The plethora of negative observations about our noble sport appear to be reaching a crescendo, writes Ralph Fell in the Sporting Post Mailbag.
Permit me to add mine, as having to endure the drivel uttered by the presenters finds me in the throes of seeking a more relaxing outlet for my few gambling clams.
On Sunday 11 March, on two occasions Sheldon Peters stated, five minutes prior to the running of the particular races, that the horses concerned were paying quote unquote ‘only 80 cents a place’ and ‘only 70 cents a place.’
Sheldon has been around a decade and more yet constantly serves up drivel. Might I add he is not alone. This fixation with stating what selected horses are paying win/place three to seven minutes prior to the ‘off’ is disingenuous at best and utter rubbish at worst.
Yet I sense there is an agenda to encourage punters to bet with the tote as opposed to bookmakers. Do we long suffering punters need to be told the various pools for arbitrary races whilst the pools are ‘climbing all the while?’
My message to the instigators of this patronising manure is simple.
Treat punters as individuals who are knowledgeable, passionate and yearn for a high quality presentation.
The time has arrived to up your game.
