NOT ON THE RAILS

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 96, 14 July 1927, Page 6

NOT ON THE RAILS

VICTORIAN PREFERENCE SYDNEY BOOKIES INDIGNANT An important question of principle is the recognition of Sydney’s claims to be represented in the betting ring at Flemington along the rails, where the biggest bets are made. The V.R.C. put old established Sydney bookmakers off these prominent positions when the ballot was decided upon, but placed a number of Victorians in their positions who were not required to take part in the ballot. This action occasioned much adverse criticism at recent big meetings. Big bettors from Sydney who wanted to do business with their own men in the same way that they operated on Sydney courses were at a disadvantage. Evidently protests were voiced. At any rate, two, Messrs. J. Hackett, sen., and Sid Baker, are now on the rails for Flemington for a year at least. Both had been there for many years before, and Mr. Hackett for a very long time has been Australia’s biggest bettor on course as well as set events. TREMENDOUS BUSINESS An instance of the huge volume of his business was indicated by his transactions on the last Melbourne Cup. He closed his ante-post book involving anything up to £60,000 the day before the race. Going to Flemington with a clean sheet, he began fresh operations on the course, keeping all his transactions separate from those made prior to the day of the Cup. Yet he achieved the remarkable result of turning out a £16,000 book on the race. And the winner, Spearfelt, was backed for £12,000 on the course that day with him! Sid Baker operates on a very large scale, too, and it is obvious from the

figures above that the V.R.C. cannot afford to turn such men out into the ruck. For big punters’ convenience, it is neecssary that the big books should be available to receive and handle them to visit Melbourne for the Grand Nationals. The fact that Messrs. Hackett and Baker have rails positions has induced their betting.