Holiday Betting

Manawatu Times, Volume 65, Issue 5, 6 January 1940, Page 8

Holiday Betting

INVESTMENTS EXCEEDED THE MILLION MARK For the first time since 1935 a decrease was recorded in the aggregate of totalisator investments at race meetings ;cld throughout tho Dominion over the -oliday period. Twenty-two racing and rotting fixtures have been held since December 23, and in 18 cases thero was oss betting than at the same meetings i year ago. However, for tho third successive year since 1929-30, total investments exceeded the million mark. This year racegoers backed their fancies to the extent of £1,193,295, in comparison with £1,224,062 10s last season, a decrease of i 30,767 10s. Few Increases Shown. The only clubs to enjoy an increased otalisator turnover were the Auckland facing Club, the Wellington Racing Jlub and tho Winton Trotting Club. Investments at the Dunedin Jockey Club’s .neeting were also substantially higher, but this was due largely to the fact that this year there were three days of racing, whereas only a two-day programme was provided last season. Unfavourable weather, particularly in tho South Island, is regarded as one causo contributing to the decline in investments, although rain was not suffijcientlv widespread to be. considered as a general factor. Two Periods Compared. The following comparative table sets out the totalisator returns at the Dominion racing and trotting meetings during the holiday period:— RACING This Year Last Year Auckland .. £369,848 £319,547 Manawatu .. 108,712 122,0541 *Duncdin .. 65,111 44,603 Stratford .. 49,861 56,730 Taranaki .. 45,9324 50,764 Wairarapa .. 41,722* 49,983 Marton .. 38,3944 45.663 Southland .. 38,378* 40,891* Hawke’s Bay .. 23,864* 28,891 Waikouaiti . • 21,375 23,766* Wyndham .. 15,999 22,200* Oamaru .. 13,141* 14,011 Greymouth .. 12,876* 17,453 Waipukurau .. 11,780 8,551 Westland .. 4,251* 7,385 £861,068 £852,499 ♦Three day’s racing this year, as against two days last year. TROTTING This Year Last Year Auckland .. £169,511* £189,845 Canterbury Park 86,098 89,342* Ashburton • .. 23,528* 36,302 Gore .. 18,218 19,793 Westport .. 17,079* 18,838 Winton .. 13,297 12,888* Reefton .. 4,495 4,554* £332,227 £317,563* Auckland racegoers, through their investments at Ellerslio and Alexandra Park, contributed nearly half of the holiday betting throughout the Dominion. The Auckland racing and trotting totalisators handled £539,357, approximately 45 per cent, of the New Zealand total of £1,193,295.