MY CALL - SHOCKING OVER-REACTION TO LIVE ODDS SPORTS BETTING

By David Fowler | Tuesday, May 21, 2013

David Fowler is the principal thoroughbred caller for Radio TAB. David, who is a keen form student and punter, has enjoyed a lifetime involvement in the racing media. His personal blog, ‘My Call’, appears exclusively on HRO.

South Australia rarely set a trend but their lead in banning live odds sport betting is a shocking over-reaction.

But there is little doubt in the present hyped-up environment that other states will follow.

Parliamentary inquiries, the Tom Waterhouse factor, Four Corners Monday night's program and plenty of sanctimonious tub thumping has seen live odds sports betting and advertising whipped into a fear worse than the plague.

Give me a spell!

I'm still far from convinced, like many, that live odds betting reports and sports betting advertising in general, influences children to become gamblers.

I'm still far from convinced, like many, that this hysteria is not borne out of hidden agendas and hatreds for the Waterhouse family.

Whether it's Tom, Gai, Robbie or Bill, plenty like to dish out their venom, particularly the "twitter twits".

I wonder if these twitterers appreciate how transparent their characters become when one reads their constant bile. It's quite sad.

Yes, the live odds onslaught needs to be tempered and tweaked but a total ban is unnecessary.

As I said South Australia rarely set a trend and, when they do, be wary.

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Am I missing something about Deagon racetrack?

Here is a perfectly suitable track, accessible to all parts of south-east Queensland, only used by a handful of trainers for track-work and the staging of barrier trials once or twice a month.

Deagon would be an ideal midweek venue, similar to Canterbury or Sandown, which would take much needed pressure off Eagle Farm and Doomben.

Sure, money would have to be spent on infrastructure such as judging area, broadcasting, photo finish etc but it's not megabucks.

My mail is a September picnic meeting has been given the green light.

Hopefully it will be a good test case with a view to the future.

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The Your Song BTC Cup romp is still a fascinating talking point.

Was he simply a wet track wizard on the day or is he the brightest star only to be shining for a short time (retirement after Stradbroke)?

The question should be answered in the Doomben 10,000 this weekend with a bigger field, firmer surface and a few quality extras added.

One of those extras is Epaulette who I expect to run boldly, particularly as he is most effective when fresh.

Rain Affair and Buffering may have been unsuited by the Eagle Farm track but they still need to really turn it around on the weekend.

With a capacity field, it will spearhead another great day of Group and Listed racing.

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Dear Demi and Gondokoro are shaping for a great rematch in the Oaks after their Roses quinella last Saturday.

I thought the protest would be upheld, but it wasn't, but I fancy Gondokoro will exact revenge across the road at Eagle Farm in 10 days.

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Nothing is jumping off the page in the two-year-old department.

Missy Longstocking would have to be considered a legitimate risk past 1200m yet she ran a second faster in the Lancaster than Sir Moments did in the Dalrello.

Presently the answer is a pineapple.

Until next week.

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