Betting should revert to $1 per ticket

SEVERAL years ago, under the watch of ex-chief executive officer Chris Armond, the Arima Race Club raised bets from $1 to $2 and introduced the win, place and show system. For some time now, this win, place and show betting have been done away with but bets remain $2 per ticket, and dividends are calculated in accordance. ARC president Gerard Ferreira and his executive are feverishly looking for ways and means to attract more turfites to racing.

They have done a commendable job to date, getting several new sponsorship deals for their racing programmes. These sponsors have chipped in with many giveaways including the “lucky losers draw.” But for the life of me, they have not seen it fit to reduce bets back to $1 on tote, exacta, trifecta wagering, similarly to the Superfect which has stood the test of times.. Ferreira has made bold his intention to turn Santa Rosa Park into the racing hub of the Caribbean, and provide entertainment for the whole family with added attractions. Since we do not have the win, place and show system anymore, reduction of  bets to $1 will surely help to bolster betting on race days.

This should encourage a greater volume of betting, especially since most turfites from Port-of-Spain in particular without a car of their own, must pay taxi fare to Arima proper then board another “ferry” into the race track, meaning with the purchase of a programme for another $5, they begin the day minus approximately $20, and it is even higher for those coming from South. Another thing which could be tried out, if only for a short period, is to have activity on the in-field like it used to be at the Queen’s Park Savannah. Perhaps with the charge of a nominal fee, we can have “lucky seven” and the turntable game where patrons won teacup and saucers and the likes, and also have the selling of bread and pudding and that coloured lemonade in centre field. After all, at Epssom Downs and Ascot in England, there are centre field activity of some kind, why not here.