MY CALL: WALLER AND WINX - THE NEXT TWELVE MONTHS! SO MANY CHOICES, SO LITTLE TIME
By David Fowler | Tuesday, October 31, 2017
David Fowler is the principal thoroughbred caller for Radio TAB. David, who is a keen form student and punter, has enjoyed a lifetime involvement in the racing media. His personal blog, ‘My Call’, appears exclusively on HRO.
The management skills of Chris Waller and Winx's owners are poised to enter the "red alert"level.
If their management expertise was a school subject, the report card would be marked "exemplary" during this 22 win streak.
But it's all about to get a hell of a lot harder for two reasons.
More options in less time.
It would,be a brave person who would suggest Winx's racing span will extend past the next 12 months.
And here's the jigsaw puzzle pieces that sit in front of the Winx crew.
A start in the Emirates on November 11
Compete in the Championships in Autumn 2018?
Compete at Royal Ascot (plus more) in our Winter 2018?
Attempt a fourth Cox Plate in the Spring 2018?
Not all pieces of this jigsaw will be used but the ones that are will have to fit together.
It will be Chris Waller who will decide with the happy sanction of her owners.
So many choices but so little time.
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The Moonee Valley Racing Club could have simply opened the gates and sold out the joint.
Granted, they were presented with a no brainer of a promotion as Winx attempted Cox Plate history.
But the MVRC are a savvy lot and wanted to give their patrons an experience. A day they would never forget.
And they delivered in spades.
As my PRESS ROOM colleague Bruce Clark correctly mentioned that it's the"one percenters" that sealed the success.
The on-track experience between 4:30 and 5:30 was breathtaking.
And there's one thing that I keep pointing out as I attend these Sydney and Melbourne carnivals.
The right use of music pre and post race is a key catalyst for triggering a range of emotions.
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A recent report penned by consultancy firm The Gemba Group is well worth a read.
What they write is not new but they provide insightful detail and potential solutions to the issue of the "milennials" and their relationship with racing.
The milennials are an age group broadly born between 1982 and 2000.
The figures provided on their interest in the industry and accompanying investment are disturbingly low.
The conclusion drawn is that no action by racing administration to understanding and catering to the milennials needs will see the industry become irrelevant.
As I've said it's not new but it's time for some action, particularly marrying the product to the ever evolving communication technology and continually refreshing it.
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I can highly recommend Ken Linnett's recently released book "Tulloch" ... The extraordinary life and times of a true champion"
It's an easy read, accompanied by some wonderful photography.
And join me on Radio TAB's This Racing Life this Sunday at 7:15 am (Queensland time) when my special guest will be the legendary Melbourne race broadcaster John Russell.
Now 87 and still as sharp as a tack, "J.R." will relive many Melbourne Cup memories.
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