LARGE TURNOVER

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27387, 12 May 1950, Page 7

LARGE TURNOVER

Totalisator In Otago And Southland RESPITE NEAR FOR PUNTERS By Springfield Since December 26 last there have been 40 cays of racing and trotting in Otago and Southland, 20 in each province. This total is made up of 13 days of trotting and 27 days of galloping. There were also a number of trotting races included on galloping programmes. Racing enthusiasts still appear to have plenty of money with which to back their fancies, and. over the period, a total of £1,834,508 10s was invested on the totalisator. In Otago there were five trotting meetings at which the investments totalled £463,108 10s, and 15 galloping meetings at which the aggregate was £503,542 10s, making a grand total of £966,651. In Southland there were eight trotting meetings, including a number of new permits, and £264,315 10s was handled bv the “ machine ” at these fixtures. The 12 galloping meetings in the south handled £603,542, making a grand total of £867,867. With a number of meetings held earlier in the season and several still to be held.it seems certain that more than £3,000,000 will be handled by the totalisator in the two provinces, a considerable sum when U is considered that the total population is about 215,000. These figures represent an increase over those for the previous season, due in the main to the extra trotting permits and the institution of the doubles totalisator. At most meetings the pool for the double has been about the same as for an average V-ace. One unfortunate feature of the racing in the past few months has been the number of clashes which have occurred between meetings in the two provinces These clashes have sometimes cost minor clubs a big drop in revenue, which, if continued, might result in some of them having to hand In their permits because of the lack of support. After the Invercargill and Oamaru Trotting Clubs’ meetings tomorrow there are onlv five more days of racing in the two provinces. The galloping season has ended in Southland and the Gore Trotting Club’s meeting on May 20 will conclude the light harness season. The Oamaru meeting is the final trotting meeting in Otago and the final galloping meeting in the province will also be held on this course on June 17. The other three days are the Dunedin Jockey Club’s meeting, which will be held on June 3. 5 and 10.