HOLIDAY BETTING

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23545, 4 January 1940, Page 8

HOLIDAY BETTING

DOMINION DECREASE A DECLINE OF £30,000 OVER £1,193,000 INVESTED For the first time since 1935 a decrease was recorded in the aggregate of totalisator investments at race meetings held throughout the Dominion over the holiday period. Twenty-two racing and trotting fixtures have been held since December 23, and in 18 cases there was less betting than at the same meetings a year ago. However,* for the third successive year since 1929-30, total investments exceeded the million mark. This year racegoers backed their fancies to the extent of £1,193,295, in comparison with £1,224,062 10s last season, a. decrease of £30,767 10s. Few Increases Shown The only clubs to enjoy an increased totalisator turnover were the Auckland Racing Club, the Waipukurau Racing Club and the Winton Trotting Club. Investments at the Dunedin Jockey Club's meeting were also substantially higher, but this was due largely to the fact that this year there were three days of racing, whereas only a two-day programme was provided last season. Unfavourable weather, particularly in the South Island, is regarded as one cause contributing to the decline in investments, although rain was not sufficiently widespread to be considered as a general factor. Had it not been for the fact that the totalisator at Ellerslie handled an extra £50,301 during the summer carnival the drop throughout the Dominion would have assumed larger proportions. Two Periods Compared The following comparative table sets out the totalisator returns at the Dominion racing and trotting meetings during the holiday period:— RACING This Year Last Year Auckland .. £309,848 £319,547 Jlanawatu .. 108,712 122,0n4,4 ♦Dunedin .. 05,111 Stratford .. 49,081 50,730 Taranaki .. 45,932% 50,704 Wairarapa .. 41,722% 49,988 Marton .. 38,39-1% 4 2>g63 Southland .. 38,378% 40,891% Hawke's Bay . 23,804% 28,891 Waikouaiti . . 21,375 23,76fc>/i Wyndham .. 15,999 22,200% Oarnaru .. 13,141% 14,011 Greymouth .. 12,876% 17,403 Waipukurau .. 11,780 S-jS?! Westland .. 4,251% 7,350 £801,068 £852,499 •Three days' racing this year, as against two days last year. TROTTING This Year Last Year Auckland .. £109,511% £189,815 Canterbury Park 80,098 89,342/4 Ashburton . . 23,528% 36.302 Gore . .. 18,218 19,793 "Westport .. 17,079% 18,838 Winton .. 13,297 12,888% Recfton .. 4/195 4,554% £332,227 £371,563% Auckland racegoers, through their investments at Ellerslie and Alexandra Park, contributed nearly half of the Ivoliday betting throughout the Dominion. The Auckland racing and trotting totalisators handled £539,357, approximately 45 per cent of the New Zealand total of £1,193,295.