Bracketing of horses: Is it a feasible option?
There has been clamor for bracketing of horses as several horses belonging to the same owner run in the same race and at times, the lesser fancied horse wins at the expense of the favourite. On Sunday, Polish Patriot won from stablemate and favourite Becket by a whisker with the first six runners finishing within reach of each other. The finish was a handicappers dream though the result was due to the terms of the race which leveled the chances of most well performed horses in the fray.
The protagonists of bracketing of horses are making a renewed demand for bracketing of horses because such a system existed very long ago. We do not know whether the system will work in the present scenario and in multi-pool betting system. We do not have studies to suggest that bracketing can eliminate all the mistrust.
Bracketing of horses means that two or more horses belonging to same owner are given one number for purpose of betting. The odds will be the same and the bettor would win his bet irrespective of the winner among the bracketed horses.
This system can operate in club operated tote betting system where the ticket punched for either of the two horses participating will be the same. In the past, the system may have worked when it was a straightforward bet for a win or a place.
But we cannot say for sure if it will work nowadays. There are several questions that need to be answered. How will this system work when it comes to Second Horse Pool, Trinella, and Exacta? What will happen if there is a dead-heat? How will the dividend be calculated? How will the bookmaker offer odds? Will he make a Jodi of two or more horses of the same owner as one and offer odds? What if the odds on one horse are less than half money? What odds will he quote? Since our racing survives on money generated through betting, will there be betting at all in races where the first horse is cramped on money favourite and the other is at 10 to 1? What will happen to the jackpot pool which is a multi-leg pool which attracts quite a bit of money without corresponding returns? What will be the fate of the pool if the bracketing system is introduced?
If one were to analyze the result sheet of any season, the occurrence of a horse belonging to same owner winning at the expense of a more favoured one is less than 10 per cent of the entire season’s races in the worst scenario. Is it reason enough to bracket horses when we have over 200 races each season and do we believe that all other races are suspicion free?
If the turf clubs were to introduce bracketing system of same owners, then demands could be made for bracketing of horses belonging to same trainer even if they represent interests of different owners. The question of jockey's loyalty will also arise then. Because a handful of jockeys ride for same owners at different times, should we insist for bracketing of jockeys too?
Vivek Jain, Chairman of the RWITC, said that bracketing of horses belonging to same owners was approved by the last committee but was given up because of problems of implementing it. He says: ``The RWITC committee had approved bracketing last March but dropped the proposal as the bookies did not agree and further, consequent to the tax hike, we could not take any step that would have had a negative impact on betting.’’
Nirmal Prasad, Secretary of Bangalore Turf Club, said that bracketing of horses is not a viable proposition. ``The current system has enough safeguards. Betting will collapse if the bracketing suggestion is implemented. People who are demanding this are not aware of its impracticalities.’’
As has been wisely put, ``Racing is inextricably linked to betting and there is an element of suspicion about almost every single day. Punters who lay bets and which don't work out according to their opinion feel that bracketing is a suitable option.’’
What is racing without its mix of pitfalls, thrills and spills. Like in life, there is an element of skill and deceit involved. Without these elements, racing could be plain boring.
The rules of racing are elaborate to tackle any infraction. There are professional Stipendiary Stewards and an elected board of Stewards. What has failed us is the system. If we still think that bracketing system can eliminate all undesirable practices; it can only be a wishful thinking.
If racing has to be regulated at every level, with suspicion as the guiding factor, then we might as well close down racing. Such a sport then does not deserve to exist.
The protagonists of bracketing of horses are making a renewed demand for bracketing of horses because such a system existed very long ago. We do not know whether the system will work in the present scenario and in multi-pool betting system. We do not have studies to suggest that bracketing can eliminate all the mistrust.
Bracketing of horses means that two or more horses belonging to same owner are given one number for purpose of betting. The odds will be the same and the bettor would win his bet irrespective of the winner among the bracketed horses.
This system can operate in club operated tote betting system where the ticket punched for either of the two horses participating will be the same. In the past, the system may have worked when it was a straightforward bet for a win or a place.
But we cannot say for sure if it will work nowadays. There are several questions that need to be answered. How will this system work when it comes to Second Horse Pool, Trinella, and Exacta? What will happen if there is a dead-heat? How will the dividend be calculated? How will the bookmaker offer odds? Will he make a Jodi of two or more horses of the same owner as one and offer odds? What if the odds on one horse are less than half money? What odds will he quote? Since our racing survives on money generated through betting, will there be betting at all in races where the first horse is cramped on money favourite and the other is at 10 to 1? What will happen to the jackpot pool which is a multi-leg pool which attracts quite a bit of money without corresponding returns? What will be the fate of the pool if the bracketing system is introduced?
If one were to analyze the result sheet of any season, the occurrence of a horse belonging to same owner winning at the expense of a more favoured one is less than 10 per cent of the entire season’s races in the worst scenario. Is it reason enough to bracket horses when we have over 200 races each season and do we believe that all other races are suspicion free?
If the turf clubs were to introduce bracketing system of same owners, then demands could be made for bracketing of horses belonging to same trainer even if they represent interests of different owners. The question of jockey's loyalty will also arise then. Because a handful of jockeys ride for same owners at different times, should we insist for bracketing of jockeys too?
Vivek Jain, Chairman of the RWITC, said that bracketing of horses belonging to same owners was approved by the last committee but was given up because of problems of implementing it. He says: ``The RWITC committee had approved bracketing last March but dropped the proposal as the bookies did not agree and further, consequent to the tax hike, we could not take any step that would have had a negative impact on betting.’’
Nirmal Prasad, Secretary of Bangalore Turf Club, said that bracketing of horses is not a viable proposition. ``The current system has enough safeguards. Betting will collapse if the bracketing suggestion is implemented. People who are demanding this are not aware of its impracticalities.’’
As has been wisely put, ``Racing is inextricably linked to betting and there is an element of suspicion about almost every single day. Punters who lay bets and which don't work out according to their opinion feel that bracketing is a suitable option.’’
What is racing without its mix of pitfalls, thrills and spills. Like in life, there is an element of skill and deceit involved. Without these elements, racing could be plain boring.
The rules of racing are elaborate to tackle any infraction. There are professional Stipendiary Stewards and an elected board of Stewards. What has failed us is the system. If we still think that bracketing system can eliminate all undesirable practices; it can only be a wishful thinking.
If racing has to be regulated at every level, with suspicion as the guiding factor, then we might as well close down racing. Such a sport then does not deserve to exist.
Beloved Sharan Kumar
ReplyDeletewishing you a very happy and prosperous 2011
cheers
easwaran
Bengalooru