Racing Queensland shuts down punters filming on course
IF there’s one way to put punters’ noses out of joint a month out from your biggest racing carnival of the year, this is the way to do it.
Racing Queensland has purportedly issued Twitter page Punters Collective a cease and desist order on filming footage from the mounting yard at all Queensland racing meets at the behest of Sky Racing.
Due to a cease and desist request sent to @racing_qld from our good friends @SkyRacingAU we will no longer be able to provide the video 1/2
— Punters Collective (@tpcaus) April 11, 2017
footage of any runners from the mounting yard. This was a very small component of our coverage so we will continue to fight the good 2/2
— Punters Collective (@tpcaus) April 11, 2017
The Brisbane Racing Club CEO contacted the administrator of Punters Collective Nick Meredith directly to inform him of the news, who believes the move was made by Sky to “protect their content”.
Meredith, who wanted to stress he has had nothing but support from both the Brisbane Racing Club and Racing Queensland, said he was “expecting (the ban) at some stage”.
“Seems petty but it’s only a very small part of what we are doing,” Meredith told HorseBetting.com.au.
“(The ban) Just makes us more determined to be honest.”
The move is a surprising one given the social media success racing has been over the last year.
The top trending topics on a Saturday race day are typically thoroughbred racing related, and the bigger races generate as many discussions across Facebook and Twitter as any of the nation’s larger sporting codes.
a better coverage you gave that @SkyRacingAU doesn’t cover in depth that helps educate punters who then invest more. https://t.co/qO31umGd7A
— Grant Roberts (@Grannymay69) April 11, 2017
Punting pages on Twitter especially have been a great strength of the racing community since social media’s inception, giving enthusiasts the opportunity to let their voices be heard as well as provide on-track updates and footage for those who cannot make it to the track.
R9- 2 good ,4 very fit, 8 ready to go, 9 great condition Spurs – nil- 8 looks ready to win pic.twitter.com/yI5FBKA555
— Punters Collective (@tpcaus) April 8, 2017
Sky Racing is yet to issue a statement on the situation, but punters have rallied around the Twitter page.
A flood of condemnation came in from all angles.
@tpcaus @TheProfitsComAu @racing_qld @SkyRacingAU Wouldn’t want enthusiasts enjoying the sport…
— Alan Petridish (@Faustus_Socinus) April 11, 2017
@tpcaus You are doing a better job than sky coverage and they feel threatened
— damon vowles (@dpvowles) April 11, 2017
It is unclear at this stage what is behind the move, but ostensibly the cease and desist order is to protect Sky’s content agreement alongside Racing Queensland.
HorseBetting.com.au has contacted Sky Racing and Racing Queensland for comment and will provide statements when they come to hand.
MORE TO COME
Looks as though Sky Racing is trying to protect their product, but the punter gets shafted as usual!