ILLEGAL bookmakers were facing a multi-million dollar payout last night following the successful manipulation of the weak Macau Jockey Club totalisator at Taipa writes Robin Parke. And an MJC internal inquiry will focus on when and where $600,000 was dumped on the tote as the second event was due to start. Betting for the Class Five handicap had been dominated by Benison, ridden by Australian Colin Dean and trained by Charles Leck. When the 12-runner field jumped, Benison was the 2-1 favourite but as the field was running the three-year-old New Zealand import blew to 15-1. Benison won by two and a half lengths, pulling up in the 1,200-metre event. The 11 runners outside Benison are understood to each have been backed for at least $50,000. The inquiry will centre round the exact time the money was bet but there is nothing illegal in rigging a tote - as long as it is done before the race begins.
