Quick poll, do you believe that some South African horse races are fixed?

Titch Wrote:

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> magiclips Wrote:
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> > Actually I think it was two years later...
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> Yip...that it was...Bert Abbo rode I think??

Correct.

Magic I am in no way suggesting forcing trainers and owners on to top jocks. Its probably more about the dissemination of info from stables and the negative percetions as a result of a lack of info that I am attacking but that is another debate.

The Casino anology works if a croupier colludes with a punter and betters the punters chance of winning big money. This happens. Effectively my point is that one punter whether they be colluding in casinos or owners punting the long odds as a result of a deliberate act to deceive the punting public (putting on a lesser known or fancied jockey on a horse with an above average chance) is advantaged over the rest. The question is, is this a level punting field? Short answer is no. Next thought is, does this do racings image any good?

I can hear the owners thoughts."We spend bombs on our horses we should be entitled to the best punting odds". Reverese that thought and the punter could be saying "We spend 70% (not an accurate figure just a guess on those sat daily in the totes around SA may spend) of household income on racing, we should be entitled to stakes!" Its a ludicrous thought in reverse isn't it?

So you are still arguing that an owner has a moral obligation to use Marcus or Strydom (if available) on a fancied horse? I'm all for providing punters with as much info as possible, but it is inevitable that owning the horse can give one an edge - and that obviously must include who gets the ride. There is nothing intrinsically wrong with choosing the jockey of your preference, for whatever reason.

Next thing we'll be arguing that a bank's clients should get a key to the vault.

Nope I am not arguing that point, I am saying disseminate the info and don't deliberately setout to deceive the public for self serving interest and gain. Now and in the long run racing will be perceived as a game for insiders and little to no chance of winning for new entrants unless on a lucky number, colour of a horse or any other Mug method.

It does not take much to verify this fact. One just has to stand in the lines on July day, whether it be in tent town or at the tote windows under the grandstand and listen to the groanings and outsiders (mugs) perception of racing. It's a game for industry insiders not an intelligent bet or game of skill.

Not exactly condusive to a flood of new business. In fact it has the opposite effect

I am going to respond by opening a new thread ,as we have moved off the specific point of fixed races which is too limited a subject anyway.