TURF NEWS AND NOTES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 21 August 1940, Page 3

TURF NEWS AND NOTES

CURRENT TOPICS FROM STABLE AND COURSE

Pari-Mutuel Betting in America

(BY

“THE GRAFTER.”)

The public had its first taste of this form of betting at the Jamaica track recently. Jamaica is a small course. Opening day was not very bright, nor was it warm, but more than 25,000 persons jammed the small establishment and wagered more than 800,000 dollars. The crowds through the week were smaller, but the betting average remained firm, and after six days the total had reached 3,055,979 dollars. On the first warm and bright Saturday a crowd of more than 30,000 persons wagered 1,050.068 dollars through the machines. The second week's aggregate was 3,611,376 dollars. What will happen, they asked on every hand, when the meeting opens at Belmont Park, another nearby suburban track, but the largest in the East and roomy enough for 100,000 or more? The record pari-mutuel turnover- in America was made on Kentucky Derby day in 1930, when 2,500,000 dollars passed through the machines. Ten per cent of all the wagers is divided between the tracks and the State, and if the Jamaica average holds through the summer and autumn—with the bigger meetings yet to come —the State's share, conservatively estimated, should be more than 5.000,000 dollars. All of the New York tracks have in-, stalled totalisators. They are said to

be similar, but not so good as the aTAustralian machines. A special comr pany was formed to manufacture them . in time for installation in the spring. Big Betting Week.

Betting on the totalisator during Grand National Week almost reached record proportions. It was only £15,000 below the amount invested in 1920, the year of all-high records, while on only two other occasions has the betting been higher than last week. The total betting amounted to £357,420, the heaviest since 1922. The betting cost racegoers £60,309 by way of totalisator and dividend tax.

This year’s figures show a tremendous increase over last ' year, being £42,786 higher, although Grand National Hurdles day was affected by heavy rain overnight and threatening weather. On the second day’ at Addington, too. the figures must Have been affected by the rain which set in before the last race was run. More money was handled by the machines at Riccarton on Tuesday than was handled for the three days in 1932. The biggest winner of the week, as usual, was the Government, which collected £33.503 from the 5 per cent totalisator tax and the 5 per cent dividend tax. Owners also passed over 1 per cent of the stakes.

In the Dark Given Away. F. Holmes has tired of In the Dark. His performance at Riccarton last week, when he stopped at a hurdle when going easily in front, disappointed his owner-trainer. He gave the gelding awsy to Mr W. T. Hazlett, who took him home with the other members of his team when he returned to Southland on Sunday night. It will be no surprise if In the Dark is given a trial as a steeplechaser next year, though he may do some racing bver hurdles before then.

To be Tried over Hurdles. After some disappointing form on the flat, it is intended to try Settlement over hurdles, and C. Emerson will make an early start with his education. Spartan is another Riccarton horse for whom a similar programme is in' view. T. H Gillett will give him some schooling very soon.

Tommy Ruff Sold. Tommy Ruff has been sold to Mr J. M. Shaw, of Timaru.

RACING FIXTURES

.y August 24. —Pakuranga Hunt. ' ' August 29. —Egmont-Wanganui Hunt. August 31. —Taranaki Hunt. August 31.—Otago Hunt. September 5. 7.—Wanganui. September 14.—Ashburton County. September 14. 1G. —Avondale. September 19, 21. —Geraldine. September 21. —Marton. September 28. —Kurow September 28. —Foxton September 28. 30. —Ohinemuri.

Pari-mutuel betting on horse races has returned to New York State, the site of many of America’s leading fixtures, after more than 40 years, and the results are opening the eyes of many of the sceptics and reformers who had been preaching its evils. Perhaps it is closer to the fact to say that New York has pari-mutuels for the first time, for mechanised betting has never before been seen there, although it has flourished in other States, notably Kentuck, Maryland, Florida, and Massachusetts, since the turn of the century. The only Mutuels New York remembers were the “auction pools’’ popular in the 1880's and 189 G’s, or as they were called by many at that time—“the Paris mutuels.” Despite various reform movements, legislative battles and pulpit tirades, the “auction pools” enjoyed some success, then gave way to the bookmakers. Three decades ago, even bookmakers were outlawed, and the only wagering on the State's tracks was sub-rosa. Several of the famous old New York tracks went out of existence during this era, but the Jockey Club, with a membership of millionaire horse-lovers and breeders, refused to let racing die. Agitation for pari-mutuels was started more than 20 years ago, and five years ago the real movement for the machines I began. With influential citizens and newspapers behind the idea it finally won through the Legislature.

