Betfair held $250k on race
By Ray Thomas
March 13, 2006
THE controversial Gosford race which led to a high-profile Sydney owner and punter becoming the first ever to be charged for betting with Betfair had matched bets totalling nearly $250,000 on the betting exchange, The Daily Telegraph has learned.
Racing NSW chief steward Ray Murrihy yesterday defended his panel's decision to charge owner Eddie Hayson for backing his horse Flying Song to win the Gosford race with Betfair, explaining stewards had to investigate after discovering the huge volume of bets.
Murrihy said a similar class midweek race at Gosford that Flying Song contested would usually attract no more than $20,000 in bets through Betfair, while the NSW TAB would hold on average about $100,000.
Murrihy revealed there were matched bets on Betfair totalling more than $230,000 on the Flying Song race.
"Stewards were initially inquiring into the ride and although they are now satisfied with the integrity of the race, in the course of their inquiries they have come across the betting information," Murrihy said.
Murrihy said that the rules of racing prevent any owner from backing his horse with a betting exchange.
Hayson told stewards he supported Flying Song at Gosford, his bets placed with Betfair through commission agent Steve Fletcher.
Flying Song started at $1.70 favourite but was beaten by Down The Wicket.
"The rule bans owners from betting on their horses with a betting exchange," Murrihy said.
"I should point out that up until February 7 when Betfair was licensed in Tasmania, there was a blanket ban on anyone in Australia betting with a betting exchange."
Stewards charged Hayson last Friday but he reserved his plea and requested legal advice. The matter has been adjourned to a date to be fixed.Betfair's Corporate and Business Affairs director Andrew Twaits is wondering what all the fuss is about, pointing out that all Hayson has done is back his horse to win the race.
"There is no valid reason why owners should be prevented from backing their horses on Betfair or with any other licensed wagering operator," Twaits said.
"They should be able to access the best odds on offer across all licensed wagering operators.
"This is just another example of certain racing administrators trying to preserve monopolies to the ultimate detriment of punters and owners.
"At least when they back their horses on Betfair, stewards have a full audit trail of the bets."
Murrihy said stewards are currently hamstrung when trying to follow the betting trail with betting exchanges.
"The only way we can follow that trail at the moment is by asking questions," Murrihy said.
The Daily Telegraph
By Ray Thomas
March 13, 2006
THE controversial Gosford race which led to a high-profile Sydney owner and punter becoming the first ever to be charged for betting with Betfair had matched bets totalling nearly $250,000 on the betting exchange, The Daily Telegraph has learned.
Racing NSW chief steward Ray Murrihy yesterday defended his panel's decision to charge owner Eddie Hayson for backing his horse Flying Song to win the Gosford race with Betfair, explaining stewards had to investigate after discovering the huge volume of bets.
Murrihy said a similar class midweek race at Gosford that Flying Song contested would usually attract no more than $20,000 in bets through Betfair, while the NSW TAB would hold on average about $100,000.
Murrihy revealed there were matched bets on Betfair totalling more than $230,000 on the Flying Song race.
"Stewards were initially inquiring into the ride and although they are now satisfied with the integrity of the race, in the course of their inquiries they have come across the betting information," Murrihy said.
Murrihy said that the rules of racing prevent any owner from backing his horse with a betting exchange.
Hayson told stewards he supported Flying Song at Gosford, his bets placed with Betfair through commission agent Steve Fletcher.
Flying Song started at $1.70 favourite but was beaten by Down The Wicket.
"The rule bans owners from betting on their horses with a betting exchange," Murrihy said.
"I should point out that up until February 7 when Betfair was licensed in Tasmania, there was a blanket ban on anyone in Australia betting with a betting exchange."
Stewards charged Hayson last Friday but he reserved his plea and requested legal advice. The matter has been adjourned to a date to be fixed.Betfair's Corporate and Business Affairs director Andrew Twaits is wondering what all the fuss is about, pointing out that all Hayson has done is back his horse to win the race.
"There is no valid reason why owners should be prevented from backing their horses on Betfair or with any other licensed wagering operator," Twaits said.
"They should be able to access the best odds on offer across all licensed wagering operators.
"This is just another example of certain racing administrators trying to preserve monopolies to the ultimate detriment of punters and owners.
"At least when they back their horses on Betfair, stewards have a full audit trail of the bets."
Murrihy said stewards are currently hamstrung when trying to follow the betting trail with betting exchanges.
"The only way we can follow that trail at the moment is by asking questions," Murrihy said.
The Daily Telegraph
