October
AugustTote-al folly
Richard Callander has had some justifiable lambasting over his comparison between Australian racing and the world scene.
The main problem appears to be that he has not seen enough of the world yet. Maisons-Laffitte’s marble stands and its Pari Mutuel are something quite uniquely special.
However, on one point we are the envy most particularly of England, where many of us are more likely to travel.
In an example that is not untypical, a thoroughbred who cost £500,000 won its first race at Cheltenham last November, a highly prestigious hurdle race for three- and four-year-olds, and £5000 was the first prize.
Let it be a lesson to us . Bookmakers there have always had 90 percent of the business and the tote, without supportive legislation, has only gathered 10 percent.
The money that can be collected to contribute to owners’ prizemoney is accordingly abysmal. It is our envied position to have a fairly absolute tote monopoly at present, but we are trying to give it away.
Bendigo (Vic)