RACING AND TROTTING

Press, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23379, 12 July 1941, Page 11

RACING AND TROTTING

RACING FIXTURES

iiS'?r«s Hu " ,ciub August I2T C l4rften h ter H C C j 1 ? August 2 tr kura ? ga Hunt Cl4 C ‘ S n ,K 2B T* Eg K? lont ' Wan g an ui Hunt N< ? w Plymouth). August 30—Taranaki Hunt Club. VROTTING FIXTURES Aug - 13, 15— N.Z. Metropolitan August 30—Auckland T.C. September 6 New Brighton T.C. September 13. 17—Wanganui T.C. September 18 20-Wellington T.C.

TURF GOSSIP

A Pleasing Gesture

In his annual address to the Racing Conference yesterday, Mr A. S. Elworthy stated that during the last season a number of New Zealand breeders offered to care for thoroughbred horses—either brood mares or young st9ck—from Great Britain for the duration of the war and a reasonable time- thereafter. On being advised of the position,. the . Jockey Club made the offer known by publication in the “Racing Calendar,” but probably transport difficulties prevented any interested English owners from taking advantage of it. Racing Conference Tribute Sincere regret at the deaths of Messrs George Gould, of Christchurch, and G. W. Vercoe, of South Auckland, two former members of the New Zealand Racing Conference, was expressed by the president, Mr A. S. Elworthy, in his address to the conference at the annual meeting in Wellington yesterday. Mr EJworthy said Messrs Gould and Vercoe were owners who. each took an active part in the affairs, of his local club/ He also referred to the deaths of Messrs L..G, Hill and J. B. Bairstow, racing club secretaries of long standing.

Change of Name

Permission has been granted by the executive committee of the Racing Conference to the Hurunui Hack Racing Club to change its name to the Hurunui Racing Club.

Time on Race Track The Racing Conference voted decisively against a remit reducing the time to 10 minutes before the apEointed starting time for ordering orses to Ihe post. The feeling was that country clubs would lose totalisator betting. Mr W. T. Hazlett (Southland) said that most persons were keen to see the horses. If they were not given that opportunity they might as well gamble on snails crossing a plate. In his report the chief stipendiary steward (Mr C. Corner) said that in many cases, the totalisators had been kept open too long, and much after the proper closing time.: This resulted in meetings finishing late, and also meant that horses and riders were kept on the courses for an undue length of time. Cases had secured in which the average times between horses leaving the bird-cage and returning thereto were as long as 35 minutes. A jockey having six rides in a day thus spent 3J hours on the track, during most of which he was leading his mount round. It was unfair, to both horses and riders. In spite of continued adverse reports on this question there had been little improvement. Altered Racing Dates ‘

Altered dates for South Island meetings in the new season, approved by the Racing Conference yesterday were: —Ashburton County Racing Club, November 29, instead of November 22; Otautau Racing Club, January 31, m lieu of March 28. Ten clubs applied for extra ur new days of racing, but the applications were not granted by the executive committee, as no spare days at which the totalisator might be used were available for allocation. late Banning of Events A warning that official action would be taken unless racing clubs took steps to deal with the late running of events was given by the president,■Mr A. S. Elwofthy, at the annual meeting of the New Zealand Racing Conference. He said the executive committee was concerned at this matter which became a serious one at winter fixtures, and steps should certainly be taken by offending clubs to prevent a repetition at future- meetings.

Schools lor Apprentices The success of the schools for apprentices at Hastings and Awapuni was mentioned by the president, Mr A. S. Elworthy, at the annual meeting of the New Zealand Racing Conference. He said that the executive committee had invited metropolitan clubs in other districts to consider starting similar schools at centres within their jurisdiction. There Were a number of most promising apprentice Jockeys riding at present. At Flemlngton Tp-fiay Although he has not raced over country, Cheery Jack is one of the favourites for the Grand National Steeplechase, of £2500, about three miles and a. furlong, to be run at Flemington to-day, when the Victoria Racing Club’s meeting will conclude. Handicapped at 12-7, Cheery Jack is not given a prohibitive weight for a firstclass jumper and stayer, but at the same time lack of experience at steeplechasing .may be against him. Others prominent in the discussion are Lockslea, Bridge of Dee, and Brigbtello. Lockslea won twice recently over country at Moonee Valley and in such convincing style that he immediately entered the front rank of favourites for the Flemington event, in which he has been rehandicapped from 9-4 to 9-8. Bridge of Dee was second to Lockslea in the Moonee Valley Steeples, and filled a similar position behind the improved Highland March <n the Royal Steeples at Flemington. Bridge of Dee was said to have been a little unlucky In being defeated by Lockslea, and in some quarters is considered a big possibility to-day. Final acceptors are;— Cheery Jack 12-7; Dark David 11-5; Brightello, National Debt, Grantley 10-10; Highland March 9-5: Tornarsuk 9-9; Lockslea 9-8: Baldasalr 9-7; St. Robert 9-6; Bridge of Dee 9-4; Sachem 9-2. " . Doomben Cup

