population and Aus ( much smaller population ) seem to have a much higher standard of racing and they both have bookies and a tote.

Bookies in the UK pay a % of their profits to the levy ( before expenses )

Over the Air wrote: I got a call from a mutual friend who sends his regards - he tells me that you are an agent for the tote Titch? Hardly a neutral argument if this is the case?

LOL Im hardly an agent for the tote ..fact of the matter is that I am trying to get an online affiliate license that will allow me to service my members and give a more hands on service via a call center, email service, a % return to them on their monthly turnover etc which has still got a few legal hurdles to get over, but that has been a very recent venture that has absolutely no bearing on my thoughts regarding the open bet which i have opposed to since its inception and have made that very clear for ages..so u can tell our "mutual friend" to check his facts b4 making unsubstantiated claims...

Over the Air wrote: Really? How many tracks do we have in comparison to when Phumelela took over? ?

How many meetings have been lost as a result and how many Stakes reductions have we seen ??

Titch wrote:

Mac wrote: NO, because the open-bet players will never return to the dreadful service of the Tote.

Once again Im lost ?? are you saying that people that now make use of the open bet will cease taking Pick 6's JP's etc should the open bet no longer be an option...

Yes I do. For example the tote only opens at 11am on Sat and that is the internet! I can take a Pick 6 24/7 with the books in my convenience.