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CHOOSE A SPORT
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Last Updated: Monday, 6 October, 2003, 07:05 GMT 08:05 UK
The punters' view
Tom Kelly
Regular betting shop customer

I saw most of the Panorama programme but to be frank, I didn't think much of it - I can't really remember much about it now.

It all seemed a bit wishy-washy and there didn't seem to be much hard evidence.

I bet three or four times a week before (Panorama) and I do exactly the same now - it certainly hasn't changed my betting habits.

Most punters are aware that there are a few bent people in racing but if anything, that gives it a bit of interest, something to gossip about.

I don't often go to the track but when I do, there is always some whisper about this horse being laid out for this race, or this horse getting an easy run.

And let's face it, if someone gave you a bit of inside knowledge, of course you're going to use it as it could make you a few quid - as far as I am concerned it is all part of the game.

It goes on in other sports like football and cricket - of course, it would be different if it really was widespread in racing but I can't believe it is.

I know people who work in stables and they love their horses. There is no way they would let them be nobbled just to make a few quid.

I don't really know what can be done to combat the corruption that there is - I think there are still probably too many dinosaurs at the Jockey Club to get things sorted.


Alan Terry
Only bets once or twice a year

I didn't see the Panorama programme. I remember hearing it was something about jockeys giving tips to betting people on their mobile phones and reading about how it rocked racing.

I don't think racing is inherently more corrupt than other sports or institutions - for example, there is corruption in football, cricket, politics and the police.

I assume it goes on in all sports and in racing it doesn't really bother me because I don't bet to make money and I don't believe every single race can be fixed.

I only bet on the Grand National and the Derby and I bet to have a laugh - if my chances of beating the bookies are reduced by 5%, then it doesn't really make much difference.

In terms of how capable racing is of shaking things up and sorting it out, I can think of a more modern-looking and reformist bunch of people than the Jockey Club.

I heard a lot about the corruption scandal but not much about what they're doing about it - banning jockeys from using mobile phones is not going to do much.

What it needs is for someone high-profile to get caught and to be kicked out of racing.

In football, there were some high-profile casualties and in cricket you had Hansie Cronje - it looked like something was being done about the corruption and the sport was being cleaned up. You don't have that in racing.


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