RECEIVING DEPOTS

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 3, 5 January 1937, Page 11

RECEIVING DEPOTS

AUCKLAND STRESSES NEED

(Special from "Early Bird.") AUCKLAND, January 4. Illuminating figures concerning the: present upward trend of totalisator figures" were given at the last meeting of the Auckland branch of the New Zealand Owner?', Breeders', and Trainers' Association, which indicated very plainly that Turf finances are becoming much more buoyant. As a result of the organiser's report, the meeting expressed its wholehearted approval of the principle of the inauguration of legal totalisator receiving depots and the establishment of the doubles totalisator, with the smallest unit accepted for off-course betting. The report of the improvement of racing finances showed that for the 110 days' racing from August 11 last to December 30 the totalisator investments amounted to £2,607,000, as against £1,909,000 for the same period twelve months ago, an increase of approximately £698,000 for one-third of the current racing year. This increase meant that £116,000 extra went to racing and trotting clubs and to the Treasury, the former controlling bodies thus being enabled to increase their stake-money to the extent of their share of this increase, with the Government .taking the remainder as additional taxation. This is very interesting when compared with the position in South Australia, with its present licensed betting shops, which are distinct from totalisator receiving depots. The returns in South Australia show that for the full year the Government of that State and racing clubs reaped only £122,290 by way of taxation of bookmakers on a turnover of no less than £6,113,990; but the profits of the bookmakers amounted to no less than £456,176. It was stated that if the present rate of progress in totalisator investments continues for the full year £2,000,000 extra would be registered on the previous year's turnover, which would mean a turnover for the full year of something over £6,000,000, . against the £4,645,962 invested during the last financial year. TRENTHAM SUCCESSES Though Trentham horses fared with much less than their usual success at other holiday meetings, the small contingent that went to Auckland had a I splendid innings, for their wins i'n-| eluded the Auckland Cup and the | Great Northern Derby, the two main events at the meeting. Cuddle, owned by Mr. R. J. Murphy. l started three times, and again won the treble of Auckland Cup, King's Plate, and Clifford Plate, as she did last year. These three events were worth £ 1800 in stakes, including the gold cup valued at £50 that went with the Cup. Essex, owned by Mr. J. S. McLeod. also won at his two starts, in the Queen's Plate on the first day and in. the Derby on the third day. These • two successes, including the breeder's premium in the Derby, which Mr. McLeod also took, were worth £1100 in stakes,' • Shy, owned by his trainer, R, W. A. Lewis, won the Plunket Handicap on the second day and collected £250 in stakes for the victory. Brunhilde, owned by Mr. C. Ryan, did not" succeed in winning, but in her two starts she was third in the Great Northern Foal Stakes and second in. "the Sylvia Handle?'}, earning £120. Ejunee, a stablemaia of Essex's, was the only member .of the party to race who did not contribute to expenses. CttATE'S GOOD PROMISE The maiden and juvenile class at the Stratford Meeting may not have been very strong, but the manner in which Orate beat his two fields there, rolling home lengths in front, indicates that this gelding may be the makings of a good sort. He had his first race only a fortnight earlier in the Wai'pa Plate at Te Awamutu, and after showing great brilliance out in front he was beaten only a neck by King Neptune, who went on to score at Ellerslie. His record thus reads two wins and a second in three starts. Orate is a three-year-old brown gelding by that good: Australian-bred Ciceroi horse Oration, one of the best sprinters in the Dominion about a decade ago. His dam is given as a 1922 mare by Bisogne from Country Picnic, who would therefore be a halfsister to Hoariri, Taneriri. Manawhenua, and Horowhenua. This mare is not in the list of Country Picnic's progeny in the Stud Book, but it may be noted that no return was apparently made for 1922, and registration of the breeding has meanwhile been allowed. Orate is owned by Mr. J. M. Ryan, of Te Awamutu. who secured him from his breeder (Mr. J. C. Montefiore), ana he is trained by the former Trentham trainer E. J. Murtagh, now cf Te Awamutu. BALKAN PRINCE'S BROTHER The Karrakatta Plate, the season's principal race for two-year-olds in Western Australia, attracted a good field at Perth on Boxing Day. The undefeated Juana was an odds-on favourite, but the soreness that has been troubling her Rave her backers a good deal of anxiety, especially when she went badly in her preliminary. Gay Balkan, who was in great heart, was second favourite, and the Dominionbred Footmark had support. Owing to a horse jumping out at an angle, Juana and Footmark both lost ground at the start. Juana was last when half the distance had been covered, and when Gay Balkan swung into the straight with the lead she appeared to have little chance. She did well to finish a close fourth to Gay Balkan, Netter's Hope, and Hybla. Gay Balkan, who is a brother to Balkan Prince, won handsomely, and a good future looks in store for him. He is owned by Mr. W. J. Winterbottom, vice-chairman of the W.A.T.C., who is a good patron of the sport, and is trained by J. J. Kelly, who has now trained seven winners of ,the race, one being a dead heat. RADIANT STAR BANNED There was a sensation at the post in a race at Epsom (Melbourne) on December 19, as the second favourite, Radiant Star, Was in one of his worst moods. Not a good-tempered horse at any time, he excelled himself by his display of temper. Kicking and bucking, he delayed the start for six minutes. Once,he did take it into his head to face the machine, the starter released the barrier, and they jumped away in line. Radiant Star, however, refused to gallop, and after going about 30 or 40 yards began to buck, and his rider, H. Skidmore, was dislodged, but fortunately 110 harm was done. It was a great shock t.o the backers of this erratic Hunting Song horse. After the race the stewards decided to ban Radiant Star from racing in the metropolitan area. TRENTHAM AND ASHHURST Nominations for the Wellington Racing Club's Summer Meeting, to be held on Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday, January 20, 22, and 23, are clue with the secretary, Miss D. E. Bray, at the new closing hour, 5 p.m., tomorrow. Forfeit (£1) is due at the same time for the Wellington Stakes. Nominations for the AshhurstPohangina. Racing Club's Annual Meetins, to be held on January 22, also close tomorrow, at 9 p.m. The telegraph office at Ashhurst closes at 8 p.m., but the secretary, Mr. J. A. McDoneil, is on the telephone, No. 7, Ashhurst.