Quote:
Originally Posted by Nitro
I read your “10 Ways” and I thought that at least someone is both concerned and interested in suggesting some changes. I’m not going to critique your ideas, but as far as I’m concerned they didn’t nearly go far enough.
Apparently you believe that the only reason that HK racing is so successful is because the local population has nothing better to do then inflate the betting pools to the point of making them look obscene when compared to state-side racing. Well, I’ve got some breaking news! They’re not the only people betting on their game. And for good reason! It doesn’t take someone very long to recognize the attributes and veracity of their product. It is without a doubt presented with their patronage in mind. (It’s something definitely lacking here in the States for a long time).
You see the integrity of their game is its biggest asset. The world-wide speculation that follows is simply an acknowledgment of that fact. If this single characteristic could be replicated and properly demonstrated in the states, it would create a major change in the perception of not only existing players and horsemen alike, but those outside the game who want to get involved in one way or another.
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I probably could have come up with 12 or maybe 50 ways to improve horseracing, but 10 seems to be the standard number for writing articles. That article was distributed to everyone on the HBPA mailing list.
I think the combination of things that make Hong Kong racing what it is are additively the explanation for their success. But from an economic perspective, you have a culture (Asians) that loves to gamble, you have one entity that controls gambling, you don't have real competition from casinos, and yes, you have a perception of HK being squeaky clean, although I've heard from people who know a little about the inner workings of the HKJC that things may not be as perfect as the public statistics might suggest. You cannot underestimate the contribution of their gambling monopoly and control of gambling supply to the handle Hong Kong does, even if it is not the sole reason. It may sound cynical, but if I controlled all the information that emanated from horseracing, it would be a lot easier to create a perception of integrity. Here, racing commissions can't wait to tell Ray Paulick about the latest trainer positive. I'm not as sure the information escapes the PR people in Hong Kong quite as easily.
Hong Kong is not drug free. This is the drug rules for Hong Kong.
http://www.hkjc.com/english/racingin...vet.asp?part=5
The biggest issue is and will continue to be Lasix. But I happen to believe that even if you went to the Hong Kong medication thresholds, racing's problems here are far more systemic. Whether or not that would have a big impact, I'm not sure it's on any state's agenda.