"In my opinion, the TAB has shot itself in both feet with this ridiculous change of policy. Will all the telephone account punters be happy to place their bets if they can't see the races on Freeview in their homes? I can't believe they will," Bott wrote.
Asked if it was a matter of profit versus loyalty to punters, Patrick said while Freeview was free to the consumer, the costs associated with broadcasting on the service were substantial.
"The number of viewers using this service does not make economic sense going forward. Our research shows 18 per cent of our customer base use Freeview [but] 79 per cent already view our channels through Sky in their homes."
Patrick said the board had received "significant support" throughout the country as well as some complaints, "which was to be expected".
"While we have received other customer complaints from other areas of the country to date, we have had 50 per cent more sign-ups on to Sky versus the number of customer complaints - showing that our research and the offer put to our customers has helped to facilitate the transition."
It had no plans to provide a daily wrap on any other free-to-air TV services but, she said, the Melbourne Cup and a range of New Zealand's premier racing events would still be available live free on Prime.
They include the New Zealand Trotting Cup, New Zealand Galloping Cup, Wellington Cup, Karaka Millions, Waikato Sprint, Auckland Cup, Harness Jewels and the Great Northern Steeplechase.
Patrick said the board was listening to customers.
"It should be noted that the additional revenue received from switching across to Sky TV will enable us to invest in our programming and take on board the feedback customers have been giving us for many years.
"If we remain on Freeview we will not be able to make these enhancements."
He said it also would help the board increase its financial return to the racing industry.
"We return all our profit to the industry, yet it faces significant challenges.
"To safeguard the industry and ensure customers have quality racing to watch, we need to act.
"We have developed a strategy to address this and the move to Sky TV is a key part of that."
Patrick said punters would also support the industry by betting through the TAB.
Trackside is now broadcast on the Freeview and Sky TV platforms but it is understood a desire to save money on broadcasting fees paid to Freeview and Kordia was behind the board's decision.
Patrick said while saving money on broadcasting fees was a factor, a plan to split content across two channels - which will be rebranded Trackside 1 and Trackside 2 - could be achieved if they were broadcast on the same platform.
"It is a better commercial deal," he said.
