PETER MAIR of SYDNEY weighs into the debate about whether running less races in Queensland next season will help boost field sizes. He writes:
‘A lead story in the subscriber-only website The Straight this week is about ‘field sizes’
Queensland …. looks to boost field sizes. Field sizes across Queensland averaged NINE in 2024-25. For optimal wagering returns, it is generally accepted that 12 runners is an ideal number to keep punters motivated.
Talking-up a transition from ‘9 to12’ is a bit hopeful.
Metropolitan field-sizes on Saturdays, the big turnover days, typically average 14 while ‘mid-week’ meetings are lucky to average ’10’.
Is it sensible to ‘inflate’ the big-money, Saturday field sizes? The mainstream racing media are remiss in not reporting objectively.
If the aim is ‘to keep punters motivated’, the decision needs to factor in the consequences of inflating metropolitan Saturday fields with ‘Bradburys’ — no-hopers turning up for generous money paid to finish in the First-10.
A long-term cost of this tactic to inflate field sizes is the erosion of trust with punters. Congested fields are conducive to ‘interference’ and associated ‘rough-results’ — the quality of the racing product is devalued.
As well, inflated fields provide cover for apparently ‘no hopers’ that are ready to run a-blinder at long odds. Runners involved in this caper are not just ‘first-uppers’. Whatever, the consequences are the same — an erosion of trust. Punters will tire of playing ‘find-the-surprise’ in the form guide.
These observations apply in spades when it comes to go-for-greed, stand-alone Saturday race meetings. Provincial administrators cannot help themselves.
As for other field-size rorts, standout illustrations see big stables with multiple runners in one race. This nonsense needs to be stopped — stables being over-paid to pad-out field sizes is evidence enough that some races would not otherwise be run and should not be run.
Managing the religion of racing should aim to keep-the-faith with punters.’
