To continue on the theme of Racing Matters in recent weeks, we're back on the matter of Trackside switch to exclusive coverage on the pay-for-view platform Sky TV.
One of the complaints passed on to me by readers is the New Zealand Racing Board's decision to end its association with Sky after some readers and viewers took Trackside's presence on Freeview into account when deciding which digital platform to go with from 2011 onwards.
I asked New Zealand Racing Board spokesman Tom Judd about this decision in particular. Here's his reply:''Some customers may have opted to take up to purchase a Freeview receiver at that time.
However, most would have been digital-ready with either a Freeview-capable television set or a Sky subscriber.
Our research indicated that only 3% of our customers had neither,'' he said.
''The plans for the proposed new channel format are part of a broader broadcasting strategy including a move to high definition broadcasting.
The comprehensive and developing nature of the strategy meant we were not in a position to make an announcement before the digital switch.''
Punters' paradise
Seems like the Triple Trio has been a boon for Otago punters, after a Mosgiel man went the Easybet route on Saturday at the Crofters Arms in Mosgiel and strolled away with $100,000. That follows on from Len Glassford's $300,000 effort the week before.
The only concern is that the New Zealand Racing Board was hoping for some jackpots to build up interest outside the regular racing punters, but we're now down to a $500,000 guaranteed pool for this week.
If there were going to be large jackpots, I would have thought of all weeks, the Wellington Cup week at Trentham would have provided them with big fields and roughies coming in but no such luck.
So long, farewell
This will be the last Racing Matters for a few weeks. By the time next Friday rolls around, I'll be in Gisborne for the nuptials of two good friends of mine. Todd and Nicole met in Dunedin, but now live on the Gold Coast, yet are getting married in Poverty Bay. Confused yet? So am I.
I have one goal to achieve while we're away. Many of you will not be surprised considering the efforts of the Lazy Fiver up until the last couple of months, but I am yet to win the punting competition we have among three or four of us every time we meet up. I'm well overdue, to be fair - the Gamblor Cup will be mine.
From there, a bunch of us are heading Stateside for a couple of weeks, so hopefully I return with all my faculties intact. Any bits and pieces you hear about, get in touch with the sports department by phone (479-3524) or by email on sport@odt.co.nz
Lazy Fiver
Perhaps the weight told with Survived last week in the Thorndon Mile, battling away for seventh. I'll try to go on holiday on a high by going for Better Not Knowing in race 9 at Addington tonight, despite his wide draw.
