Computer crash disrupts race day
A COMPUTER crash at the Jockey Club caused widespread disruptions yesterday, with events at Happy Valley delayed and punters unable to bet at the track or from scores of off-course betting centres.
In the second technology breakdown to hit the club in just over a month, a series of computer systems collapsed nine minutes before the first race, leaving many punters unable to place last-minute bets. The start of Race Two was delayed by 45 minutes while the problem was fixed.
During the breakdown, punters at Happy Valley were unable to place bets; about half of the Jockey Club's 125 off-course betting centres were also hit.
Club chief executive Lawrence Wong said: 'The Club extends its apologies to all those affected by this afternoon's suspension and thanks the customers for their patience . . . '
Media communications manager Mark Tung Yin-kwun said the electronic shroff card system, used by regular gamblers to store bets, went down first. This had a knock-on effect, and counter betting at Happy Valley, all Hong Kong Island betting shops and several in Kowloon was suspended.
Gamblers at the track complained they had been unable to bet on the first event and were upset by the lengthy delay to the rest of the meeting.
Long queues were seen at a Wan Chai betting shop where the computer system was paralysed: 'How come the computer can break down so easily? I knew I would win but I now cannot make the bet,' one man said.
The 50-minute halt to betting was believed to have been the longest computer-driven interruption to a racing event in Jockey Club history.
'Something like this is extremely rare,' Mr Tung said. 'I've never seen a delay as long as this . . . '
Mr Tung said it was not immediately clear what had sent the initial system crashing. He said the Telebet service and cross-betting from the Sha Tin Racecourse were not affected.
Last month, one of the most eagerly awaited Mark Six draws in years was disrupted when a computer system crashed, leaving the Jockey Club unable to announce whether any winners had shared in the $90 million jackpot.
Almost five hours after the winning numbers were drawn, the club was forced to issue a statement saying the announcement of the prizes would be delayed until the following morning because of a 'technical problem in one of the computer systems'. The announcement is normally made within minutes of the numbers being drawn.
It turned out that no one had won the first-division prize. The club was unable to explain what had gone wrong the night before.
Turnover for Race One yesterday - at just under $61 million - was slightly down on the usual average of between $60 million and $70 million. Bets worth more than $86 million were placed on Race Two, which usually has a turnover of between $80 million and $90 million.
Computers were working again by 1.41pm, giving punters slightly longer than usual to place bets on the second race before the new start time of 2.15pm. All later races were also delayed, with the last event - due to start at 5.35pm - put back until 6.20pm.
