THE TURF. *

Evening Post, Volume LIV, Issue 99, 23 October 1897, Page 3 (Supplement)

THE TURF. *

[By Austbal.] THE W.R.C. AND~THE TOTALISATOR. Mr. G. H. Harbroe, one of the Stewards of tho' Wellington Racing Club, has oalled on mo in reference to tho artiole on the above subject which appeared last week. Mr. Harbroe points out that the proposal of the W.R.C. to make the les&e of the totalisator manage the outaide investments is at present the praotice with the Dunedin and Otaki Clubs. He also informs me that investments from outside Wellington will still be received by the Secretary of the olub, and by him handed over to the totalisator lessee for investment on the machine, and he thinks sufficient check can be put upon the lessee to protect the revenue of the olub. I confess 1 was not aware that such a system existed either in the Dunedin or Otaki Clubs and whilst readily accepting Mr. Harbroe*s statement that it is so, still I must express my regret that either a metropolitan or country club should carry on such a system. I know of one or two clubs whioh in the past tried the experiment, but it was dearly bought experience, and they were glad to alter the system. Mr. Harbroe has kindly allowed me to peruse a copy of the conditions drawn up by the olub for the guidance of the tenderers for working the totalisators ; and, after a oareful perusal of the conditions, I can only think they will eventuate, if the new proposal ia adopted, in a mass of uncertainty and confusion between the Secretary to the club and the totalisator lessee. After giving careful consideration to all Mr. Harbroe's arguments in favour of the proposed change, I still adhere to my former remarks. An alteration of the present arrangement can only be desirable either on the score of economy or expediency. If the Secretary, aa Mr. Harbroe states, is still to receive the telegrams, &c, for investments, he will require a clerk to look after them, therefore where can any economy take place in this respect ? As to expediency, if the telegrams for commissions have to be passed on from the Secretary to the lessee of the totalisator, it is obvious that this will entail further delay. Hence where is expediency gained by the proposed change. I am always ready to hear both sides of a question, but I must confess that Mr. Harbroe has been unfortunate in the two olubs he has instanced, and by doing so he has certainly|not improved the chancesjjfor the adoption of the new proposal. Ab everyone knows, Otaki is a native hack meeting, the Stewards of the club/ being members of the native race. The olub, however successfully managed, has hardly been long enough established or holds sufficient status to be taken as a model for a metropolitan club to follow. Then, as to the Dunedin Club, no matter what place it held in the racing world in this colony in ye/irs gone by, it is well known tbat the club has of late years, both as regards attendance and totalisator returns, greatly fallen away. Whether this state of affairs is due to the fact that the outside investments are managed differently to most other clubs I cannot say, but certainly the result of the working of the Dunedin Club is not an argument in favour of the proposed change. But, apart from the question that one or two clubs do adopt the course suggested by the Wellington Racing Club, it does not affect the principle that it is wrong for a club to delegete its powers and responsibilities to its employes, and it must appear patent to all who give consideration to the eubjeot that as soon as a racing club or any other institution ceases to have actual control of the investments entrusted to it, the public will lose confidence, and sooner or later the process must be detrimental to the olub or institution in question. It is all very well to say the olub will see that the investments are put on the machine. How is this to be done? Is a clerk to be stationed alongside the totalisator whilst the investments are rung on ? If so, where is the economy on the present arrangement ? I understand it is only a question of saving' the salary of one clerk. The weight of argument and the experience of the past are all against the proposed change, which, if adopted, must, I fear, materially affeot the club's revenue, and cause discontent among investors and the public generally. From the many expressions of approval of my remarks of last week that I have heard from various quarters, and from persons competent by experience in racing matters to express an opinion, I feel sure the proposed change will not be acceptable to the public. I hope better counaels will yet prevail with the Stewards, and that they will adhere to the system at present in force. UNFAIR RIDING. Complaints are rife as to the unfair and unprincipled tactics adopted by certain jockeys during the progress of races, and in the interest of sport it is to be hoped the offenders ere long will be brought to book. If an example were made of one or two of their number, who resort to such contemptible practices it would doubtless have a good effect. One often hears on a race - course how certain competitors' chances have been blotted out owing to receiving a • bump ' by another horse engaged in the race, and often these 1 bumps ' are not accidental but premeditated on the part of the rider. It was only a few weeks back that a trainer was complaining to me about his valuable youngster, probably worth £200 or £300, being deliberately cannoned against in a race by another horse so as to spoil the former's chance of winning, and it had the desired effect. Now, it is cruel that owners of valuable horses should be compelled to subject their animals to such terrible rifaks by such actions on the part of unscrupulous riders. It is a difficult; matter to sheet Lome a charge of unfair riding, as the principal witnesses are, in the majority of oases, necessarily riders of animals competing in the race, and it is generally found that there is a tendency amongst the jockeys not directly concerned to shield the culprit. This is sometimes due to threats being made by the offender to the other riders, probably some of whom are young hands, so as to prevent them making a clean breast of the dishonourable practices, and out of fear that the culprit would • get even ' with them in the future if they disclosed the real facts, the latter are suppressed. Therefore it is a difficult task to secure a conviction for these contemptible practices unless they occur in full view of the pnblic. A couple of other cases of horses being intentionally interfered with have of late come to hand, and in one instance it caused the horse which was dealt with to lose the race. A severe finish was being fought out between two or threo of the competitors, and Bearing the post one of them gradually got his nose in front, when he was seen to throw his hoad up in the air, and one of his rivals got up in the last stride and seenred the verdict by a short head. It was afterwards stated that the rider of the winner had deliberately struck the runner-up on tho head on noticing that he was getting the best of the fight, with the result that he landed his own mount the winner. Then, again, Boreas's connections complain that, notwithstanding that the rider of the horse in the Caledonian Handicap at Napier Park lost his stirrnp-iron shortly after the start, and was thus riding at a great disadvantage, an individual on the back of an animal in the same event, on seeing that Boreas was nevertheless going to beat his opponents, leaned over and dealt the gelding a severe blow on the head. Although it interfered with his chance a deal, the horse nevertheless won despite such disgraceful conduct. These are a few of the many cases that comes under one's notice during visits to race meetings, and it is high time this unfair riding wan put down with a strong band. It not only destroys the changes of the horses that are sought to ,

be prevented from winning, but also jeopardises the lives of both jockeys and horses, as a horse is always liable to fall when these tactics are resorted to. A remedy suggests itself in having competent stewards or trustworthy men stationed in different parts of the course (but especially at the tump, where most of the ' bumping ' takes place), so as to keep an eye on the trioks practised by some of the horsemen. The appointment of officials to discharge those duties would also have a deterrent effect on the culprits, who would be afraid to carry out their designs for fear of losing their livelihood. Some definite action is urgently required with a view of minimising the risk to valuable horses, and also to promote honest rivalry on the racecourses instead of suoh pishouourable and unsportsmanlike actions. INTERPROVINCIAL The departure of several North Island N. Z. Cup candidates for Riocarton during the past week has awakened increased interest in the big event, and the open nature of the race is commented on on all sides. Euroclydon's enforced spell last week owing to a big joint, which has now, however, been reduced with the spell and a dose of physic, has caused many of his supporters to dessert him. He has also receded in the market quotations to lOst, and it is an open question whether he will see the post. I would advise backers to stand off him for the present. Daystar has jumped into the position of favourite, but shrewd judgesj udges consider that his stable mate, Haria, will prove the bestof the pair at the woights. Waiuku, who passed through here on his way South this week, is big and well, and although M'Guinness has been unable to give him much fast work on the New Plymouth track, the horse has had plenty of long steady work, and is in nice condition for sound galloping at Riccarton. He will make rapid improvement in the interval before the Gup, but it remains to be seen whether he will be forward enough to last out a strongly-run two-mile race. Should, however, the pace for the first mile be slow, it would suit both St Lcger's sons — Waiuku and St. Paul— splendidly. St. Paul is reported to be in magnificent fettle, and excellent reports reach me about Lord Roslyn, who is galloping in rare style at the Forbury, while Epaulet is doing splendidly at Yaldhurst, and is supposed to have done a real good gallop recently. Blarney is coming on nicely, but failed again at Wanganui on Thursday. He