Record July Day turnover

A RECORD Pick 6 pool of nearly R14 million gave a huge boost to tote betting on Saturday’s Vodacom Durban July at Greyville and total net tote turnover for the day was a record R127 million - an increase of 11.34% on 2013.

Pick 6 mania swept across South Africa on Saturday morning and boosted tote betting in its entirety.

The final total net Pick 6 pool including the R3-million carryover was R13,766,536 - a massive 207% increase on a year ago.

The pool excluding the carryover was R10.8 million, which was R6,3 million or 140% more than in 2013.

TAB and tabGOLD’s new bet, the BiPot, which was not in operation for the 2013 Vodacom Durban July, generated a pool of R740,782 (excluding a R50,000 carryover).

This did impact slightly on the Place Accumulator pool at Greyville on the day, which was R3.7 million or R100,000 less than a year ago. But the principal Jackpot pool of R2,3 million at Greyville on Saturday was R180,992 up on the previous year and the Vodacom Durban July itself generated the first R10-million Quartet pool in South African horseracing history, totalling a record R10,655,843!

“We are delighted with the turnovers accomplished,’’ said Vee Moodley, betting executive of horseracing and tote betting company Phumelela.

“The Pick 6 carryover and resultant record Pick 6 pool played a key role in driving interest in this year’s event. And the most pleasing aspect of all, is that it attracted new money, instead of simply drawing money away from other pools,’’ added Moodley.

“Total tote betting on the Vodacom Durban July was virtually flat on last year, but this was understandable in light of 16 runners as opposed to 20 last year. And the race did generate the first-ever R10-million Quartet pool in South Africa.’’