EASING UP

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 855, 26 December 1929, Page 13

EASING UP

BAD FOR TOTALISATOR

Both in Australia and England for years past jockeys wlio have seen that their chances of winning are remote have eased their mounts. This was all right when the bookmakers alone were operating and one could bet to win only, and not for a place, but the advent of the totalisator paying dividends on 1,2, 3 placings has in some instances been revolutionary in its effect, and it cannot be long before strict instructions will have to be issued that horses must be ridden out on every occasion. A Sydney writer penned the following in this connection in his paper of December 19, reference being mad.e to the effect of the existing conditions on decreasing totalisator returns: Some concern has been voiced by racing officials in the past couple of years regarding the decline in totg,lisator investments. Certainly the main reason is the smaller attendance, but a contributing factor may be that of preventing a horse from gaining a minor place when victory seems altogether beyond him. The regular racegoer does not view the totalisator as a happy medium for investment, but there are many people who derive almost the same amount of enjoyment from racing by having a small wager on the machine as if they had accepted a much longer straight-out price from the bookmaker. Will Not Be Wanted

If instances such as were witnessed at Rosehill on a recent Saturday are permitted to become prevalent, the totalisator revenue will most likely decline still further. In more than one race on that day, jockeys were noticed easing their mounts when they considered they had no chance of succeeding, tactics which they and their masters evidently believe will be instrumental in bringing about more lenient treatment by their handicapper.

In one particular instance, it appeared as if a light-weight rider deliberately took matters quietly over the last half furlong, so that his horse would not run into a place. He cut things so finely that it was only in the last stride or so that he was beaten out of a place, and many totalisator supporters of the horse were deprived of a return on their investment, together with a little interest. It may not be out of place to remind riders, especially those who have only recently received permission to appear in public, that. the race is not over until the correct weight flag is hoisted. It is not so many months since an owner was counting his winnings at Rosehill when his horse was in front a very few* strides from the judge’s box. The horse, however, did not get there first, having broken down badly, almost on the post.

WAIKOUAITI FIXTURE Press Association DUNEDIN. Wednesday. Acceptances for the Waikouaiti meeting on January 1 are as follow: Trial Plate, 6 furlongs (weight 8.10). Fun and Fancy, Bon Waif, Royal Bluff, Sofmuri; Hadocli, Taxio, King Bow, Corn Queen, Crown Mystery, Coupling, Captivate, Quin Opal, Joy Bridge, Moth, Wise Choice, Corn Leaf. Bray Memorial Handicap. 5 furlongs.— Meadow Lark, 10.5; Subdivision, 9.7; Royal Tractor, 5.9; Tripaway, 8.8; El Boa, 8.7: Mount Boa, Attract, 8.5; Polgate, 7.9; Maitui, 7.2: Colonel Quex, Wigwag, My Council, 7.0. Waikouaiti Cup, 1J miles.—Taboo, 8.0; Wingatui, 5.5; Tcheka, 8.3; Narrative, 7.5; John Bradbury, 7.4; Waving Corn, 7.3; Tembroney, Tardy, Stealth, High Gear,. Royal Flower, 7.0. New Year Trot Handicap, 1 mile.— Jolly Chimes, Great Scott, Tiny Bingen, Aseto, x Lady Zephyr, Pando Pointer, Dillon Bird, Violet Ray, Ka Ta Rama, Bernie Bingen, limit; Golden Vale, Ambition, 12yds bhd; Hawkesbury’s Pride, 60; Kenny Dillon, 84.

High-Weight Handicap, 1 mile. —John Bradbury, 10.3; Tripaway, Heather Lad, 10.1; Master Clarence, 10.0; Tardy, 9.11; High Gear, 9.10; Martis, 9.9; Court Jester, 9.6; Royal Flower, Green Cloth, Felony, Solmuri, ♦Crown Mystery, 9.0. Hawkesbury Hack Handicap, 6 furlongs.—Attract, Bonrose, 8.13; Mount Boa, 8.9; Miss Marco, 7.12; Crossbow, Colonel Quex, 7.10; Wigwag, Fun and Fancy, Springbow, Corn Queen, 7.7. Domain Trot Handicap, 1 mile.—Dolly Chimes, Violet Ray ,Bon Bow, Great Scott, Tiny Bingen, Auto, Travis Wilkes, Aviatrix, Guy Bingen, Elite Bingen, Tingles, Molly Desborough, Prince Bingen, Radio, limit; Golden Vale, Wallace Mac, Ambition, 12yds bhd; Almont Cling, Gold Chimes, 24; Sasin, Cytheria, 36; Sungleam, 96. Orbell Stakes, 7 furlongs.—Subdivision, 9.9; Evening, 9.3; Waving Corn, 9.2; Stealth, 9.1; Sudden Storm, 8.13; El Boa, 8.9; Martis, 8.7; Court Jester, 8.3; Solgele, 7.10; Thurso, 7.5; Miss Marco, Felony, Solmuri, 7.7.