I may be in a 'grass is always greener on the other side' situation but I like the sound of bookies. The fact that I could lock in a bet at odds sounds fantastic to me. There are things you can do with that you simply can't do here (North America).

Being a math nut I have a few papers on mathematical strategies at the track but, wouldn't you know it, they all apply to Australia.

On the other hand, your race tracks sound more 'serious'. As I understand it, the minimum bet through bookies is in the hundreds. It seems to me this would generate less of the social, almost family-oriented atmosphere you see at tracks here. Having not actually been at an Australian racetrack I haven't a clue so take that with a grain of salt.

If there's one thing I do enjoy about y'all (that's more American than it is Canadian) it's the intelligent, social atmosphere of this forum. Thanks, all, from Canada for your insights, information and good humour, eh (now THAT'S Canadian)!

-Duck