A landmark week with the launch of the wonderful Cagnes-sur-Mer flat meeting and a new bet type from the PMU.

 

Question du Jour

We’ve known for some time that the PMU had a new bet type coming but whilst I don’t doubt the effort it has taken to both obtain approval and develop this new concept, it seems like French customers are being served with a bet that isn’t far off the heads vs tails wager you’ll be able to have on the Superbowl next month (#TailsNeverFails).

‘Question du Jour’ is just that. A simple question, concerning a single race, with easy-to-understand outcomes, such as the name of a trainer or the sex of a horse.

Little wonder, then, that as the PMU seeks to move away from numbered outcomes, that the bet which launches today is not available in PMU cafés.

The PMU are throwing press conferences, free bets and even Antoine Greizmann at this.

Those keen to exploit an angle may be disappointed to see an 18% overround in above example, where Antoine is deciding between a winning male jockey (1.62) or female jockey (1.75).

I look forward to seeing how the PMU will treat non-runners and late changes. The bet ‘question’ is decided the afternoon before, but as we know, especially with 48-hour declarations, so much can change in the lead-up. In the above question, perhaps it would be all in, run or not, which is far from ideal without either a reduction factor or an option for digital customers to cash out their bet for no loss.

Take the first QDJ today. It’s effectively a trotting H2H, with a ‘rag’ option if both end up being unplaced:

Aiming for €25m turnover on the bet in 2022 looks a tall order, even if void markets are being counted in that projection.

 

Busy year

Someone is due a busy year, having picked up 57 horses from the Aga Khan. Francis-Henri Graffard has 215 horses listed in his care currently, no doubt with more to come. Hardly a surprise then that’s he looking for staff.

May be an image of 1 person and text that says "GRAFFARD RACING Recrute CAVALIERS D'ENTRAINEMENT Postes à pourvoir dès maintenant! à Chantilly Équipe dynamique, conditions de travail intéressantes et respect des chevaux! Vous êtes un(e) cavalier(e d'entraînement motivé(e) ayant de l'expérience envoyez votre CV à racing@graffard.com FG GRAFFARD RACING"

 

Hot trainers

Beyond the very obvious ones like Ferland and Rouget, Gianluca Bietolini has his string in good order and his fourth runner of the day yesterday provided him with his first winner of 2022.

Eliano looks a three-year-old to follow this spring from his stable. He won a Deauville maiden that threw up Fort Payne last year in good style and he looks a potential ace with Theo Bachelot on board. He should be seen in a conditions race next and of course the trainer has Grand Glory for the Saudi Cup or the turf equivalent.

 

Twitch – the new thing?

Equidia is trying it’s hand at ‘live’ betting punditry, with digital consumers now invited to join a Twitch hangout to watch claimers from Cagnes and trotting from Vincennes.

The Racing Post has a similar show and whilst these broadcasts inevitably produce a few seconds of golden content, the time is very hard to fill between races.