95

SECTION S.—BRACKETING 251. The term "bracketing" means the coupling of two or more horses under one number to the end that, for the purpose of betting on the totalizator, they are deemed to be one horse. In effect, this means that where a ticket is purchased on a bracket the investor has at least two, and sometimes three or more, horses running for him. At the present time the racing (that is, galloping) clubs bracket — (a) All horses owned by the same owner. (b) Every horse in which a joint interest exists, including the joint interest attributed to the husband and wife relationship, except that a horse leased for the whole of its racing career which is nominated in the name of the lessee during the term of the lease need not be bracketed with any other horse leased from the same breeder if the president so directs. 252. The trotting authorities bracket not only those horses which are owned wholly or partly by the same owner, but also a number of others. They bracket — (a) Those horses which are trained by the same trainer. (b) Horses trained by different trainers in the same stable unless the stewards otherwise order : Provided, however, that a bracket is not required in the case of a visiting trainer temporarily using for a period not exceeding three weeks the stable of another trainer. (c) Horses which are owned separately by husband and wife. (d) Horses in which members of the same family have any interest, except in the case of members of the same family having separate households. (e) Any other horses which the stewards shall order to be bracketed. 253. As the primary essential in racing is the maintenance of public confidence, it is recommended that the rules of the Trotting Conference with respect to bracketing should be adopted by the Racing Conference. There is an ineradicable conviction current amongst members of the public that trainers with two horses in a race, if they do not actually know, must have a very fair idea which of the two is the better, and sowhich of the two is likely to win. It is, in part, this exclusive knowledge which lies at the root of the system of bracketing except in so far as the adoption of that system is rendered necessary by the number of starters exceeding the numbers available on the face of the totalizator. The system finds its justification, too, in that it precludes an owner from securing a personal advantage by arranging which of his horses is to win. That kind of arrangement can equally well be made when horses are trained by the same trainer or are owned by members of the same family all living together, and that contingency should be guarded against by bracketing.