A Brisbane message states that Beaulivre has been withdrawn from the Doomben Cup. Of 16 acceptors. Gold Salute is top-weight with 9-8. Others include Buzalong 8-12; High Rank (101b penalty) 8-3; Abspear 8-0; St. Andrew and Winnipeg 7-7. Doomben Newmarket -High Rank; winner of the Doomben Newmarket, last week, is a four-year-old by Chatham. His success was not generally . anticipated, but ms fom as a three-year-old last season indicated that he wps a useful galloper. In his first seven outings last term he won three times and was placed twice, but his form rather: slumped alter that. Two of his wins came in welter events, and the third in a novice handicap. He. was top-weight in each instance 'and had M. McCarten in the saddle, but,his weight prevented that horseman having the mount on Saturday.- . Successful Stimulant After an Inquiry into the administering of a drug to the gelding Samoan Clipper at the Perth course before the running of the Penguin Handicap on June 2. the West Australian Turf Club stewards found the jockey G. Phillips and the former apprentice V. W. West guilty of administering a stimulant. Phillips was disqualified for life, and West was warned off during the Pleasure of the stewards. The owners leesm Wj, G. Craig and S. Edwards,

SAFEGUARDING OF PERMITS

CLUBS UNABLE TO RACE EFFECT OF TAXES DISCUSSED (P.S.S.) WELLINGTON, July 11. Measures taken to safeguard the permits of racing clubs unable to hold meetings were outlined by Mr A. S. Elworthy in his presidential address to the New Zealand Racing Conference. He said that for the duration of the war it had been agreed that a change of venue should be granted only to a club whose racecourse was totally occupied by the military authorities or in the case of a national disaster putting the course out of order.

Mr Elworthy said that in other cases where clubs, owing to petrol restrictions or other war circumstances were unable to hold meetings, their permits would be safeguarded until more normal times. The Clifden and Waiapu Racing Clubs were unable to hold their usual meetings, and the Amberley Racing Club, Oamaru Jockey Club, and Waipukurau Jockey Club were each forced,to abandon a day’s racing. These five days, in conformity with policy, were not allocated to any other club.

Referring to the taxation commitments of racing clubs, Mr Elworthy said a further embarrassment to them was their liability to compulsory subscriptions t) the War Loan. As the executive committee had on several occasions expressed the opinion that clubs should meet without demur their taxation and other commitments during the war, he had advised clubs called upon to subscribe to the War Loan to make every endeavour to do so. Clubs that had intended giving their war-time profits to patriotic and similar funds had found that after payment of the different taxes, including the national security tax, the amounts available fo* donation were much less than originally anticipated. ; Mr Elworthy said the remount encouragement scheme had enjoyed another successful season. Thirty-nine stallions were approved for subsidy and there had been a noteworthy increase in the percentage of foalings. There was prospect of the establishment of a new remount committee.

TROTTING NOTES Champion Juveniles While Pacing Power is recognised as the outstanding two-year-old of the season, a lot of interest will be taken in the three-year-old classics because of the-presence of a number of horses bound to improve with experience of racing. R, B. Berry has the champion Pacing Power, but also in his care is Sandiways, whose win at Addington in June stamped him as a game horse. His previous performances had shown him lacking experience, but the first time he was driven by his trainer .he proved his worth. Sandiways is by Sandydale from Eugenie, who, by Logan Pointer from Koromiko, was foaled in 1920. Another two-year-old of great promise is Sandstone, also by Sandydale, who helped to make a sensational finish in the Sapling Stakes. Sandstone is another that will be improved by racing, and Pacing Power may not have the three-year-old classics to himself. It seems, however, that if Pacing Power is to be beaten it will be by one of the Sandydale youngsters, Sandiways or. Sandstone.

