Betting Increase At Coast Meetings

Press, Volume CV, Issue 30962, 19 January 1966, Page 4

Betting Increase At Coast Meetings

(From Our Own Reporter) GREYMOUTH. A resurgence in support for West Coast galloping meetings is noted in a comparison of the betting figtires for the 10 Coast galloping meetings since August 1. Eight of the meetings have shown increased on-course turnover.

Although only two of this season’s trotting meetings have shown on-course investment increases, this is not because of a decline in popularity but because of bad weather. The threat of centralisation has hung over two clubs, Reefton and Kumara, for more than a year. They both proved they could run successful meetings on their own courses this year. Excellent weather for all meetings except the Greymouth Jockey Club’s two-day fixture at Omoto in November, a better standard of gal-

lopers, and larger fields probably account for most of the betting increase. Another reason is the increase in the number of locally-owned and trained horses and their success. Total on-course investments on the 10 galloping meetings this season amount to £140.170. On the corresponding meetings last season £127,631 10s was invested. Although four of the six trotting meetings have shown decreases in on-course turnover, the over-all total, thanks to a successful two-night meeting of the Greymouth Trotting Club last Labour week-end, increased from £112,119 10s to £118,379 10s. Combined galloping and trotting on-course investments this season stand at £258,549 10s, £18,798 10s more than the £239,751 for the corresponding meetings last season.