The Complete Racing Guide understands that fractional betting on certain wagers will be the new initiative by racing promoter, Caymanas Track Limited (CTL) as it seeks to increase sales on its horse racing product.

While there was no official confirmation by CTL, the talk is that punters will soon be able to purchase half-bets for the Pick-9, the Sunrise-6 and the Twlight-6. It was only last week that the minimum stake on these bets was increased from $5.00 to $10.00, representing a 100 per cent increase. If this new half-bet option is approved it would mean bettors can purchase the Pick-9, the Sunrise-6 and the Twlight-6 at the rate of $5.00 but would only receive half of the designated payout, the latter being calculated on the now official minimum stake of $10.00. It is not clear at this time if bets apart from the Pick-9, the Sunrise-6 and the Twlight-6 will benefit from this new half-bet betting option.

It is further understood that a key component for the introduction of this half-bet is the tote technology available to CTL. As a result, the company is in dialogue with its partners United Tote for the relevant technological changes to be made to accommodate the proposed half-bet.

Sales on the Super 6s, now called the Sunrise and Twilight – 6s and the Pick-9 recorded varying results on the first day of the increase. Sales on the Sunrise -6 was $2.2 million and the Twilight-6, $2.1, reflecting average returns for these two exotic wagers. The Pick-9 amount was $890,000, a lower than expected return for this wager, which is usually well over the $1 million mark.