Appreciation “Every .year brings us the, sad duty of marking the departure of some amongst us,” said Mr H. F. Nicoll, in his annual address to the New Zealand Trotting Conference. “We now have to record the loss of Mr G. L. Berry, recently president of the New Brighton Trotting Club. Mr Berry was an able administrator and a popular figure wherever he was known, and we miss his genial presence. We also mark with regret.the passing of a fine citizen and sportsman, Mr George Gould, whose upright character and fearless opinions were of much value in the many causes in which he was interested. A further loss sustained by our sport was the death of Mr R. T. Reid, president of the Waikato Trotting Club. He was for some time a delegate to this conference, and later a member of the New Zealand Trotting Association. His business ability and forceful personality made him a valuable member of our conference.”

Race Records The saddle mile record of 2min 6sec was reduced by Smile Again at Addington to 2min '4sec during the 194041 season, and the one mile and half record was reduced to 3min lOsec by Zincali at Ashburton. The horse which created most interest this season was the three-year-old trotter Certissimus, which won seven races out of 11 starts and went 3min 18sec for one mile and a half. The classic races were well distributed between the three-year-olds, Special Force and Walter Moore being the outstanding performers. Walter Moore established a new three-year-old record in winning the All Age Stakes of one mile and a quarter at Addington in 2min 41sec.

were exonerated from all blame. Samoan Clipper was fractious at the machine, but gained an early lead that enabled him to hang on and win. More than £2OOO was paid out by bookmakers. A matchbox containing powr der was found at the back of Samoan Clipper’s stall, and it was reported that West was seen using the box and applying some substance to the horse's bit.

Victorian Bales The Victoria Racing Club has amended rule 72 (a) to provide that the wife of a trainer cannot race a horse irrespective of by whom, it is trained. Rule 137 a, dealing with licensing of visiting trainers, has been tightened up by amendment. It now reads: “Any trainer visiting Victoria shall not be eligible to train a horse unless he is registered or licensed by a principal club or some racing association recognised by a principal club, or unless he holds a permit to train granted by the committee of the Victoria Racing Club, provided nevertheless that no person whose application for a licence or for a permit to train has at any time been refused, withdrawn, or not granted by the committee of the Victoria Racing Club shall be eligible to train in Victoria unless he first-ob-tains from the committee of the Victoria Racing Club a licence or permit to train. Any breach of this rule may be' punished by fine, suspension, or disqualification.” The addition to the rule is a safeguard against trainers who, having been refused a licence by the Victoria Racing Club, visit another state, become licensed there, and then return to Victoria. This has happened in the past.

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RACING E\ WAR TIME

MR HOLDS TO HIS VIEW RE ELECTED PRESIDENT OF CONFERENCE (F.0.0.R.) WELLINGTON, July 11. After declaring ‘hat he would not withdraw one word of his address to the annual meeting of the Canterbury Jockey Club, in which he advocated a reduction in the number of racing days as a contribution to the war effort, Mr A. S. Elworthy (Timaru) was unanimously re-elected president of the New Zealand Racing Conference to-day. Opposition to Mr Elworthy’s retention of the presidency was expected. In his address Mr Elworthy expressed his resolve to stand for reelection, stating: “It is for delegates to decide as to the propriety of my statement, and the circumstances in which it was made. It is for delegates to decide whether what I have said or what I have done is incompatible with the retention of my post as president of the conference.” There was no comment on the motion for the adoption of his report. Throughout the three hours’ conference, no reference whatever was made to any suggestion that racing should be curtailed. The election of officers was the last business, and I\Jr H. R. Chalmers, who had been advocated as the likely president, in moving Mr Elworthy’s re-election, emphasised the honesty of convictions of the president, at the same time disapproving of his utterances.

President’s Address

“I now intend to refer to the general relation between racing nd the war and the war effort of the Dominion, which was the chief topic of my address to the annual meeting of members of the Canterbury Jockey Club," said Mr Elworthy. “This relation dominates our deliberations to-day, and our duty as citizens of the Dominion and the Empire overshadows our sporting interests as racing men. “At the annual meeting of the Canterbury Jockey Club, I expressed the opinion, and repeat that, opinion now, that until the war is won the money spent on betting and the days given up to racing should be substantially reduced. That opinion was personal and individual, and I made it plain that I did not speak on behalf of the Canterbury Jockey . Club or this conference. No member of the committee of the Canterbury Jockey Club knew anything of my address before it was delivered. . t , “I freely recognise the existence of the argument that being chairman of the committee of the Canterbury Jockey Club and president of this conference, I was disentitled to.express my personal belief at the time I did. In spite o this I wish to state I do not withdraw one word of my address to the Canterbury Jockey Club, but when I said it may be open to criticism. . “I spoke as I did from a sense, of personal responsibility and public duty, with a due regard to what I believe to be the stark, urgent national necessities of the times The real question for consideration by delegates is whether betting and racing should be reduced or should not be reduced. If, in the interests of the country and everyone, we are satisfied that there should be some reduction, it is of little consequence that I advocated a reduction at the wrong time. “I should like to make these two general observations: first, that the war has not yet affected us as it has our kinsmen in Great Britain, but inevitably and soon the effect of the war on ourselves must increase. Second, the citizens of New Zealand engaged as they are in a war of survival will understand.and loyally accept the unpalatable fact that we are living in nard and ■ dhewy times, and that no country can live during a great >«war in the same' Wanner as in ■'a -tirne of peace. I apply these two observations to racing by the assertion that racing is one part of our peace-time manner and way of life which should be modfied in the crisis of a war for our existence.

