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It is not surprising that the biggest news Hong Kong makes on the international scene inevitably concerns betting turnover or racing skulduggery.

 The on-going ICAC investigation has had television stations around the world tuning in, with Australia, in particular, having an avid interest.

 And Saturday's Triple Trio carryover of $198 million, ensuring a massive turnover on the final day of the season that might even reach $500 million, has news agencies plus television and radio stations around the globe buzzing.

 Despite the very real steps made to improve the standard of racing in Hong Kong through the much higher quality of bloodstock imported - particularly in the griffin ranks - it seems to be cash and conniving that keeps the rest of the racing world interested in the territory's racing industry.

 Well, let's not worry about it - particularly as the Triple Trio is the biggest single success story in the history of betting on Thoroughbreds.

 That is a major statement but I would suggest it is hard to dispute.

 A few years ago the Jockey Club's target was to achieve a billion-dollar turnover on a single race meeting. The then director of betting, Warren Wilson, said it could and would eventually happen but the statement was greeted with polite scepticism.

 Billion-dollar daily turnovers are now routine and it is possible that half of this massive figure could be achieved in Sunday's final Triple Trio of the season.

 The bet is a show-stopper. It has the magic ingredient that makes it completely alluring even to those who have no interest in horse racing. For a modest outlay it is possible to achieve wealth beyond those wildest dreams - and certainly much more than virtually any Hong Kong citizen will earn in a lifetime's work.

 In Britain the National Lottery has ensnared the population to such an extent that dire warnings have been issued from doctors, psychologists and the like as to its dangers. Too much money being spent, the addiction factor and people's lives revolving around the twice-weekly draw.

 In Hong Kong it remains basically a 'fun' bet for the vast majority of those who take part - and it has an undeniable skill element totally removed from any form of lottery.

 There is probably as much time given over to Triple Trio post-mortem discussions as there is to actually working out the form for the bet itself. 'We could have had him in . . . that one wasn't impossible . . . the last run was not that bad . . . we should have taken more account of the ground, etc. etc.'  Ultimately, the bet is a huge winner and, in these concluding days of the season, a massive help to the Jockey Club as far as revenue and, more importantly, attendances are concerned.

 There will not be a seat in the place at Sha Tin on Sunday and that must surely give the Jockey Club hierarchy something to think about.

 There should be more incentives for people to attend our racecourses and the surest way is to make the prospect of winning big money the lure. Those who take their racing and Triple Trio more seriously will always wait as late as possible before betting.

 The reasons are obvious: last minute alterations to the state of the track, a final check on just how well horses are looking in the paddock, even possible riding changes all come into the equation.

 Next season it might prove fruitful for the Jockey Club to amend or introduce variations to existing bet types with the emphasis placed on incentives to those who actually attend race meetings. It may not sound particularly democratic by giving on-course patrons an edge over those who frequent OCBs but it's something with which one can live.

 One immediate suggestion would be the complete ditching of the Five Win Bonus for the Six Up. This always produces a paltry dividend and merely takes some money from the overall pool - to the ultimate benefit of virtually no one.

 The Six Up has always been a popular punting medium and our betting gurus, who came up with the Triple Trio, should turn their inventive minds to adding more incentives to this one.

 What is required is a Six Up turnover jackpot situation that holds out the hope or chance of really big money on a regular basis.

 The Triple Trio will not always produce the massive turnover of Saturday but can be relied upon on a number of occasions in any given season.

 Turning attention to the Six Up and making it even more attractive could give an interesting and regular alternative to the Triple Trio as an attention-grabber.

 The Triple Trio will remain the most alluring of bets and the Jockey Club, or more specifically its betting division, can take justifiable pride in its huge success. Roll on Sunday . . .

There will clearly be much tighter control of apprentices next season with the decision taken not to have them indentured to specific trainers. In future the Jockey Club will control their destinies.

 Given recent events, the Club's concern is obvious but the latest rules give some cause for thought.

 In the past some trainers have fobbed off attempts to have their claimers reduced to the riding ranks and generally been protective of them. The most obvious example was Simon H. K. Yim who had no success whatsoever in his first couple of seasons and was destined for a riding boy's job but for the perseverance of Patrick Biancone.

 Such situations may arise again. Trainers who work with these lads every day know their capabilities. Some may be slow learners, others may never be good enough - but it must be hoped that those who ultimately decide on the lads' futures will seek the opinions and advice of trainers who work with them regularly.



TT jackpot sparks global media frenzy