is capable of much improvement, and being partial to a distance, his chanco must not be blotted out. Our looal candidates Leda and Strathbraan are both doing well at Riccarton, and I am sure will give a good account of themselves if landed at the post fit and well. Cannonshot has been backed for a tidy sum by his owneron the strength of a gallop at Ashburton last week, and Skirmisher is going better at present in his work than for some time past. Taken altogether, one cannot help remarking on the splendid manner in which Mr. Henry has concealed the winner. When reviewing the handicaps in July last, I picked out six to supply the winner, five of which still remain in — Waiuku, Haria, Leda, Sir Launcelot, and The Brook — and I fancy the winner will come from among them. To pick one out at the present time I would select Habia. The stud groom Toole, who was engaged by Mr. G-. G. Stead to bring out his English purchases to this colony, allowed me to inspect the thoroughbreds in their boxes on board the Mataura, and I found them looking in healthy condition, which was hardly to be expeoted after such a tedious and lengthy voyage especially considering that fodder ran short previous to arriving at Albany. The Amphion colt, the property of Mr. W. R. Wilson, the St. Albans sportsman, is the pick of the basket, being a powerful black aristocrat, with plenty of bone and substance, and excellent quarters and girth, together with a fine set of legs. Judging by appearances he will furnish into a very handsome colt, and is built on galloping lines. The Orville youngster is chestnut in colour, and was bred in America, and although the giant of the loc, with game head, and very powerful behind the saddle, he Buffers in comparison with Amphion's son. Nevertheless, he shows plenty of quality, and although his pasterns are rather straight they show strength and substance enough to belong to an American trotter. On entering the box occupied by the colt by Friar's Balsam from a mare by Bendigo I was immediately struck with the gentlemanly appearance of this youngster. He is not so tall as his companions, being more compact, and he displays a large amount of quality. The filly imported by Mr. Stead, by Simonian, is unfortunately considered to be in foal, having been allowed to run with the colts previous to transhipment to New Zealand. This is a great misfortune. She is a big raking filly with massive quarters, and should make a good brood mare. The importation of such beautifully bred animals to mate with our own thoroughbreds is sure to have a beneficial effect on improving the breed of our racehorses. W. Hutana is fining Jim Campbell down considerably at Martinborough, and he has also The Baillee (half - brother to The Miser) in work. He is a fine big gelding, but is backward. Mr. J. Orr has Bull's Eye, Amberite, and lift Volta in hand at Martinborough. Mr. W. Rathbone's brood mares Thyra (Robinson Crusoe — Dagmar) and Merganser (Nordenfeldt — Albatross) have each produced colt foals to Gold Reef. First Venture, by Phaeton — Adventures, has gone into M. Hobbs's hands to train for her Welcome Stakes engagement. St. John, by St. George— Charm, had to be destroyed at Halswell last week owing to a brokon shoulder. The handicaps iscued by Mr. Walter Armstrong for the Taratahi Meeting on the Prince of Wales's Birthday appear a fair production on tbe wbole. In the Hurdles Ned Kelly and Rhoderick Dhu are well in, and Ruamahunga (9at 6lb), and Thunder (Ost l'2lb), should fight out the Hack Flying. Boreas is running so well at present that he shquld take a lot of beating in both the Railway and the Prince of Wales's Handicaps, should he not be taken to Riccarton instead, but On Ditmust also be given a chance. Whario (Sst 21b), In the Swim (Tat 3lb), and Ruamahunga (9st 21b) are all given a chance in the Taratahi Hack Handicap, and for the Birthday Handicap In the Swim (9at 31b) and Derringcotte (9at 101b) appear the best of those engaged. The Dunedin horses, Britomart, Black and Red, Bell Clair, and Blazer have arrived at Riccarton. AUSTRALIAN. It appears that Aurum split his hoof four dayn previous to winning the Caulfield Guineas, and in the circumstances, writes ' Aflmodeus, ' it was deemed {advisable to run him in a pair of aluminium bar shoes, with the additional precaution of encasing the impaired foot in wax ends. The Trenton colt betrayed no signs of lameness after leisurely disposing of the Guineas field ; but a slight trickling of blood was evidence of the wound having- opened afresh, and this hoof trouble, «o common in the Musket family, will, no doubt, be a source of anxiety during Aurum'a future turf career. The greatest danger 'in connection wii.h a split hoof is the chance of inflammation setting in ; but it is to be hoped Auruin wiil escape this affliction. All the game, he may burst up in any fast gallop he attempts, and, in view of this possibility, a certain measure of apprehension must necessarily exist prior to seeing him stripped for the Derby and Melbourne Cup. When Coil romped over his opponents in the Caulfield Stakes he did not carry a shilling of stable money. He was said to be suffering from a cold at the time.