COMMISSION’S REPORT

Press, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 25389, 12 January 1948, Page 4

COMMISSION’S REPORT

AUCKLAND CLUB CRITICISED PRESIDENT’S REPLY (P.A.) AUCKLAND, Jan. 9. A statement on the Gaming Commission’s report by the president of the Auckland Racing Club (Dr. A. McGregor Grant) opposes the establishment of a racing advisory board, and answers criticisms of the club made in the report. "They have spent a considerable amount of time and research work on every detail connected with racing, and many of their suggestions will be most helpful for guidance of those controlling racing in the future,” Dr. Grant said. “We thoroughly agree with the commission’s findings on bookmakers, and also agree with the suggestions for offcourse betting. “The # formation of an advisory board we do not think is necessary, for it would practically usurp all the powers and functions of the Racing Conference and individual clubs whose members are enthusiastic and experienced racing men better able to control the domestic affairs of their own clubs. Should this board come into being one can foresee a gradual trend toward State control of racing. "The Auckland Racing Club has been singled out for drastic criticism of extravagance on its part. This, we think, is quite unfair. The Auckland Racing Club paid for the season 1945-46 in income tax 25 per cent, of the total amount of income tax paid by all racing clubs in New Zealand, and 22 per cent, of the total amount of income tax paid by racing and trotting clubs in New Zealand. Our cash and investments increased from £18,500 in 1937 to £218,000 in 1946. This amount has been built up during a time when it has been impossible to make any major improvements at Ellerslie. We consider that the club has managed its affairs very well during that period, in that it has accumulated this asset simply because the building restrictions prevented the club’s embarking on its long-determined desire to supply facilities <3n Ellerslie racecourse commensurate with the public requirements. Plans were drawn and some time ago submitted to the control authorities, but it was not possible to obtain permission to build. *‘We consider that the increase in stakes for the last Auckland Cup at *the recent summer meeting proved a great success, and resulted in a great contest, appreciated so much by the public that a record amount was invested on the event. was no doubt that the result in every aspect fully justified the club’s action. We further consider that this gave a great impetus to tne breeding industry.” PICCOLO JUST FAILS TO WIN IN SYDNEY (Rec. 7.30 p.m.) SYDNEY, January 11. Two former New Zealand horses were unlucky in two races at Randwick yesterday. With an ounce of luck Piccolo would have won the Warwick January Handicap. He ran strongly throughout the distance and fought out a head and head finish with Crusader to lose the decision. In the Three-year-old Handicap, Darius, which has been third in his last three starts, improved his rating to record a second. He challenged the field with the winner Keewatin in the home stretch, but was not quite strong enough. Results:— THREE-YEAR-OLD HANDICAP Of £750. One mile. KEEWATIN 8-6 .. .. Briscoe 1 Darius 8-7 .. .. .. Mulley 2 Boycott 8-2 .. •. Mullane 3 Eight started. Length; four lengths. Time, Imin 37jjsec. WARWICK JANUARY HANDICAP Of £lOOO. One mile and a half. CRUSADER 8-10 .. .. Mulley 1 Piccolo 8-7 .. .. Cook 2 Skip Bomber 8-2 .. .. Thompson 3 Seven started. Long head; three lengths. Time, 2min 32Jsec.