Quick Action! Phumelela’s Vee Moodley was quick to react
Drama unfolded in tote betting circles across South Africa this afternoon, as punters were left scratching their heads at a bolt from the blue surge in a single betting pool.
Something appeared very strange indeed after the running of the fifth race at Scottsville. The eight horse Fillies and Mares Graduation field had attracted a place pool that rocketed to R3 806 220.
That’s cause for concern if one considers that the Sunday local average is probably around R70 000 and the Met attracts a pool for the same bet of around R1, 6 million!
The impact on the payouts was evident with the Glen Kotzen runners paying R23, 10 and R9, 60 respectively. The second favourite Orange Blossom, who won the race, paid the guaranteed minimum to local punters of R1.
Phumelela Betting Executive Vee Moodley was just about to board a plane when alerted to the anomaly by Gauteng trainer Joe Soma.
All’s well that ends well!
With all to come bets and doubles running into the sixth race, Moodley leapt into action.
Speaking to the Sporting Post a few moments ago, Moodley explained what happened:
“I asked KZN Chairman Of Stipes Sean Parker to proceed with his all clear so that the result could go final, but then placed a hold on the payout to allow us time to investigate. We also delayed the next race to give the Auditors time to look at things. It transpired that two very large place bets were placed from Tabcorp in Australia on the top two horses in the betting. There was nothing irregular procedurally in this. On the flip side, astute punters may have noted the consequential extreme value on the other horses in the field as a result of this large bet,” he said.
Moodley’s prompt action and willingness to play open cards is commendable and he promised that an official press release would follow.
