RACE BROADCASTS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 90, Issue 6, 8 January 1946, Page 6

RACE BROADCASTS

EFFECT OF BAN IN SYDNEY Sydney, Dec. 18 The Government-sponsereq Sydney Turf Club which took over tne proprietary racing clubs and their courses, in Sydney this year may ban the broadcasting of race descriptions and information from its tracks, as a result of an experience at its Canterbury course on Saturday. To a large audience of stay-at-home or starting-price punters, all commercial radio stations have, for years, given a comprehensive service of racing detail, including horses engaged, post positions, and jockeys, and an accurate description of the races in runnir*, then the results. Betting information is forbidden. The ban on the use of radio during the iron, coal, and shipping strike, and therefore, the suspension of the radio stations’ racing service gave the racing authorities last Saturday an idea of how the radio services affect racecourse attendances.

Despite transport restrictions a record 30,000 attended the suburban Canterbury course. Totalisator investments were £85,876, which was a record for a suburban course in Sydney. Bookmakers also reported a record turnover for such a meeting. Many punters were unable to find accommodation in the stands and missed the races. After making their bets they j-lood listening to the description of the races over the official amplifying system in far less comfort, than was their wont in their homes at their own radio seis. A Sydney Turf Club committeeman said: "I| was a revelation to note how the absence of broadcasts brought so many S.P. backers to the course. If transport facilities had been available we might have doubled our usual eiowd. It is important that race clubs >hould consider this effect of racing nt oadcasts." Starting price bookmakers admitted that without race broadcasts their business had fallen by 75 per cent. They had tried to secure information for their clients by employing “tirkt ackers” (agents inside the course) - who, by code signs Hashed betting, prices, starters, and other information to confederal* s outside. The infor - mation was then phoned to Hie S.P. bookmakers who passed it on Io their clients. II is doubtful if the banning of inoadcasts from the precincts of the courses would boost, race meeting attendances. Commercial radio racing commentators have been permitted inside courses only in recent months, and If the privilege was withdrawn they would probably revert to their former of broadcasting desi riptions and details from vantage points outside the courses, such as especially erected stands or from hired balconies of convenient flats, where, -with the aid of powerful field glasses, a quick patter-, and good imagination. expert commentators can give an exciting and entertaining description of a race-