RECORD SUMS HANDLED

Timaru Herald, Volume CLIII, Issue 22471, 5 January 1943, Page 2

RECORD SUMS HANDLED

Heavy Totalisator Investments

New Year race betting was exceptionally heavy. £713.691 10 - being handled by totalisators at nine meetings in the Dominion. At both the racing and trotting meetings at Auckland, record sums were handled, and, on Saturday, the Southland Racing Club recorded the biggest turnover at any meeting ever held in Southland. The betting at Christmas and New Year meetings totalled £1,124.657. The amount handled in 1938, when more meetings were held and there were more days of racing, was £1.103,220. In 1932, during the depression, only £1,372,843 was handled from August 1 to December 31. When comparisons are made between turnovers at holiday meetings a year ago. it should be taken into account that last summer railway restrictions were operative and that the war outlook in the Pacific was particularly gloomy. The restriction of the number of meetings is another important factor, but it is undeniable that more people are anxious to go to the races than at any previous time. Every meeting seems to provide recruits. Comparative figures for January 1 and 2 were:— Racing

Grand totals 713.691 ‘ 413,206-i -This meeting was held on January 2 and 10 last year, the postponement being caused by rain.

1942-43 £ 1941-42 £ Auckland 185,660 88,084* Greymouth .. 23,249* 16,765 Waikouaiti .. 24,576 19,479* Wyndham .. 28.477 16,407 Southland • • 41,042* 38,579 Marton 48.847i 23,418i Stratford 78,842 44,856 Total .. 430,694 i 247,588* Trotting 1942-43 1941-42 » £ Canterbury Park .. 159,194* 92,535* Auckland 123,782* 73,083 Total ■ ■ 282,977 165.618