SPORT

My dear old dad first introduced me to the punt back in 1963 , when he took his 13-year-old son to the red-hots at Harold Park Paceway to see the great Cardigan Bay in the flesh .

Can ’ t remember the name of the race , but the Kiwi champion started further back than Walla Walla yet stormed around the field on the last lap to get the bikkies ahead of a top-class field .

Dad did the punting that night – I think his only win was putting four bob on Old Cardy at long odds on – just to savour

In my days as a young jockey , this photo , taken by my brother , Chico , who was hiding behind a bale of hay , shows how angry punters get when the horse they backed gets beaten .

a winning bet . It was only when I joined the Daily Mirror as a copyboy on March 8 , 1968 , that I truly learned about having a punt !

Everyone on the Mirror sports staff bet – all the racing writers , which included Tommy Brassel , Ken Callander , John Holloway , Harry Pearce , Jeff Collerson and a man who loved a bet more than a bonk – Bill “ Blue Gum ” Mordey .

My punting preference was for the thoroughbreds and my first few years as a young journo were spent on the Mirror Sport and then Sportsman racing staffs . I had to go to the races , which thankfully back then were only on the Saturday and Wednesday city meetings and at the provincials on a Thursday .

So t ’ was impossible to give the punt a rest !

Many ’ s the times I got on track , determined not to throw the rent money the way of the bookies , when I just had to dip into my kick after getting a bit of “ oil ” from a trainer ,

jockey or just an urger .

As you mature of course , off goes the pumpkin and on comes a head , and these days , my betting is confined to Saturday afternoons or if I spot one of my Blackbookers racing on another day .

During my formative years on the punt , the general public ’ s betting was restricted to the gallops , trots and dogs .

Of course , if you were really desperate you could find a game of cards , a two-up ring , an illegal casino or a couple of flies climbing up a wall .

Which finally brings me to what gets my goat .

And that is how State and Federal governments have allowed betting to become a cancer .

And talking of cancer – lung in particular - it was one the main reasons why a national ban on cigarette advertising became law on September 1 , 1976 .

Saving the lives of a multitude of folk who believed smoking wasn ’ t good for your health !

Also is not good for your wellbeing is doing your dosh on the punt .

With the advent of growing number of betting agencies in Australia - there ’ s 84 at last count – punting is on the rise , as is the number of people with the backside out of their pants .

Making a major contribution to this punting pandemic is advertising .

Crikey , I reckon a big percentage of television channels ’ advertising revenue comes from betting agencies . So ,

methinks it is high time governments around the country banned betting advertising . Those bloody ads ! Each , and every one of the advertisements shows people winning , clapping each other on the back and waving winning tickets – not a loser to be seen ! Mmm ! Just had a thought ! What about producing advertisements showing people blowing up when their selection loses , when they get home and tell his or her better half that the renttucker-electricity bill money has gone down the gurgler .

Or watch a child eating a stale bread and dripping sandwich because there ’ s no other tucker in the house – mum and / or dad knocked off the grocery money on the punt !

Oh yes ! And ban betting agencies from putting their names on sporting venues .

The Brisbane , Cronulla and Panthers ’ stadiums are all named after betting agencies .

Fair dinkum , old Penrith Park has had more name changes than the number of times Donald Chump has tucked into a Big Mac .

Slight exaggeration !

EMBASSY looked the goods in showing plenty of toe and fight in winning 1050m trial at Randwick on April 15 . Promising youngster set for successful autumn .

SHAMROCK SALLY was never off the bit in running 3 rd in 1050m in smart time at Randwick on April 15 . Lightly raced and showing vast improvement .

REGAL HARMONY showed abundant speed and was never off the bit when second in fast run 1050m trial at Randwick on April 15 . Unraced American Pharoah 4YO mare ready to show up early in campaign .

CHOICE LEGEND is out of the Les Bridge yard and there was a lot to like about her easy 6 th in 737m trial at Randwick on April 15 . The old maestro looks set to produce another winner .

SHANGRI LA SPRING looks set for a successful debut this autumn going on her effortless 737m trial win at Randwick on April 17 . Showed ton of speed and kicked strongly when asked final stages .

BLUE TONGUE had tongues wagging when never at any stage knocked about in finishing fifth behind Shangri La Spring . Don ’ t let this 2YO debutant get under your guard .

Email us today @ info @ hdinews . com . au

Put SUBSCRIBE in the subject line and we will add you to our digital mail out list !

Links to our online editions plus news , giveaways and more !

TO OUR DIGITAL EDITION

Team

22 ISSUE 38 // MAY 2024 theindependentmagazine . com . au BLACKTOWN CITY INDEPENDENT