Racing Victoria and AJA re-launch Ride Guide
CONTROVERSIAL punting tool Ride Guide is back in business and will launched to the public this Saturday and will be available for all Victorian Saturday metropolitan meetings.
Ride Guide was launched last year as a tool for punters, but it was quickly shut down by officials as it was seen as a danger to the integrity of racing, but Racing Victoria and the Australian Jockey’s Association announced on Thursday that it will be re-launched this Saturday.
Ride Guide is a digital content initiative where jockeys film and present a preview of their upcoming rides. The concept has gathered support since the ban and will offer a three-month free trial at Ladbrokes.com.au.
Racing Victoria chief commercial officer, Jane Ballantyne, said it was good to see the industry come together to support a new and exciting initiative for punters and general racing fans.
“Racing Victoria is pleased to proceed with the approval of a three-month trial of Ride Guide, which has earned the collective support of industry stakeholders as an innovative concept that can enhance customer engagement,” Ballantyne said.
“We believe that there is now a strong framework in place for the concept to be successfully trialled and be a positive initiative for our sport through the promotion of our jockeys and the valuable raceday insights they can provide.
“We have already seen similar concepts employed by other sporting codes and athletes to increase customer engagement, so I see no reason why Ride Guide will not have a similarly positive impact on racing’s engagement with its customers.”
AJA Chairman, Des O’Keeffe, said Ride Guide will help elevate the profile of jockeys profiles and gives punters extra knowledge before placing their bets.
“We are delighted to proceed with the introduction of Ride Guide and the Association wishes to thank Racing Victoria for their efforts in facilitating a positive outcome for the industry,” O’Keeffe said.
“We see this as a great way for jockeys to provide a unique insight into their rides through an easily consumable format for punters, and a good opportunity for them to impart their racing knowledge and build their own public profile.”
A number of refinements have been made from the original model which was launched last year. The Rules of Racing prohibited jockeys from sharing information for pecuniary interests, but in working with the likes of the Thoroughbred Racehorse Owners Association and Victorian Integrity Racing Commissioner, Sal Perna, the concept has been able to take off.
Ride Guide will proceed on the following terms, which is considered satisfactory to Racing Victoria than the Rules of Racing will not be compromised.
1. Ride Guide content will be available for viewing free-of-charge in the following places:
a. At Ladbrokes.com.au for all visitors – no longer member exclusive content
b. At Jockeyguide.com – an independent website built to service the trial
c. It will also be made available to Racing.com for use on their live racing broadcast
2. Unscriptd will also share Ride Guide content with other Wagering Service Providers (WSPs) at the time of publication as a measure to safeguard transparency across the industry. Other WSPs will not be permitted to publish the content, but may use it in helping to frame their markets at the same time as Ladbrokes.
3. Trainers, acting in their own right or as agent for the owner, will have the option to exercise an opt-out clause should they not want their jockey to discuss their upcoming ride(s) on Ride Guide.
4. Jockeys will not receive direct payments for their content. All funds will now flow to an independent fund to be managed by AJA with the proceeds to be shared as follows:
a. Jockeys – The majority of the fund will be split among the riders based on their standings in a mini-premiership related to their on-track performance;
b. National Jockeys Trust – Funding contribution to support the jockeys and their families in times of hardship;
c. Owners Prizemoney – Funding contribution to support future prizemoney initiatives; and
d. Equine Welfare – Funding contribution to support RV’s equine welfare strategic plan.