One Horse Style. Boloyna scored in one-horse style in both his races at Riccarton. Not For Sale. A probable buyer found that Winning Rival was not for sale. Jewish Lad Makes a Good Start. Jewish Lad was making his first appearance over fences when he finished second in the Hunt Cup Steeples, in which he gave a good display for a maiden. Stale and Overdone. When Tidewaiter went out a strongly supported chance for.the Styx Hurdles he did not shape with any dash, and previous efforts had left him a bit stale and overdone. A Lucky Punter. Taxpayer paid around three-quarters of a century when he won the Longbeach Handicap. It is said that a lady punter had £4 on for a win and £1 for a place.

Half and Half. Half and Half was well clear and travelling like a sure winner when he tipped out five furlongs from home in the Styx Hurdles. Grey Honour. Grey Honour seems to be feeling the effects, of his recent hard races. Poor Form. Araboa's recent form has been poor and she is a long way below her class of last winter. A Promising Hurdler. Six- Frederick is a promising young hurdler of whom more should be heard. He is a five-year-old horse by Night Raid from that former smart mare Waving Corn. Streamline Sent Home. With the jumping season at an end, G. Ridgway has sent Streamline home for a spell. The Day Comet gelding did well this winter, as he won the Great Northern. Hurdles, and should come back next year ready for more jumping honours. New Zeaiand Cud Conditions. The committee of the Canterbury Jockey Club has decided to leave stakes and conditions of the New Zealand Cup the same as last year. The prize will be £2OOO, including a gold cup valued at £75. The committee reserves the right, however, to modify the conditions any way if circumstances warrant such action on account of war conditions. Entries will close on Friday, September 6.

PAKURANGA HUNT MEETING

DIVISIONS AND BRACKETS. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) AUCKLAND. August 20. Divisions of the Sylvia Park Handicap at Pakuranga Hunt meeting are as follow: — First Division: Estro, Odtaa, Hunto, Beau Leon, Classic, Royal Fawkes, Sieglinde, Tea Blossom, Veyana. Korotangi, Lady Pay, Casual, Gay Rosettte. Kraal. Kerona, Mimax, Sir General. Little Willonyx. Foxola, Flying Jay. Natal, King Louis. Second Division: Selwyn, Monte Cristo, Belle Femme, Sir Lysander. Rex Maitland, Expellant, Glen Connell, White Mark, Hot Shot, Princess Vai, Romani, Boomps-a-Daisy. Golden Bonnet, Empire Rose, Goldrace. British Mint, Bournemouth, Rara Avis. Stratford. Phil Vaals, Money Spinner.

Brackets: Belle Femme and Beau Leon. Sir Lysander and Classic, Rex Maitland and Royal Fawkes. Expellant and Tea Blossom. Glen Connell and Sieglinde, White Mark and Veyana. Hot Shot and Korctangi. Princess Vai and Lady Pay, Roman:’ and Casual. Eoomps-a-Daisy and Gay Rosette. Golden Bonnet and Kraal. Empire Rose and Kerona, Goldrace and Mimax. British Mint and Sir General, Bournemouth and Little Willctiyx, Rara Avis and Foxcia, Stratford and Flying Jay, Phil Vaals and Natal. Money Spinner and King Louis.

Other brackets are as follow: — Harris Hack and Hunters’ Hurdles: Bright Idea and Beeswing. Jellicoe Handicap: Brazen Bold and Black Musk. Auckland Handicap: Milanion and Hackenschmidt.

Admiralty Handicap: Gamos and Queen City.