IN his popular column, ‘SILKS & SADDLES,’ published in the NORTH QUEENSLAND REGISTER, respected racing writer TERRY BUTTS reports how punters are being ripped off on each-way betting by corporate and some on course bookmakers.
To make matters worse he reveals how a punter who complained got little sympathy from the Racing Queensland Betting Supervisor who seemed more intent on protecting the bookmakers. Why are many racing followers not surprised?
Here is the Butts’ column:
BOOKIES RIPPING PUNTERS OFF BUT LITTLE SYMPATHY FROM RQ BETTING SUPERVISOR
PUNTERS are being ripped off by the corporate bookies and by some on course bookmakers who use the new ‘you beaut’ computer betting boards.
The Rules of Racing clearly state that bookmakers are required to bet 25% of the win price for the place in all each-way bets when there are eight or more runners.
But the corporates brazenly bet their own place prices (usually 20 % of the win price) and, according to one northern punter, so do the on course bookies who use the computer boards that display both win and place prices.
He claimed he had a bet each-way on a horse at $5.50 but was paid only $1.80 for the place portion of the bet.
He complained, stating that he backed the horse each-way and was entitled to a quarter of the odds for the place. The bookie refused.
He further claimed that he got little sympathy when he took the matter to the RQ betting supervisor.
Unfortunately, stewards have no control over the corporate bookies – but local bookies can expect extra surveillance of their betting methods in future.
And surely the corporates should be forced to work under the Rules of Australian racing – not violate them.
If you back a horse each-way insist on a quarter of the odds for the place – as clearly defined in the Rules of Racing.
GRASS FED RACING TO CONTINUE AT EWAN DESPITE WRITING ON THE WALL
THE future of grass fed racing at Ewan is again in focus after last weekend’s racing that on Saturday saw only 26 starters in five races.
Crowd numbers were down markedly with one bookmaker reporting his hold was down by 50 per cent on Friday and down by a third on Saturday.
“But that is the trend everywhere these days – there are fewer punters,” he added.
The AGM voted again to continue with the grass fed concept in spite of growing discount among some committee members who want the change to corn fed.
Apart from the tradition of grass fed racing, the current hierarchy of the club maintain they would lose its current two-day status.
“Definitely not true,” said Racing Queensland CEO Darren Condon.
So now you know!
FROM MAGGIE ISLAND TO AFRICA THEY CHEERED HOME TOOWOOMBA WINNER
THERE was plenty of cheering (and a lot of quaffing and tippling) when Syn City got the money in the two-year-old feature at Toowoomba on Saturday night.
The cheers went from the Picnic Bay Hotel on Magnetic Island to the middle of darkest Africa where Peter McHugh, one of syndicate partners, is on a business trip.
Holding fort on Maggie was his mate, the well-known surfie John Sadd, also a syndicate partner of the Liam Birchley-trained colt, which is now being aimed at a race at Moonee y Valley on Cox Plate day.
It was a long day for McHugh who rang Saddie at 5.40am on Saturday to listen to the race.
“He got his times mixed up – the race was at 6.40pm,” said Saddie.
And it was a long day (and night) too, for Saddie, possibly the oldest surfer on the Island.
He retired and returned from China last year to take over as caretaker of the Picnic Bay Surf Club of which he has been a member since 1966.
A seasoned punter he admitted to ‘a good bet’ on the horse and that he did the right thing and shouted the bar.
And so he should have.
There were only four customers – and one was a tee totaller.
“We had a good party though – and I can’t wait to get to Melbourne.’’
“But now I’ll have to buy a bloody suit!” said the proud part-owner.
ONE OF THE OLDEST BOOKIES’ CLERKS IN THE COUNTRY STILL GOING STRONG
MACKAY’s Arthur Prichard turned 85 last week and must be one of the oldest licensed clerks in Queensland – if not the nation.
He started work as a clerk over 50 years ago for Eric Hansen and during that half century has worked for most of the Mackay bookies.
He is one of the old style bagmen who can call the bet both win and place the old way knowing all the odds.
In recent years he worked for Lois Blogg and, the inimitable Lloyd Palmer.
He has worked on many tracks including Darwin, Alice Springs, Emerald, Clermont, Miles, Moranbah, Bowen, Townsville and Cairns, often calling the bets for recently retired Pear McCrohin.
Arthur will make a cameo appearance on Melbourne Cup day in Mackay (where it all started) working for Gary Gorrie who will return from Thailand for his very last day as a bookie.
On a sadder note we report that Percy Goldston, who started bookmaking in the 1950s in Mackay, has passed away recently aged 89. He was a great old bloke and highly respected.
AND another great bloke of renown - Gary Smith, former farrier, trotting driver and racehorse trainer of Mackay in the 1970s and 1980s – died recently after contracting Golden Staph in a Brisbane hospital where he had been admitted for leg surgery. His funeral will take place in Rockhampton at 10am on Friday.
CRUISE TO COOKTOWN FOR CUP MEETING CREATES CONSIDERABLE INTEREST
OUR brief last week about to upcoming Cooktown Cup meeting (November 8) has created considerable interest.
Seems everyone wants to get aboard the Reef Magic that has been chartered again by the Cairns Multiple Sclerosis Trust and Cairns North Rotary Club.
Organiser Karyn Smith said the cruise to Cooktown for the races will support a special Multiple Sclerosis ward to be attached to the hospital to provide 24 hour constant care.
It is a novel way to attend an exciting race day on perhaps the oldest racecourse in Queensland.
It was a place where Chinese gold seekers and early settlers thronged to the picturesque little track to indulge in their favourite past time at the turn of the 20th century while the wives sat under umbrellas and played mah jong.
The Cooktown Cup cruise last year was so successful that Karyn was encouraged to do it again – and there are still vacancies – but the ship is filling fast.
It leaves at 6.45am on Saturday November 8 and arrives in Cooktown at 11.30.
It is just a beautiful, scenic, relaxing cruise all the way with morning tea, and a Calcutta organised by well-known commentator Bluey Forsyth.
“Local buses will collect us at the jetty in Cooktown to take us directly to the race track,” Karyn said.
“We have our own marquee seating, licensed bar, light lunch and entrance to the track.
“After the races the party goes back to the boat for the return journey during which buffet dinner is served and passengers can dance the night away until arrival in Cairns at 10pm.”
All that for $290 per person (concessions available) – phone Karyn on 0407 632336 to book.
COLUMN COURTESY OF TERRY BUTTS AND THE NORTH QUEENSLAND REGISTER, one of Australia's leading rural newspapers.
TERRY BUTTS can be contacted by e-mailing: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
