THE TURF. NOTES AND COMMENTS

Evening Post, Volume LXXXI, Issue 25, 31 January 1911, Page 2

THE TURF. NOTES AND COMMENTS

(By Sir Bedivere.) For a time at least the roar of «n6 ring has been silenced. The last lay of the layers was sung afc Takapuna' yesterday afternoon, and to-morrow, at Pahiatua, the merry tinkle of the totalisator bell will alone notify us that bets are being recorded. "Cash down" is henceforth to be our motto — at least, so 'tis said — and that the new aystefft will be for the Turf's benefit there is no gainsaying. Tho fact is that betting, per medium of the bookmaker, has never been properly regulated in this country. The so-called "Tattersall's Clubs" that have existed have been practically, powerless, and there has never been a controlling body whose word our racing clubs would accept as to the character and stability of any applicant for a license to bet. Attempts have been made to inaugurate such an institution, but, partly for the reason of the discord which has existed amongst the layers themselves, and partly on account of the uncompromising attitude adopted by the Racing Conference, such efforts have invariably proved more or less abortive. A.s a consequence, a sound ring has never existed in New Zealand, i.e., since the introduction of the totalisator. ' All sorts of spielers, welshers, and balancers have been allowed to call the odds, and during the last three years things arrived at such a pitch that something had to be done. Under the law which has How been repealed the police have been practically, powerless, and, though there have been instances of clubs which made very little enquiry as to the financial standing and integrity of those who made application for license to bet at their meetings, the effect of the Act of 1907, which placed the onus of proof as to such applicant's undesirableness upon the clubs themselves, was unquestionably in direct contrast to the wishes of its authors. This, for the reason that, owing to the risk involved in declining to grant a license, even those officials who have been most anxious to safeguard the interests of the public were on occasion compelled to permit questionable characters to ply their calling. Thus it came about that persons who had no chance of doing business on racecourses in other countries discovered in New Zealand a happy huntingground. Bookmaking and bookmakers came to be regarded as a curse of the Dominion, and finally there was the inevitable reaction in favour of the totalisator. Among the leading members of the ring, if indeed such a term be permissible, there have been some who have invariably met their obligations and acted straightforwardly, and not a few racegoers will regret their enforced retirement from the paddock. It is, however, but a case of the few having to suffer through the misdeeds of the many. In the interests of the public, owners, and the Turf itself ,- there can be no doubt that the bookmaker, as we in New Zealand have known him, was better dispensed with, and if the commission recently set ap to allocate permits to race and the dates" upon which meetings shall be held does its work as well as is generally anticipated, it may be safely predicted that henceforth racing will be on a far better footing than it has been in the past. All Guns, who fell to Mr. Kerwin's bid of 110 guineas, after winning the selling race at Trentham, is stiT under M'Donald's care at Riccarton. Prim, who will be a competitor in the principal handicap events at the C.J.C. yummer meeting, is apparently very fit just now. On Saturday, when ridden by R. King, she held Martine (H. Donovan), who was on the inside, safe whilst galloping a. mile and a quarter on the plough in 2min 14 3-ssec. \ Masterpiece, who is presumably to contest the Middle Park Plate, gave a disappointing display whilst, galloping six furlongs m company with Avarice on Saturday. In common with the majority of Clanranald's stock, however, he is not always inclined to do his best in private. The Sylvia Park gelding Tiptoe broke one of his hind legs whilst galloping on the Hawera tracks last Saturday, and it was therefore necessary to destroy him. ile was a useful horse in second-class company, and won the Atkinson Memorial Stakes at Hawera twelve months ago. bpecial train arrangements have been made in connection with the Pahiatua meeting, and as there is - promise of some enjoyable sport, the fixture is likely to be well attended. Since the handicaps were declared quite a number of the entrants have earned penalties. This, notwithstanding, more than one of them will be well landed. Highden, who registered an attractive performance at Woodville, will* not go short of friends when the Cup comes up for decision, and even under 9st 81b Lord Soult is likely to start favourite for tho Flying Handicap. The Lark, who waa to contest the Hack Hurdles, has, unfortunately, broken one of his legs, and though hopes are entertained of saving him for stud purposes, he will, of course, never again carry silk. i Mr Hutchinson, the inventor of the j "cam and strap" lever scales, which are now employed in several weighing rooms in this country, is now in England, and ip bringing his invention undei the notice of the Jockey Club and the j National Hunt Committee. I . -