RACING IN U.S.A.

Evening Post, Volume CIV, Issue 68, 17 September 1927, Page 23

RACING IN U.S.A.

W. J. HOLMES PEEPERS NEW

ZEALAND

W. J. Holmes, well known in New Zealand as a horseman and trainer, who returned this week from Vancouver, where he had acted for the past eighteen months as trainer to the ex-New Zealander, Mr. F. Beban, is not enamoured of racing in that part of the world, and though the reason of Holmes's return to New Zealand was really on account of a breakdown in health, he had previously to this definitely decided on returning to the Dominion.

Holmes considers racing there a long way below New Zealand standard, and states that a good New Zealand horse would win many- races, though perhaps not a great sum in stake money. He instanced the fact that one horse he trained won four races and the prize money did not total 2000 dollars—say £400! He stated that while he was laid up Mr. J. E. Henrys had attended the races, and according to the officials of the meeting had enjoyed the racing, but Holmes questions very much whether he did or not. The fact that a two-mile race was decided on a course four furlongs in circumference would hardly appeal to the New Zealand handicapper. Racing was very hard on all connected with the training and riding of horses, and proved a great strain. The running of the horses was practically decided by the authorities, and though a horse had been nominated and accepted for in a race, there was no guarantee that he would be allowed to start. Alsoa trainer might wish to withdraw a horse from a race, but if the judges decided that the horse was needed to make up the field, then he had to start, no matter whether he was fit or not, and a .refusal to obey the judges' orders meant a heavy penalty, even to being warned off. According to Holmes racing in and around Vancover is at a very low ebb, and the class of people connected with it not the same as in New Zealand. He is glad to be back, in Now Zealand, where racing is conducted on business and sporting lines. In the eighteen months he was away, Holmes trained the winners of thirteen races. . .