Balaklava the joke of Australian racing after latest mishap
2016 has been an indifferent year in which many would like to forget, especially South Australian race track officials at Balaklava, which made its third serious blunder on Wednesday.
The struggling club made headlines again on Wednesday after a sprinkler malfunction caused the track to race at three different track ratings.
Track update – Balaklava 30/11/16 – A number of areas between the 1300 and 1100 are rated a Heavy 8 – Due to a sprinkler malfunction – 1/3
— TRSA Stewards (@TRSAStewards) November 30, 2016
You heard it! The Wednesday meeting at Balaklava has been listed as a heavy track with many online bookmakers, but the heavy surface only covers a part of the track.
The heavy track is only in play from the 1300m to the 1100m, with the chute from the 1055m to the course proper rating a Firm 2.
The rest of the track running on a Good 3 surface, which couldn’t be more frustrating for unsuspecting punters.
So thecurator at @BalaklavaRacing sends through his rating before 7.30am this morning obviously without actually having a look at the track
— Adam Mintz (@adammintz1) November 30, 2016
South Australian stewards decided not to cancel the eight-race program and instead effectively mislead punters having a bet on Wednesday.
We can forgive the sprinkler malfunction and put that down to bad luck, but we can’t forgive stewards making the decision to run on a track with three different track ratings.
Not only do trainers and owners have to put their horses through mixed conditions, but punters have no idea what to expect on what can only be described as a ‘pot luck’ meeting.
BREAKING NEWS: Clerk of the course spills Pepsi Max on track. Balaklava downgraded to Heavy10
— Lachlan Mosley BBR (@BlackBookRacing) November 30, 2016
This latest incident continues a disturbing trend for Balaklava in what has been a year to forget.
In May, stewards shortened the distance of a race from 1200m to 1050m just 20 minutes before the start time, which is vital information for punters making their bets.
It also reduced the Balaclava Cup from 1600m to 1300m on race day, despite some punters having already placed bets on what they thought was a 1600m race.
What should punters do?
If you had a bet at Balaklava on Wednesday and you weren’t aware of the change in track conditions, then we feel sorry for you.
You have been mislead by an incompetent race club which clearly has no sympathy for the punters that keep this industry running.
Fancy placing a bet on a track which has three different track ratings? Or placing a bet on a 1600m race, only for it to be changed in distance just 20 minutes before the jump.
Do punters get their money back? On occasion, bookmakers such as CrownBet.com.au and Sportsbet.com.au have refunded punters which were duped out of their bet, but punters shouldn’t rely on that goodwill.
Race clubs need to be more transparent with their information as there is serious money at stake. Punters can place bets in the days leading up to the race, so when there’s a drastic change in conditions or distance, there needs to be a rule where punters can opt out of their bet.
There wouldn’t be many punters confident about betting at Balaklava on Wednesday. It’s a race club which needs a major overhaul, otherwise the punters will lose interest and money.