Australian Simulcasts Postponed Until 1994

Simulcast wagering between Hollywood Park and Australia has been postponed until next year because of a California Horse Racing Board decision that simulcast races from Australia must be worth at least $100,000.

‘We’re very pleased with our experience last Friday night, because it showed great potential for this international simulcasting program, even though we couldn’t offer wagering on the Australian race here,” said R.D. Hubbard, chairman of Hollywood Park. “However, the CHRB decision makes it difficult to proceed at this time. Time just doesn’t allow us to work out accords with Australian racing clubs conducting $100,000 races during the next five to six weeks.”

About $325,000 was wagered on the three Hollywood Park races simulcast in Australia on Friday.

“The Australian simulcast exchange was approved by CHRB unanimously and enthusiastically in April,” Hubbard said. “We left that meeting with the impression that the state regulations (requiring races be worth $100,000) pertained to inter-state, not international, simulcasting, and we still believe this is the proper interpretation.

“However, we will defer to the board’s latest interpretation for the time being and work to change the regulations so they are clear, responsive to today’s needs and technological advances, and in the best interests of racing.”