TROTTING.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 285, 2 December 1933, Page 20

TROTTING.

TOTALISATOR BETTING.

WIN ONLY NOT. POPULAR.

CLUBS MAKING CHANGE.

REVERTING TO TWO DIVIDENDS,

The decision of the New Brighton Trotting Club not to operate the win only betting on the totalisator at its meeting to be held on Saturday next will cause no surprise, as there have been many expressions of opinion by owners, trainers and backers, that the present system of operating for a win only and for a place is not satisfactory. When two dividends were paid there was only one pool, but the introduction of the win and place betting meant that the investments were divided into two pools, and except at the metropolitan meetings it was almost suicidal for an owner to support his horse heavily, because the dividends, owing to the small amount on each machine, would be so small that the price returned would not be considered a fair one. The New Brighton Club will revert to the old order by paying two dividends where there are eight or less starters, but where there are nine or more starters three dividends will be paid.

After the recent Forbury Park meeting a Christehurcli "Star'-' writer said that if the opinions expressed by backers could be accepted as a true indication of the feeling of the betting public the win and place method was likely to go out of existence in trotting. Already, he said, two clubs have decided to revert to the old system, and more than one metropolitan club may change also. Big betters, too, are pronounced in their opinions tlmt the win and place principle is unsuitable to New Zealand requirements. Big betters complain that the volume of investments made on the win machine is insufficient to warrant them placing a substantial wager on a horse to win, and, again, the dividends received are not commensurate with the outlay and risk involved in having to back a horse to be first past the winning post. If they endeavour to make a covering wager on the place machine the dividend is infinitesimal, and one that seldom recompenses a backer for a loss made on the win machine. Another big objection to the present method is that it often forces a speculator to invest more money than he wishes, with attendant serious results should the horse break at the start or finish down the course. If a person uses the place machine he can win only a few paltry shillings, and he lias consistently to be at the pay-out window to prevent incurring a loss on the day's investments. If he patronises the win machine the risk is too great, and he again goes home a loser. Many students of the win and place system argue that the only possible way to use the present system with any hope of making a profit is to back a horse "both ways," but a majority of people decline to be drawn into the net of i betting twice as much as they want to do. ! Numerous opinions were expressed at Forbury last week, and in every instance the win and place method was wholly condemned. One of the leading trainers frankly admitted that he considered it a hopeless business to back a horse for a substantial amount and gain a reasonable return, and that the majority of big betters were now patronising other channels through which could be obtained two chances for the one investment. As for the increase in the returns it is considered that now the novelty of the win and place system has worn off, and its real value is known, a return to the old method with a slight amendment would be welcomed by all concerned. Asked for an expression of opinion as to which method is preferred, big betters and email betters were emphatic that first and second dividends should be paid on fields of eight horses, but in fields of more than eight horses three dividends should be paid, in the ratio of 70, 20 and 10 per cent.