October
NovemberLevel playing field?
It always baffles me, the hysteria aroused when a jockey is accused of having had a bet, even when he’s backed one of his own mounts or bet in a race on which he has no influence whatsoever.
What puzzles me is that the same people baying for the jockey’s blood see no problem in trainers, owners and stable staff betting on races in which their horses are involved.
Trainers have as much ability as jockeys to influence race outcomes, while owners and stable staff are privy to the sort of inside information that, were it used to place bets on the stock or bond market, would result in jail time.
To create a fair market, all traders (in this case both bettors and layers) must have equal access to relevant information. In racing they don’t, which is why it’s so hard for the average punter to win.
What about professional punters, I hear you ask? Don’t they win consistently because they do more work than the rest of us?
Maybe, maybe not. It may well be that the majority of successful “pro” punters have close connections to successful stables.
Why do we tolerate this? Because it’s the way it’s always been, and for no other reason.
Cremorne (Vic)