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Letter of the Week

Glory days

I have always believed that, like football, horse racing is relative to the particular time.
However, I thoroughly enjoyed Peter Roberts’s letter (19/8) in which he reminisces about the 1960s.
As I am now the number of trombones that are leading the big parade, I also found this era of racing very special.
Living in Victoria’s far north west I rarely got to the city to see the horses Peter mentions race but on occasions, courtesy of three older workmates, I did.
These three were serious, hardened, successful punters who had access to reliable information from city stables and paid a percentage of their winnings to their sources.
Their philosophy of betting was: “It is far better to be unhappy driving a BMW than happy riding a bike.”
For me these were my formative years learning the culture of the game.
Once they took me with them to the city specifically to back a horse called River Ovens, which duly won.
When I collected my winnings I discovered the bookie had overpaid me, so in my youthful innocence I approached him to explain and hand the excess back.
To my great surprise, he scowled then scoffed: “Why do you young b------s come to the races when you don’t understand the odds?”
I knew I was right but I think he felt a bit humiliated so didn’t want to admit his error.
Anyway, when I returned to my friends in the bar I told them what had happened .
They were aghast and severely castigated me: “You never return money to a bookie, you young idiot — they are the enemy!”
Others nearby in the bar who heard them dressing me down also shook their heads in disgust that someone could be so stupid.
I still feel a bit guilty about it all today, but for what reason I am not sure.
And yes, Peter, as you wrote: “Those were the days a punt was a punt!”
Your letter also brought back many great memories for me — thank you.

 

Chalky
Swan Hill (Vic)
Today's Racing
Friday 29 March
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