Race vision hits shoals
THE racing vision debate continues to bubble along, with local officials incensed at Sky bumping a Doomben race from Thoroughbred Central in favour of a Newcastle race that had been delayed at the weekend.
“Queensland is being marginalised by the treatment of our partners,” BRC chief executive Dave Whimpey said.
“Punters betting on Queensland frankly deserve better. The BRC deserves to have its product showcased alongside Sydney and Melbourne. That’s what the punters want.”
But a well- placed source south of the border said much of the angst being vented in Queensland will continue unless a deal is struck for Sydney and Brisbane to share in a 52- week free- to- air deal.
“The current contract is unambiguous. New South Wales provincial has priority over Queensland,” the source said.
“They can supersede that problem if they go to a free- to- air deal with Seven. The contract can be rewritten and put Brisbane on a level footing with Sydney.”
NSW officials remain adamant they will secure a 52- week free- to- air deal but sources from Tabcorp and Racing Queensland suggest there are still issues to be resolved.
The broadcast landscape continues to move rapidly. The Seven Network carried dual coverage of Flemington and Randwick at the weekend after a week in which Racing NSW supremo Peter V’landys made moves to bridge the divide between the two states.
Racing. com CEO Andrew Catterall responded by saying he supported the uniting of vision between Australian racing’s two most powerful states.
“In an ideal world, punters want to see Victorian and New South Wales racing on the same platforms, digital and broadcast,” Catterall told Racing. com
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