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| Turf rulers ring changes for 2010 • Trial of decimal odds instead of old fractions• On-course bookies must offer standard each-way termsRacing For Change, the industry-wide body seeking to modernise racing and widen its appeal, today reveals an initial list of 10 trial measures designed to bring "positive change for the sport and its customers". All 10 will be implemented in the first half of 2010.The most striking proposal is a trial of starting prices returned in decimal odds, rather than the traditional fractions, at several meetings over a single weekend in the spring. Decimal odds, which are simply multiplied by stake money to give the total return if a horse is successful, are familiar to many internet punters, and users of the Betfair betting exchange in particular. To date, though, racecourses and betting shops have retained fractional odds, such as 15-8, 9-4 and 100-30, many of which date back to the birth of the sport in the mid-1700s.RFC also wants media training for trainers and jockeys, and will set aside a budget to pay fees for individuals who make appearances outside the mainstream racing media. All trainers and jockeys, meanwhile, will soon be listed on racecards by their first and second names.Another new initiative is a free club for "younger adults", which will offer discounted admission to tracks as well as shares in horses. Potential new fans will also be able to visit a specially-designed website with basic information about the sport and the best way to get involved. Both new and current racegoers will hope to benefit from a scheme to "encourage" on-course bookmakers to offer standard each-way terms, while RFC believes "race names should be simplified and racecourse announcements modernised". There will also be an attempt to bring some of the excitement of line-call challenges at Wimbledon to the racing experience, with the outcome of photo-finishes displayed on big screens as the judge announces the result.Taken individually, none of the schemes will bring about profound or immediate transformations, but RFC will hope to signal a new mood in racing ahead of more fundamental reforms of the sport's structure, which should be announced within the next two months. Discussions are also underway over a scheme to trial the televising of stewards' inquiries.Chris McFadden, the chairman of Racing For Change, said the current process recognised "we have to raise our game" if the sport is to "connect, as it did in the past, with the wider public". He added: "What [racing] requires is a clearer structure and better presentation of its strengths: its drama, spectacle and heritage as well as its equine and human stars."Prospects of any jumps racing before the weekend remained remote last night. Today and tomorrow are already blank days, except for all-weather fixtures, while there is little hope for Thursday and Friday. Saturday's meeting at Ffos Las is due to stage the Welsh Champion Hurdle but the clerk of the course, Tim Long, said yesterday: "We couldn't race at the moment and had minus-six last night."The BHA has added an extra mixed meeting at all-weather Lingfield on Thursday, with three bumpers and three Flat races. Southwell will also stage a Flat meeting on Friday.Suspended jail term for Conduit threat, main section, page 12 Horse racingSport bettingGreg Woodguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds guardian.co.uk |
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