TOTE RECORD AT WOODVILLE ON SATURDAY

Chronicle (Levin), 12 January 1948, Page 3

TOTE RECORD AT WOODVILLE ON SATURDAY

Establishing an alLtime 'course record the totalisator turnover of £51,919 10s at Woodville on Sfaturday when- the Pahiatua Racing Olub held its meeting; appears to have been tlie punters' reply to the Newr. Zealand-wide "strike" of bookmakers. The amount represents an increase of £28,409 10s on the totalisator turnover at the first day of the Pahiatua Club;s summer ipeeting last year, held on January 10. ? ' Although the comparative meeting last year clashed with some other majoi meetings in the JNTorth Island, the extent of the increase in totalisator business ,on Saturday has been described by officials as phenomenal. Strong fields were not earded and heavy rain fell for part of the afternoon, The attendanee figures were up but not to any appreciable extent. The heavy increase in totalisator returns appears to suggest- that a large number of punters who were unable to place bets with their bookmakers beeause of the "strike" either attended the meeting or arranged with agents to invest their money on the totalisator. Another interesting- aspect of the totalisator returns is that the investments showed a swing to the higher units. Investments of £5 constituted 25 per cent. of the turnover, £1 bets accounted for 40 per cent., while 10s bets comprised only 35 per cent. .This has some significance in view of the Gaming Commission's recommendation for the installation of a 5s totalisator. j — *g