Need For Economy

"This war will be won by the armed forces of our Empire, and by work, production, national economy, and the personal savings of all citizens. The Government, recognises the necessity of economy and saving, and has set up a National Savings Scheme which it is pushing by every means under its control. I believe that some part of the money' now spent on betting and racing should be drawn off and become available to the Government for war loans *>hd the National Savings Scheme. National savings, no matter how achieved, are the life blood of the war effort 0/ every belligerent country, and are the foundation of economic and financial stability. They are the sign and badge of a healthy, determined national spirit in time of war.

“I say for your consideration that this country should not spend as much money on a sport which is partly an entertainment, partly a luxury business, in a time of war as in a time of peace. I say no more than that. “I am well aware of the strength of the arguments which are urged against the opinion I hold by people of sound judgment. I know that racing is carried on as usual in Australia. I know that my opinion is not altogether supported by English racing authorities, who have decided to carry on racing as much as national emergencies permit. As I have said more than once, I am expressing only my own personal opinion, but can but think that it is held by a great many besides myself. Relaxation is a necessity to a country living in the midst o'f the horrors of war like England, but we can hardly place ourselves in the same category; therefore, that argument to my mind carries no weight. “If the Government of this country and the conference wish and decide that the usual racing programmes shall be continued as before, then I, and I am sure all other members of the conference, will give all the help we can, as we are bound to do. The Government is the only authority with a. full knowledge of all the facts; and I am sure the New Zealand Racing Conference will, like the English authorities, accept and be guided by the opinion of the Government.

“I have explained my position and my opinion fully and frankly. The subject is one of great importance to the country, and. to all of us. I am sure that it is a subject we can and ■will discuss on a high plane with tolerance and without heat. As I have already said, it is for the delegates to decide as to the propriety of my statement and the circumstances under which it was made. It is for delegates to decide whether what I have said or what I have done is incompatible with the retention of my post as president of the conference,”

“The Wrong Time”

Moving the re-election of Mr Elworthy, Mr H. R. Chalmers, the vicepresident, said he did not wish to' criticise Mr Elworthy’s views, except to say that he thought Mr Elworthy had chosen the wrong time to make his remarks, and that he had not treated his executive or the Minister for Internal Affairs (the Hon, W. £. Parry) with courtesy. “At the same time, I am convinced that any apparent lack of courtesy was unintentional,” Mr Chalmers said. Any opinion that Mr Elworthy had expressed could not divorce him from the president of the racing conference. Any private person was entitled to express his opinion, as and when he pleased; but when one occupied a publie position of prominence, then one had to realise that one’s public utterances were always looked upon by the public as the utterance of the body which one happened to be connected with. ~ A ... “I am quite sure our president, did not fully appreciate that wWen he, spoke,” said Mr- Chalmers. "No - one doubts bis honest «£ pui»m SE bis

AMENDMENTS TO RULES

PEW CHANGES MADE RACING CONFERENCE REMITS (F.0.0.R.) WELLINGTON. July 11. Thirty-seven amendments and additions to the rules of racing were brought before the annual meeting of the New Zealand Racing Conference to-day. Few were adopted. The executive committee was appointed as follows: —Messrs W. Claud Motion (Auckland), D. R. Wanklyn (Canterbury district), A. C. Hanlon (Dunedin district). T. E. Coates (Greymouth district), F. P. Kelly (Hawke’s Bay district). W. T. Hazlett (Southland district), and the Hon. J. McLeod (Taranaki district). An amendment to the rules, to prevent duplication of colours, proposed by the Canterbury Jockey Club, was adopted. The provision was made that except for an owner’s second colours no registration shall be made of colours which vary only in the colour of the cap from any previously registered colours.

