DUNEDIN JOCKEY CLUB

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 34, 10 February 1936, Page 4

DUNEDIN JOCKEY CLUB

REIIANDICAPS FOR FIRST DAY. [Per Press Association. ] DUNEDIN, Feb. 9. The following are the rehandicaps for the first day of the Dunedin Jockey Club's Cup meeting:—■ Warrington Hurdles.—Arctic Star 11.0. Berwick Handicap.—Concert Pitch 8.0. President’s Handicap.— The Surgeon 9.0. The Surgeon is not rchandicapped in the Stewards’ Handicap and Sovereign Lady is not eligible for the Trial Handicap. BACKING DOUBLES BARRED IN DOMINION PROCEDURE IN BIUBBANE (By ‘ Kestrel.”) F'Cw racegoers in New Zealand are without knowledge of the fact taut “doubles” betting is illegal. Few there are who do not know that it is possible, by underground means, to back a double, especially on two big events, for a euin running into four figures. But in these instances the commission has to be launched well in advance and too frequently there conies one of those slips which occur “ ’twiiit cup and lip.” One “leg” of the double turns out to be a nonstarter, or is ridden by an apprentice, or has drawn an indifferent barrier position. That is most exasperating to the backer, who has no redress, though he has had to accept the frequently cramped oddis offering about his choice a week or even a fortnight before the day of the race. How much more fortunate are those intending investors in Queensland, where it is possible to back one’s fancy in the first “leg” up to the closing time of the totalisator, and then, if lucky enough to select the winner of the linst “leg” of the double, the investor is able to make his last-minute choice for the second “leg.” Brisbane’s mode of betting is most popular with racegoers, and from its inception the schvme has proved a winner, states the Sydney Reforee. The most remarkable feature, however, has been the number of backers, who, after landing the “first leg,” have not bothered to complete the transaction by taking a hc-rse in the second half of the double. The operation is a simple one for Brisbane backers. The double is set for two particular events and these are marked on the race programme. The backer walks up to the tote window, puts down his ss, and asks for a ticket on his first choice. If the selection is fin-t past the winning post, the backer returns the ticket to the tote and exchanges it for another on whatever horse he fancies for t-he second log. Nothing very hard about that, but remarkable to relate week after week racegoers forget to complete their doubles. They win the first half and either lose the ticket or forget all about their first success. The best Brisbane return to date was £265 for ss, tho winning combination being King Merlin and Ardon’s Pride. '■ The Brisbane plan of doubles lakers seems ideal for others to copy. There are many hundreds of backers, who take course doubles from the bookmakers, and in many cases well under the odds. What an inonvation it must be to have full knowledge of the riders, po-t positions, betting, etc., before selecting the second half of a double, after landing the first. Under the present arrangement in Sydney, wh-ere all doubles are through the medium of the bookmakers, backers have to accept the odds displayed on the boards, or keep on walking. Many timet* after landing their first half of a double, the backer finds an unfashionable rider on his second pick, or, perhaps an outside barrier position "which would virtually mean the end of the horse’s chance. Boiled down in a case like thit=, the backer literally presents the operator with a few pounds, or shillings, as the case may be. The Brisbane idea would certainly be a good one for Sydney to adopt, and those in authority could do no better than seek information upon the subject. Increased business to this form of wagering would be certain were the taker of a double placed in a position to overhaul tho field from all angles before making his second selection.