CONTROL OF RACING

Evening Post, Volume CXXXII, Issue 10, 11 July 1941, Page 6

CONTROL OF RACING

STANDARD MAINTAINED

The! chairman of stipendiary stewards, Mr. C. Gomer, reported to .the Racing Conference today that the management and control of race meetings had in the case of many clubs maintained a satisfactory standard. At others, however, it had not been satisfactory, and there were several matters to which it was desired to draw special attention. Too many persons having no business in birdcages were still gaining admission. Mr. Gomer pointed out that some years ago an endeavour was made to have standard weighing scales introduced, but a deadlock was reached. There were now many varieties in use which, although accurate, did not lend themselves to quick working, and he would like to see a standard scale in use. In this connection, were all the clubs in "a metropolitan district to have the same clerk of scales better working would be obtained. , >' In many cases, totalisatpr4 had been kept open too long and much after the proper closing times, said Mr. Gomer. This resulted in the meetings finishing late and also meant that- the hprses and riders were kept on the courses for an undue length of time. Cases had occurred in which the average times between the horses leaving the birdcage and returning were as long as 35 minutes. LEAN ON HURDLES. There had been a tendency on the part of clubs to give too much lean to hurdles and not to tie them properly. This matter had received close attention and an improvement was noticeable. Some of the fences on steeplechase courses; were very flimsy, not being up to brush hurdle standard. They should be properly made and erected. The double fences on some courses were too close together. They recommended a distance . of not less than 33 yards between the double fences. , "It still seems necessary to ask clubs to insist on owners and trainers confirming their entries and acceptances in writing," added Mr. Gomer. "Neglect to do this is a breach of the rules of racing and cannot be too strongly discouraged by those receiving them. There have been cases of failure to scratch horses and fines have been inflicted. In these cases the horses are taken out by direction of the judicial committee. Cases have occurred where horses scratched by order of the judicial committee, after making full inquiry concerning them, have been reinstated by the committee and allowed to run. This is contrary to the rules."