By Neale Donnelley

Metropolitan harness racing in Melbourne has undergone a huge change over the past few months.

On July 1 Harness Racing Victoria, in a move that shocked many within the industry, transferred metropolitan racing from Saturday to Thursday nights.

Under a strategy titled "Go For Growth," HRV announced that it was out to increase the revenue streams for the industry by improving the off-course turnover figures. It claimed this would happen by adding the Thursday, Friday and Saturday night figures together, suggesting that they would increase significantly, thus improving the industry's financial position.

"It was a major decision to make the move. The rationale behind the move was backed up by a lot of data we had gathered," he said. "We knew we were taking a risk, but a risk worth taking."

King said that the on and off course figures had been in steady decline on Saturday nights and that the costs of opening Moonee Valley had always been prohibitive.

By moving to Thursday nights, HRV could virtually close 95% of all areas within the racetrack - and this it has done.

The only areas open are the ground floor parade ring bar and a reduced area on the second floor for members.

King says the off course turnover figures have shown a 6.6% increase whilst operational costs have been quite dramatically reduced.

Doug Simkin has been through the good times but he fears for the times ahead after what he has witnessed over the past few months.

"Where we are in the downstairs bar there is no food and no room, yet people have no choice - it is the only room open on the course," he said.

"After the Harness Racing Club put pressure on HRV they decided to open the second floor for members, but this hasn't helped the public."

"Thoroughbred racing is going to great lengths to attract young people - they are ten years ahead. HRV is not doing that," he added.

"I understand this is not an easy sport to sell, but to say all income comes from off course turnover is a nonsense," he continued.

"Look at Cranbourne for example. They promote their meetings and they attract good crowds all the time. People are together upstairs and there is always something happening."

Moonee Valley has been hosting Thursday night racing for over four months now, and depending on who you talk to it has either been a great success or a slap in the face to on-course patrons.

Long-time bookmaker Doug Simkin, 64, has been working on harness racing for more than 40 years. During this time span he worked many years at the old showgrounds, and he has worked at Moonee Valley since the track was opened back in 1976.

Doug has been one of the few bookmakers to stick at harness racing meetings when many have been long gone. He says if you do your form properly and understand the market you are catering for, bookies can still
make a living on course.

So, it is fair to suggest Doug Simkin is well qualified to make comment on the shift of metropolitan harness racing to Thursday nights.

"HRV has turned its back on the public," Doug said, getting straight to the point. "It has lost sight of the fact that it is important to have people on course. People should be encouraged to go on course, but they are not now."

HRV Chief Executive Officer Richard King puts a different slant on things. He says the Board is "very happy" with the results after the first months of the Saturday to Thursday shift.

"If the turnover figures continue it will mean more than $1 million more in revenue for the industry, and that has to be a good thing," he said.

King wants people to sit and wait before passing judgement on the move. He admits on course attendance is poor, and that the atmosphere on track is lacking but he claims when the Thursday nights move to Fridays through the summer months (starting October 10) things in these areas will improve.

"When we move to Friday nights in the summer and the weather improves and the better horses start racing, attendance and atmosphere will get better," he said. "I really urge people to wait and see what happens before they pass any judgement."

King virtually admitted the point that Doug Simkin made in regard to not encouraging patrons to go to the track. "We made a decision that during the winter months not to use too many resources for too little
response, but we will be heavily marketing the Friday night summer circuit," he said.

Let's have a look at some of the realities of this move. The Victorian Harness Racing Club - the members in other words – has lost 31 percent of its membership since the announcement was made - that's a fact!
With the public having just the downstairs parade ring bar open - where the bookmakers and several tote windows are operating - their dining options are nil. There is no food outlet in this area! And there is no
seating - unless you walk out of the bar and up into the grandstand.

And as for atmosphere - there simply is none.

"And the caterers must be making a living because they are there every meeting - they wouldn't be there if they were not making money."

On the topic of atmosphere, Simkin has a firm opinion. "None whatsoever - and it will only get worse."

"Thursday nights are a downer! It would seem that the HRV has lost sight that you must foster interest in the industry.”

Richard King says that things will get better on course, citing the changes to Friday nights as a positive step.
"Our advance bookings for the Friday nights are very good and people should be aware we will have more areas open on a Friday night," he said.

"People are quick to forget how the lack of atmosphere at Moonee Valley on a Saturday night was a problem."
"You know, 97% of our income comes from off course turnover and we will be putting our resources and money into promoting Friday nights. And we have the SEW Eurodrive Victoria Cup carnival coming up in December and that will be a bonus for us," he added.

When HRV announced its shift away from Saturday nights, it announced the following changes: Thursday night racing in the winter to avoid Friday night football on television. Friday night racing in the summer months riding
along with the main Sydney meeting at Harold Park. Saturday nights on the two nights of the Victoria Cup Carnival in December (moved from the traditional February timeslot) and the two nights of the A.G. Hunter Cup carnival in February.

So, we can assume that it all comes down to money. We're told there will be more of it to go around in the coming years, but like Doug Simkin, I wonder at what cost!