THE COMING OF THE TOTALISATOR [To the Editor of the
SPECTATOR.]
Sin,—Mr. Marsham's contribution is full of interest as showing the actual experience of one who is thoroughly familiar with the subject. Paras. (1) and (2) [in which Mr. Marsham showed that the installation of a totalisator need not necessarily be so expensive or complicated as is sometimes thought] remove to a large extent two of my objections to the installation of the machine. Para. (3) [in which it was said that the introduction of a totalisator does not prevent a backer backing his fancy with the bookmakers at any time] appears to assume that bookmakers are also to be on courses. But the great object of the totalisator is, I have always understood, to eliminate that class and to substitute for it a mechanical device.
Mr. Marsham seems rather to miss the point of the objection that a " backer never knows how lie stands." It is of course quite easy to see what arc the approximate odds against your fancy when you take your ticket. But those odds have no bearing on the odds you will receive if your horse wins, and this is what you want to know. At all totalisators there will be found many observant seekers for information, and when an owner, trainer, or anyone likely to be followed with advantage takes a ticket a rush will follow on the same horse and auto- matically the odds shorten.
It is pleasant to read a well-informed and temperate letter on this subject in attractive contrast to a previous communi- cation from the gentleman whose experience is confined to New Zealand.—I am, Sir, &e., MINDEN.
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