Criticism of totalisator

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32541, 26 February 1971, Page 5 (Supplement)

Criticism of totalisator

(N.Z. Press Association) SYDNEY. Addington’s totalisator indicator boards were rapped by the “Sydney Morning Herald” trotting writer, W. Whittaker this In his column “Setting the Pace,” Whittaker declared that after watching Inter-Dominion racing for three nights it was obvious Addington had a lot to learn from Harold Park. Sydney, on two important counts. Whittaker said Addington’s totalisator indicator boards were

“primitive” compared with Harold Park’s modern computerised set-up. He also said stipendiary stewards refrained from informing thepublic about inquiries. “The totalisator indicators are of the type discarded on Sydney’s racecourses about 20 years ago and they are inaccurate to say the least,” Whittaker said. “I noticed that the price against a horse is shown at say 12-1, then one second later it could be 3-1. "There being no bookmakers, there is no competition for the totalisator, and few seem concerned about improving the indicators.” Whittaker said the totalisator selling facilities were highly efficient. „ A Stewards told the publie next to nothing” about their activities. “They merely say they have opened an inquiry, then make a sketchy report.” Whittaker wrote that on Saturday night when Roy don Roux lost about a furlong at the start ano finished last, costing punters a small fortune, stewards reported the filly "broke” badly. "They did not say they had issued a warning or that she would be expected to improve, her barrier manners. This would have been a formality at Harold Park.”_