Hard hitters in the punting stakes

Was discussing some of the hard hitters of the past that were really big players with a mate of mine and names like Ronnie Hammer, Johnny Phatides,Roy Clack,Jaap Van Der Vendel,Derek Flynn,Durbans own "Bag Boys" and even our own Flash "Mad Mike" Harry were mentioned,
It seems those days are past us now,mainly because,imo bookmakers are no longer prepared to accommodate the big player or consistent winner....amazing that the size of bets that were struck 20 and even 30 years ago wont be considered by most bookmakers today...:S

Went to track a couple of times with Hans Eerenstien, Louis ( ex bookies ) and Jaap and you are right he liked a wee punt!!

Scotia I was discussing this exact subject with Louise last week he is off to visit his daughter in the US...Hans and Louise top class bookies spent many a Saturday afternoon with them at the Bosman Street Tatts in Pretoria

Louis is back from States we went for lunch Sunday from 13.00 to 20.00

.....Gr8 were the days when Jaap had horses with Cliffie Otto....had a non punting inside man in the stables....we got the graft on 1st timers....went to Loveday Str.....they were very short and always on top of the boards as the big man's money was down....took SP....and collected 9 out of 10 with the market leader on the drift.....

I also think that because of all the handicaps and all and sundry struggling with them big punting has faded away.
In the UK the big hitters target handicaps looking for the horse with a few pounds in hand.
I suppose a good example of a punt that could have been was Miss K last night winning clearly with a few pounds in hand.
Yet even with louis on here telling all she should win, she drifted...go figure

scotia Wrote:

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> Louis is back from States we went for lunch Sunday
> from 13.00 to 20.00

The really big hitters i meet are betting sport.
Went to lunch with a mate and 2 indian lads the other day and one of the indian lad had 200k on a tennis match @ 1.18
I nearly choked on my t bone when i heard him call the bet....

Do u remember brandy ball ?
Cliffy had to sleep with the horse the week before it ran

Lol

easy Wrote:

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> I also think that because of all the handicaps and
> all and sundry struggling with them big punting
> has faded away.
> In the UK the big hitters target handicaps looking
> for the horse with a few pounds in hand.
> I suppose a good example of a punt that could have
> been was Miss K last night winning clearly with a
> few pounds in hand.
> Yet even with louis on here telling all she should
> win, she drifted...go figure

The "few pound in hand" had a high element of risk.................how many pounds did it need on turf.................that was why the perceived value in the price IMO!

easy Wrote:

---

> The really big hitters i meet are betting sport.
> Went to lunch with a mate and 2 indian lads the
> other day and one of the indian lad had 200k on a
> tennis match @ 1.18
> I nearly choked on my t bone when i heard him call
> the bet....


Must have been a really big steak

R20k on a horse was normal in the early 70's - someone clever do the maths - how much would that be today?