THE TURF NOTES AND COMMENTS

Evening Post, Volume LXXXV, Issue 27, 25 February 1913, Page 2

THE TURF NOTES AND COMMENTS

(By Sir Bedivere.)

One does hear some ridiculous stories. Only a couple of days ago an acquaint* ance of mine tackled me in the train with the remark that "they made it pretty hot down at Wingatui." lie wtnt on to say that a bookmaker had assured him about five races were cut and dried by prior arrangement among the jockeys ere the fields went to the post, and, by way of supporting his contehtioris, my informaht instanced further cases of alleged ramps at Woodville. Then, as I expected, he wanted to know "what is the good of these stipendiary stewards if they don't stop it?" That is precisely the kind o! irresponsible chatter ! that was bound to go' on from the diiy that the new tystem of control was first put into practice. On race 1 days then* are hundreds of prejudiced people pre tent, who, m their self-satisfied conceit, firmly believe they know -more of the game and are able to use greater dis cerument ih picking out non-trterfi than any of the paid experts.. The thing is 60 simple. a All they have to do when a horse fails < to perform exactly as they anticipated is to pronounce him a dead 'one. And if at the time of imparting this inspired information they are able Ito attune their Voice to the correct whisper, wink one eye cautiously, nnd advise their neighbour to be "with 'em the next time," their authority ie sufficiently <establishea to permit their being asked to ''come and have something" in the meantime. Away- from the cour«o it 'is even more easy for dead ones to be detected. All you have to. do is to approach a bookmaker, find out "what they are coming at," and be assured that the all-poWerful "they" have arranged for the' remaining candidates in ' the event ks question to have a nap en route/ Of. course, if-r as, strangely enough, does sometimes happen— the correct pea gets roasted, it may safely be assumed/ that some jockey or --other -was guilty of the heinous crime, of "coming to light." How thej bookmakers, from whom most of the kind of information referred to appears to emanate, stand up against the terrible strain on their resources, it is difficult to imagine. This difficulty is, in fact, only exceeded by , that of attempting to trace the hugely successful punters, through whose machinations the Uhfortunate layers suffer. But enough. There is, unfortunately, a large section of racegoers, the members of which appear •to t BeligKt in their belief, of nonexistent evils.' There id yet another section, comprising people who have some slight ' knowledge of facing, but fail to perceive that those in authority, cannot act on mere suspicion. 1 These people may obseVve a horse being handled peculiarly, and may therefore legitimately have doubt of jthe honesty of its rider, The stewards, paid or otherwise, mayi be of a like mihd, but whilst the casual racegoer is free to divest himself of his opinion amongst his friends, She stewards must -move cautiously. They may hold an enquiry, but supporting evidence of fraud "may not, be forthcoming, and the accused rider must be given the benefit of any doubt. Perhaps the subsequent form shown by the horse concerned may le&ve the stewards convinced of his, rider's previous guilt, but, having once dealt with the earlier running and arrived afa decision in respect thereto, they cannot well reopen the case. All they, can do is to feear the facts in mind and' pay special attention tp#ri%e actjomraf the parties coneerttecl:" 'Tiikt 'niaYp'rM'iee ' would entirely ceaW with the appointment of paid steward! no one with any real knowledge of raeiflg ever JbelieVed: The absurd tarradiddles such as, I have referrea to f thay, however, -safely be dis- I Regarded. There is hot oner practical man in the Dominion bat will admit that sihee Messrs. M'Mahon, Gordon, and Gibson colnmence_d their work we have enjoyed both better and infinitely tleaner sport than .ever previously. The Man'awatu Trotting Club will hold its annual meeting on the Awapuni course to-morrow, and' light harness horse enthusiasts are promised an enjoyable day's sport. Those J who intend being present at the Wanganui Jockey Club's fixture on Thursday have the opportunity of taking the New Plymouth train as far as Palmerfitoh North, seeing the trots, and going on to Wanganui by the train leaving Palmerston at 4.50 p.m. There have been no further withdrawals from the Wanganui Cup, and unless something unforeseen should occur there will be twelve contestants. Such a. field is of almost ideal proportions — not so big' that some of the competitors are likely to meet with interference and not so small as to rob the race of interest. W, Price has been engaged to ride Dearest in the Flying Handicap 'at Wanganui. It may be doubted whether his mount, Who has been racing over lengthier courses recently,' will be able to go with her opponents during the efcrly stages of the journey. Whilst racing at Gisborne Allegory broke down' hopelessly and returned to the Weighing enclosure on three legs. Hence his absence from the Wahganui Cup field. Neither of Mr. Parker's colts, Multiply and-Odr King, will carry out his Jackson Stakes engagements. The former, in company with Caher Davon, may be saddled up at Da-rthevirke next week, but Our King is said to have gone all to pieces and to be making a noise. Owners and trainers are reminded that acceptances for the Nelson Jockey Cltib'a meeting are due on Friday next.