Weakness of The Eureka – worldwide owner speaks out

Worldwide harness racing owner and breeder Gordon Banks has spoken out on the weakness of Australia’s slot race The Eureka’s and Harness Racing Australia’s management of it.

Banks and his cousin Mark Hanover are renowned for their massive involvement in harness racing owning hundreds of horses across North America, New Zealand and Australia.

Not only do they have an exceptional understanding of how harness racing operates in all three jurisdictions, they most certainly have more money invested in the sport worldwide than Harness Racing Australia’s industry leaders.

It might pay for those leaders to sit up and take notice of the knowledge and views of Gordon Banks that follow:

The industry is in bigger trouble than recognized –

Harness Racing Australia’s CEO Mr. Kelly has a long record of listening only to himself!

The EUREKA funding is a disgrace –

Slot races are never deep, top fields. Always two or three top horses and the rest just fillers! True in Canada, true in NZ, true in Australia! Never a true test, merely a public relations opportunity because of a false big prize money purse!

The down under handicapping system still a disaster –

This system pushes everyone to sell or export usable, good young horses below stake level. We have sold five of these in the last few months; all would have been kept under the old system!

Harness racing’s leaders must understand that while building wagering (a key objective), it is NOT the only objective – 

There must also be a focus on giving young horses a fair chance to compete without constant handicaps and outside draws, and on giving owners a reasonable chance to make money with mediocre horses. Under the current system, anything less than a stake horse is a dead end street!

Australia’s entry system allowing entrants a look see and withdrawal is incredibly counterproductive –

It creates a situation under which races don’t fill, especially for young horses. Instead you need race secretaries who create appropriate sub conditions and narrower race classifications producing the competitive races all are willing to enter.

Trainers should not be allowed more than one entry in any race, unless field doesn’t fill. Even then there must be a two-horse limit to break the stranglehold that the dominant barns take advantage of! Additionally, the computer draw system is a non transparent disaster, creating a widespread sense of inequity and manipulation!

We certainly have no intention of purchasing any more down under yearlings or horses to race there until these problems are intelligently and fairly addressed! 

by Gordon Banks

by Harnesslink Media