Mr G. D. Beatson (Hawke’s Bay) suggested that the registration of the colours of persons who had not raced for many years, should be cancelled, as the difficulty at present was to get colours.

“Why not have colours for No. 1, No. 2, and so on,” suggested a delegate. There was a prompt and general reply. “We won’t have that,” The provision for jockeys to be fined for failure to return colours was extended to cover club colours.

A proposal by the Marlborough Racing Club that, with the approval of the Trotting Conference in writing, any trotting club may hold not more than two hack races for gallopers on each day, was decisively defeated. The definition of “recognised steeplechase or hurdle race jockeys approved by stewards to ride in one special steeplechase, hurdle, welter, or flat race a day," was altered to: “Jockeys who during the period of 12 months immediately preceding a meeting have ridden three times in a steeplechase or hurdle race in New Zealand.” The conference rejected a remit to extend the rule to provide that in any such flat race or handicap flat race, fees payable to recognised steeplechase or hurdle race jockeys shall be calculated and paid as if the race were a hurdle race or steeplechase. A remit from the Canterbury Jockey Club, designed to encourage apprentice, riders, made alterations in the rules for apprentice races to be included on the programmes of clubs holding one two-day meeting. _ ' . „ A remit by the Waikato Racing Club, requiring scratchings to be made one hour before the time fixed for the start of the race, was heavily defeated, delegates of country clubs emphasising their difficulties. New Rule on Scratching

A new rule on scratching, proposed by the Canterbury Jockey* Club, was adopted. It reads: “Scratchings and declarations of forfeits shall be final, and except in cases, of mistake not attributable to the owner or his authorised agent, no horse which been scratched, or in respect of which a forfeit has been declared by the owner or authorised agent, shall be reinstated in any race _ after the tune of acceptances or forfeits has passed. The option was given to clubs to introduce a winter minimum weight of 8 stone from May 1, the old rule providing that the winter scale be adopted’“from June L The nontotalisat'or clubs were exempted from the rule. , , , A South Canterbury Jockey Club remit, to,, allow apprentices’ allowances in jumping races, was defeated. A remit proposing the bracketing on the totalisator of all horses owned and/,or trained by the same person lapsed for want of a seconder, as also did the Waikato Racing Club’s proposal to fix a maximum weight of- 12st in all hurdle races or steeplechases with a stake of £4OO or, over. An amendment carried said that no horse shall run without plates or in shoes heavier than racing plates without permission. ’ ; Authority to make levies totalling £9500 was given by the conference. The president said that the levy was £ISOO more than last year, £IOOO being for the non-renewal of colours, £4OO for the expenditure 6n No. 14 of the Stud Book, and £l5O for the reprinting of the rules. “That Would disturb the whole principle of place betting," said a. North Island delegate when the Manawatu Racing Club’s representative moved that in the event of a dead-heat for third place the dividend on horses so placed should be computed on onethird of the pool. It was stressed by delegates that backers on the place machine supported horses to fill a place, not first, second, or third, according to the judge’s placings.

PUBLIC INTEREST IN SPORT

GREATER ATTENDANCES last Tear

(F.0.0.R.) WELLINGTON, July 11. “The passing of this second year of the war shows that racing undoubtedly still holds pride of place in sports m New Zealand," said Mr C. , Corner, chief stipendiary steward; in his report to the annual meeting of the New Zealand Racing Conference. Good racing had been provided, and the public had attended in greater numbers than for years past. The amount of . money passing through the totalisators had reached closely New Zealand’s record year. It was apparent, from the number of prosecutions of bookmakers and the volume of betting disclosed thereby, that a very considerable sum of money still found its way through other than the legalised channel. It was a pity some provision had not been made by the Government for a “doubles totalisator,” and the telegraphing of money to the course. Many clubs were devoting their profits to war purposes, and certain courses had been and still were being used for military purposes. Thus racing clubs and racing were playing no small part in the country’s war effort. A number of trainers, jockeys, and stable hands had gone overseas on active service, and had done well.

belief that it was the right thing to do. although it might not ne the opinion of the conference that racing should be curtailed. Mr Elworthy is willing to carry on, and to conduct the policy that the conference decides.” Speaking as the oldest member of the conference, with 35 years’ experience. Mr W. T. Hazlett (Southland) seconded the motion for Mr Elworthy’s re-election. No other nomination was made, and Mr Elworthy was re-elected without opposition. ... Replying, Mr Elworthy emphasised that at the time, he made his remarks he had stressed that they were his own personal feelings. If the conference wished him to carry on as president, he would do everythihgjie could to cany out Ms vjabM to Ss-feesl