TT top-ups can generate more betting interest
Rebates may have given a boost over the past couple of seasons to some pools, but with the Jockey Club needing to stir up more interest in its more exotic bet types, we wondered if there isn't some merit in an idea that has been suggested to this column.
And that is an extension of the Triple Trio top-ups which occur throughout the season to invigorate interest in the ultimate exotic bet type.
It is no secret that, while the rebates have been good for turnover generally, the rebates themselves eat into what the Jockey Club takes from win, place, quinella and quinella place betting pools in order to meet its bill with the government.
Is there a way to structure some kind of 'top-up' day where punters know there will be jackpots created in other super exotic pools like the Double Trios and/or the Six-Up, all day?
It's something that might work anytime, and there might be a better argument for preferring a major meeting or perhaps just to help those days after the bulk of the Group One racing has been completed and it gets more difficult to promote the game.
Seeing the benefit of the recent HK$1 million Double Trio jackpot generated naturally, how much more of a benefit might it be to seed a HK$2 million jackpot for each of the Double Trios on a day, or seed a jackpot in the Six Up? It isn't something to be wheeled out every week, just a special occasion that can be promoted that way.
Another question which has been asked of this column is why the Double Trio jackpot on any given day - and let's face it, they don't happen that often - must necessarily have to go to the same DT on another day. Is there an argument for rolling that first DT jackpot over into the very next DT on the same card?
