INCREASED STAKES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 32, 8 February 1939, Page 18

INCREASED STAKES.

CAJrXXKBUAT JOCMT CIATB. (By Telegraph.—Special to "Star.") CHKISTCHURCH, thin day. The programme for the two day* of the autumn meeting was approved to-day by the committee of the Canterbury Jockey Club. The stakes have been increased by £250, this extra amount compared with last year being divided between three races. The Sockburn Handicap, nine furlongs on the first day, has been raised from £400 to £500 to provide another adequate attraction besides the Great Autumn Handicap for stayers. Similarly the ; Tenvpleton Handicap, ■. six furlongs on the second day, has gone up from £400 to £500 to make a worthy complement for the sprinter* after. the Great Easter Handicap. The other alteration in the stake* Is in the Addington Handicap, nine furlongs, on the second day, which has been increased from £300 to £350. The Autumn Plate (formerly the Autumn Champion Plate), a mile handicap on the first day, is worth £425, including silver plate, value £25, so that there are now two valuable races for staying hacks. The increased prize money has been- allocated very wisely, and it should help materially to popularise the meeting with owners from outeide districts. The conditions of the Courtenay and the Yaldhurst Handicaps, of she and seven furlongs respectively, have been altered. formerly they were open to horaes that at the time of starting had not won a race of the value of £50 to the winner, but this year they will be restricted to maidens, subject to approval being given by the Minister of Internal Affairs and the New Zealand Racing Conference.

The Reefton Jockey Club has been granted permission by the Canterbury Jockey Club to'race at Riccartoa ea Baturda*. April 32.