Beijing shows how racing dies without betting

Racing in Beijing has shut down altogether after limping on badly for a year with the wounds of police crackdowns on 'guessing games' gambling to which blind eyes were once turned.

A year ago, the Beijing Tongshun Jockey Club was informed that it could race but not operate any of the minor gambling which had gone on for several years.

The club recessed early for the winter then returned but in a neutered form, with a reduced racing programme and on a sport-only basis.

Now, contrary to some Hong Kong newspaper reports as recently as two weeks ago - which vaguely quoted unidentified overseas racing websites as reporting that the Beijing Jockey Club had been granted a 12-month betting licence by the government - that particular dream has died.

Perhaps those involved would prefer to regard it as a coma, or, more pleasantly, as an Austin Powers-style cryogenic state from which it will awake with its mojo intact and working better than ever.

Participants have been told their presence is not required for the next 18 to 24 months, but that everything will kick off again at some future time and there will be jobs for everyone.

Not surprisingly, after more than six years of winks and nods that open betting is just around the corner and everyone would be rolling in money, that offer is being regarded with the suspicion it so richly deserves.