TOTE TAKEDOWN CERTAINLY PROVING FAVOURABLE FOR PUNTERS

Ian Fortune

It was wonderful news for regular Tote punters when Greyhound Racing Ireland made the decision to continue its low 12.5% Tote retention rate for Shelbourne Park on Saturday nights through December and January.

It was a real success during the Derby and it has certainly contributed to much more liquidity in the win and place markets during the trial period. It has allowed punters the opportunity to cash in on some real value with the majority of the win dividends paying better than the official starting price.

That hardly comes as a surprise given the fact that just 12.5% is coming out of the win and place pools. The returns for the last two Saturdays are clear evidence of the fact. On Saturday, November 30th, eight of the eleven winners paid better on the tote. In fact, a €1 wager on each of the eleven winners would have returned a profit of €71.90.

In contrast, a €1 wager on each of the winners at the official starting price would have returned a €49.92 profit.

It was a similar scenario a week later. On what was the second night of the Winter Racing Festival, eleven of the twelve winners were returned a bigger price on the Tote. A €1 wager on the Tote on each of the twelve winners would have returned a €41 profit, while the same on the official SP would have led to a €28.18 profit. 

Of course, for larger punters the on-course bookmakers are the only show in town but options are certainly greater for those not having as much on. It’s also worth pointing out that many of the winners over the two nights may have traded at bigger prices with the bookmakers at one point or another.

But that fact is, Tote punters will be greatly encouraged by the returns. One suspects the Saturday night turnover on the win and place pools will only grow.