Betting plan rejected

Press, 5 July 1977, Page 20

Betting plan rejected

PA Auckland A move by the Avondale Jockey Club to introduce an extended form of quinella betting has been, rejected bv the combined Racing and Trotting Conferences after trotting delegates opposed the scheme.

Avondale wanted brought into operation “swinger” betting, which is a consolatory variation of the quinella. In swinger betting dividends are paid not only on the first and second horses as in the quinella. but also on the first and third and second and third — irrespective of order.

The pool is divided In three equal parts. It does not benefit a better to have first and second more than second and third. “The idea is not to necessarily select first and second or first and third,” said the A.J.C. secretary, Mr J. K. Wild, yesterday, “but any two of the first three placings.” Swinger betting is in existence tn several countries. It is especially popular in South .Africa, from w’here Avondale deceived much of the information it put forward initially to have the scheme adapted. The combined Auckland and Waikato District Committees recommended Avondale’s proposal, as did the Racing Conference when the matter was referred to It. Avondale asked that, if the regulations were approved, it be

allowed to run the first swinger pool In New Zealand. It proposed to operate only one or two for a start. Mr Wild said that he had received a letter from the combined conferences which stated that the trotting representatives had voiced their objection to such additional forms of betting as it was contended that popularity of quinellas was based on the fact the better had the chance of a substantial dividend. “They said they were opposed to a system which meant that the present quinella was split into three pools,” said Mr Wild. It was never the A.J.C.’s Intention that quinella betting be replaced, he said, but that an additional form of betting be made available. This was evident in the club’s submissions.

“We wished for permission to run spongers at our discretion and according to their popularity. “Obviously, if the regulations had been approved in the context we sought, clubs, both racing and trotting, could operate swingers just when and. where they thought fit — or not at all if they apposed the idea. “Furthermore, any club which has more than one set of recording mechanisms — the Auckland Racing Club. Auckland Trotting Club and Avondale are just three — would be able to operate a quinella pool and a stringer pool on the same race.” Mr Wild said that this and forecast betting were two types of betting available yet not provided by all or. In fact, many clubs.