What are the Main Issues?

Guys, as you know there have been some things said over the past several months that at times have drifted from constructive to destructive and at times way beyond reason.

So how about we try and formulate a set of issues that we can agree upon, and see if we can gain some common ground.

As I've said previously, there is far more that unites us than divides us - so how about being civil and getting a concenus as too what the priorities are - no?

Now, I know I'm a 'late comer' and an Londoner to boot - but I think that gives me as much pluses as minuses - lol! So how about it lads?

By way of getting started, I personally feel that the 'Stakes Money' issue is one that we should get a solid foundation on.

A few weeks back I suggested that maybe they should be 're-jigged' to:

60 / 20 / 10 / 5 / 2.5 / *1.5 / *0.75 / *0.25

The reason being so that we got fuller fields, more competition - however, ONLY if said 'Stakes Money' were to rise = 60% new 'Stakes' exceeds 62.5% current. So NO ONE loses and those who may have no luck in running have at least a little to pay towards a Jockey fee for instance (*paid to winner if less runners).

I think a constructive idea with merit - that is something that can be debated.

How about you? What issue do you think needs to be sorted?

Respectfully, Jim.

You have a TV program in the UK called the Weakest Link, where the winner takes it all and the rest go home with 'nothing'. I know in boxing in order to get a fight from a champ who has it all to lose, deals are made where he might be guaranteed 40% of the prize money. One has to think that winner take all would get you a better fight.

Back to racing, I don't mean to imply a winner takes all situation at all. My point would only be that the more you spread it around, the longer horses that should move on and out would take to leave.

We already have such weak Hcp races in which entire fields have MR's so low that it is unlikely any of them could win a maiden. I don't think it's a good idea to water down the prize money to the tail enders. At the end of the day, IT IS THE PRINCIPLE that this is a competitive grown up sport where you don't all get a lolipop.

It's the difficulty to win that makes the winning so sweet, and the opposite of 'winner takes all' would be 'everybody gets the same' irrespective of how you did. I know which option will make racing better to watch.

To finish off, when the PA changed rules so that 4th no longer counted, it became a better bet. The P6 is more popular than the Jackpot, and the Exacta(2) grew up to a Trifecta(3) and was surpassed by the Quartet(4).

imho: Somehow, the harder it is... the more worthwhile it is.

Fair points Jack.

As I said, this is just ONE issue that I feel is important to Racing in order to 'shake' it up a bit. It's interesting that out of 83+ viewings on one else seems to have any other 'issues' that they'd like to include? Surely that can't be right? Or is everyone 100% happy with their lot?

Respectfully, Jim.