TOTE DOUBLES.

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 375, 17 March 1932, Page 16

TOTE DOUBLES.

Exchange System a Big Success in Adelaide. HOW IT IS WORKED. In South Australia as in New Zealand, wagering on racing is confined legally to the totalisator. This was possibly the first State in the Commonwealth to feel the depression, a drought having speeded the arrival of that unhappy condition. With attendances and totalisator returns shrinking alarmingly, the South Australian racing authorities bestirred themselves to find some means of spurring the public interest. One idea adopted was the doubles totalisator and this innovation has proved unquestionably a great success in Adelaide. It had been pioneered in Western Australia, but the South Australians varied the form by introducing the “ exchange ” system. Two dividends are provided for—SO and 20 per cent—when there are ten or more horses started in the second race. Under the “exchange” system bettors do not have to name the two “ legs ” of the double when they make their investment. They back only the horse in the first race (say, in fiveshilling units), and receive a ticket for that horse, as they would if they backed it on the ordinary totalisator. The doubles pool is rung up separately on a special machine, on which only the horses in the first race are shown, and the public is thus made aware how the first “ legs ” are being supported. After the first race is run, the holders of tickets on the winner exchange the tickets at a special window for tickets on their selected horses in the second race. There are no money transactions on this occasion, but the machine again shows how the winning tickets are being distributed among the horses in the second race. Those whose tickets are exchanged for tickets on the winner of the second race have backed the double, and are paid out at the calculated dividend. In South Australia now those who exchange their first race winning tickets for either first or second horses in the second race receive dividends. Under this system, the backer gains a good deal when it comes to picking the second leg. lie has a definite starter, knows the rider, the barrier draw and the prevailing conditions. It also has the advantage from a club’s viewpoint of being extremely simple to operate, requiring no elaborate apparatus.

WANGANUI NOTES. (Special to the “ Star.”) WANGANUI, March 16. Arisus is getting through his work in good style, and should be fit enough to show something like his best form at Ellerslie, where he is engaged in the Easter Handicap. He is nicely placed with 8.3, and will have to be reckoned with if he starts. Fernden is now being trained at Waverley and has been nominated for the sprint events at Feilding. He has had a long spell, and even if he can be kept going the son of Redfern will probably need a race or two before he will be ready to show his best again. Sea Scout is in work and will be a runner at Feilding if she goes on all right. The Night Raid mare showed promise on the track in her early efforts, but went off before racing at Wanganui. Korokio has been more or less sore recently, but there is nothing much wrong with her, and if the tracks become softer before Easter the Redfern filly will probably fulfil her engagements at Feilding. CLUBS TO AMALGAMATE. Per Press Association. GISBORNE, March 16. A special meeting of members of the Poverty Bay Turf Club was held today to consider a proposal for amalgamation with the Gisborne Racing Club, mainly due to the prevailing economic conditions affecting racing in this district. After an animated discussion the following resolution was carried: “That the Poverty Bay Turf Club amalgamate with the Gisborne Racing Club on terms to be approved by the Poverty Bay Turf Club.”