October
FebruaryBetting on oblivion
The Brisbane on-course bookmakers received a fair bollocking in the press after the Eagle Farm meeting on January 19.
Although it is acknowledged there were only two bookmakers working the Eagle Farm meeting, what happened is a disgrace and if this problem is not tackled there will be no bookmakers at Brisbane racetracks in the not-too-distant future.
The author of an article I read pointed out that at the jump for race 6 these two intrepid souls were betting to a market of 150 percent — which, when you consider the TAB bets to a fraction under 115 percent and Betfair closer to 105, is simply a ripoff.
The other serious concern involved the official fluctuations published around Australia, adhered to by corporates offering "best fluctuation" and accepted by a possibly unsuspecting public. In this race the official fluctuations on both La Frisson Belle and Indubious were $2.90 opening odds and $2.90 closing odds, which means no one bet any substantial amount on either of the equal favourites! I cannot believe I have just typed that sentence.
With the market at 150 percent there is no surprise no one bet, as the TAB Sportsbet fixed odds for the two horses were $4.50 and $3.80.
Many years ago I complained to the bookmakers supervisor at the Geelong greyhounds that the bookies were betting 170 percent in some races.
I was told: "It’s the bookmakers’ choice what prices they bet — you don’t have to take them." Of course, most punters took that advice, abandoning visits to the betting ring.
No one would blame a bookmaker for betting inflated odds in unraced two-year-old races, where form is essentially non existent, but let’s get real.
These days there are so many opportunities to watch replays, while an increasing level of sophistication is creeping into form guides. There is no excuse for the slackness of the Queensland betting ring.
Sadly, nothing will be done as the racing administrators obviously don’t bet with their bookmakers and the bookmakers association (I assume there is one) wouldn’t dare upset anyone as they watch (and that is the key word) their business die.
It’s no wonder the corporate bookmakers and Betfair are ruling the roost as, blow me down, all they are doing is giving the punters fair odds.
Hoppers Crossing (Vic)