Bookies’ conduct code not cracked
It was launched by Sports Minister John O’Donoghue, who first pulled government millions out of the hat for the next four years, starting in 2005, and then eased the code into smooth waters.
Brian Kavanagh spoke on behalf of HRI and David Power for the bookmakers.
We listened, nibbled at the little goodies on offer, sipped a drop of white wine and polished it off with some black coffee. It was all delightfully polite.
The code contained nothing in any way controversial and, basically, set out the manner in which the layers have to behave in the future.
By January 1, 2005 they will have to display just how much they are prepared to lay a horse to lose and whether they are willing to bet each-way.
Bookmakers will suffer no sleepless nights about that. Essentially, it will be as you were as far as most are concerned.
The fact, however, they all have to price their boards before the horses leave the parade ring is progress. We all know the boys in the ring who are going to feel uncomfortable having to behave themselves.
Betting shop punters - and after all it is they who now largely fund Irish racing - will benefit from that.
There will be no excuses for SIS failing to transmit the information back to the shops the minute prices appear on-track.
But don’t you just yearn for a proper code of conduct, you know one which has real bite?
For instance what’s to stop bookmakers displaying exactly to what percentage they are betting. In such circumstances, wouldn’t you just love to have gone looking at their boards for the bumper at Punchestown on Sunday.
I think we all accept that something around 120% is acceptable. They bet 184% in that bumper, to go with the 175% they enjoyed in two maiden hurdles earlier on.
The current code will be enforceable by HRI and that is, obviously, a step in the right direction.
But what about a code which ensures the over-round is displayed on all bookmakers’ boards. And, let’s go further, that anyone betting over say 130% is told by HRI “get your act together or stand down until the next contest”. Workable, I suppose, but unedifying!
Anyway, the press would still be willing to make their way dutifully to the suites for the updated code. No better boys to sip the wine and the coffee and plough our way through the nibbles. Methinks, however, we’ll be there on our own with not a bookmaker, HRI member or even the odd minister to be seen. Gas game entirely.
GREAT performance by everyone at Listowel last week to get through seven days.
On arrival at the track on Sunday morning, secretary, Brendan Daly, informed us that the weather had been very bad on the lead-up to the meeting. The ground the first day was soft to heavy.
I reckon it rained on five of the seven days, some of it particularly heavy. Yet, except for a blip on the opening afternoon, because of the covering on an exit road, I heard not one word of criticism about the surface. There was never a doubt about racing, never the notion that an inspection was necessary, quite remarkable.
Taking on seven days racing for any track is a huge undertaking and to complete such a programme, given the dismal weather for much of last week, was a fine achievement.
IT now appears that Grey Swallow is bang on target for Sunday’s Prix de L’Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp.
Dermot Weld reported the horse was a bit down after finishing fourth behind Azamour in the Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown and wouldn’t be making his way to Paris if he wasn’t very much back on song.
A place and half a length behind at Leopardstown was Rakti and that horse absolutely bolted in at Ascot on Saturday.
The form book tells us this looks far from a vintage Arc. A year ago, Vinnie Roe finished fourth for Weld and, over a mile and a half, just wouldn’t be in Grey Swallow’s class. I think we have got to be on each-way. The insurance policy first and the bonus after!
