UNPRECEDENTED SCENES
RUSH TO PLACE BETS (Rec. 7 p.m.) MELBOURNE, Nov. 15. More money than has .ever before been seen on an Australian Vracecourse went to Flemington for Dark Felt’s 1943 ‘Austerity " Melbourne Cup. It is estimated that more than £1,000,000 was placed in bets and the totalisator returns reached the record figure of £177,733. The previous totalisator record was £161,862 on the last Caulfield Cup day. There were only six events at Flemington on Saturday, while there were seven at Caulfield. On the standard formula accepted by the Commonwealth Income Tax Department, about five times the totalisator amount went ' through bookmakers. The crowd of 90,000 was 30,000 short of the Flemington record of 1926.
Experienced racing men said they have never seen such a mad scramble in the betting ring. Women collapsed and men were knocked from their feet as crowds fought to place bets. This unprecedented betting rush is reported to have angered members of the Federal Cabinet. Ministers purposely boycotted the Cup. A course appeal for the Commonwealth's Fourth Liberty Loan of £125.000,000, which has been over-subscribed, added only £BOO.
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Otago Daily Times, Issue 25384, 16 November 1943, Page 2
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183UNPRECEDENTED SCENES Otago Daily Times, Issue 25384, 16 November 1943, Page 2
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