Missing punter tells friend of addiction 'like heroin'

By GREGG WYCHERLEY and NZPA

Graham Bruton, the high-flying punter who allegedly reneged on a bet leaving the TAB a debt of $20,000 and forcing the closure of a sub-agency, has gone to ground.

Even his wife, Meysan, says she does not know where he is.

She returned home from work last Tuesday to find him unexpectedly gone, along with some of his clothes.

There have been reports that Mr Bruton, nicknamed "Steel Balls" for his fearless betting style, is in Singapore.

But a close friend, Dennis Price, said he had been in e-mail contact with him over the last few days, and did not think he was that far away.

Mr Price said his friend regretted running off.

"He told me his addiction had become like a heroin addiction."

Mr Price believed Mr Bruton would repay the money, because he always had in the past.

"He's an honourable person who goes off the rails from time to time."

Mr Bruton is also a majority owner of star trotter Lyell Creek, and Harness Racing New Zealand is investigating whether there are implications for the rest of the syndicate.

Mr Bruton's troubles began when the Red and Black Tavern in Christchurch extended him $20,000 in credit to back Australia over South Africa in a one-day cricket match last week at a dividend of $1.40.

Australia lost the game, Mr Bruton did not pay the tavern and the TAB withdrew its sub-agency from the hotel. This was despite an offer from the hotel's owner to pay back the money.

TAB spokesman Joe Locke said the agency had been closed because it had breached TAB rules and the Racing Act in extending credit to Mr Bruton.

"There was a serious breach of TAB rules. Credit betting is something we take very seriously.

"All our agents know this and it's spelled out clearly to them ... if we find out that it's happening, we act."

Harness Racing New Zealand general manager Edward Rennell said Mr Bruton owned a 69 per cent share in Lyell Creek. The horse's regular driver, Anthony Butt, owned a further 25 per cent, and a syndicate opened to the public last year held the balance.

Mr Rennell said the inquiry was mainly for the sake of the syndicate.

"As I understand it there is no problem. There is a separate bank account maintained for the horse that is under control of the Butt stable. All expenses are paid out of that."

Mr Rennell said the connections of Lyell Creek were in the fortunate position where the horse had earned more than it had cost to race him.

"Their only exposure is if the horse didn't earn his expenses."

Lyell Creek is in the United States and is nearing the beginning of a new campaign.

Mr Rennell said there was no problem with Mr Bruton's being an owner "unless criminal action is taken".

- NZPA