RACING NOTES

Evening Star, Issue 19931, 30 July 1928, Page 11

RACING NOTES

[By Si. Cum.]

RACING I'T^iUEES. August 4.—Christchurch Hunt Meeting. August 4.—Poverty Buy Hunt Club. August 14, 16, 18.—Grand National Mcet-

October 6, B—Auckland Meeting. October 10.—Manawatu Hunt Meeting. October 11, 13.—Dunedin Spring Meeting.

m August' 15.-Uannev.rko Meeting. TROTTING W 0««. August 16.—Dannevirke Hunt Meeting. August 11, 15, 17.—New Zealand McttoAugust 25. -Hawke’s Bay Hunt Meeting.politan T.C. September 1. -Marion J.C. Meeting. , September B.—New Brighton T.C. September I.—Otago Hunt Meeting. October 15, 17.--Auckland T.C. September 8. Taranaki Hunt Meeting. October 20. Timaru T.C. ■ September 13, 15.—Wanganui Meeting. October 20, 22.—Greymoutb- T.C. September 22. Ashburton Meeting. October 22. Oamaru T.C. September 22.—Napier Park Meeting. November 6,8, 9.—Metropolitan T.C.' ’September 22, 24. Avondale Meeting. November 17, 21.—Otahuhu T.C. September 27, 28. -Geraldine Meeting. November 24 (or December 1).— WellmgSeptembcr 29. Palcuranga Hunt Meeting.ton T.C. September 29.—Hawke’s Bay Mooting November 29, December I.—Forbury Park October 4.—Kurow Meeting. . ' T.C.

RAGIHG TAXATION Tho splendid majorities by which the retiring candidates for seats on the Dunedin Jockey Club Committe'o wore returned can only be taken as a vote ot confidence by the members in the policy of the executive. Without an election it would have been impossible to have obtained this vote, and the mombcis are indebted to the two gentlemen who unsuccessfully contested the seats with the retiring committeemen. Mr Hazlett’s remarks regarding the excessive taxation racing; clubs are uow subjected to by the Government, made almost on tho eve of a General Election, were a very strong challenge to the Government, and will surely beai iruit. The bulk oi • the present taxation, not on tho clubs, but ’on the owners and supporters of tho totalisator, the two factions which keep the sport going, wore war measures, and should have been removed long ago. When money was required by the Empire to assist winning the war, tho racing public met the Government most generously, not only in agreeing to have their sport heavily taxed, but also by subscribing largo.sums in donations to the various war funds, giving ’ their courses ’ lor camps, purchasing war bonds, and even curtailing the number ol days ot .racing, so that it would ‘not interfere with tho efficiency of-tho country. These heavy taxes were agreed to on the understanding that they were war measures and would bo removed when the war was over. Those in authority who made these concessions did not demand that tho agreement should be in the nature of a 'written contract. They wore men of their word, and backed by every sportsman in the dominion, and thought they were dealing with men who would honour the promises they made. It was- an urgent call for help from the Empire and not the time to argue and haggle about terms, and though the toll asked of racing was very heavy it was rcadyily conceded. The Government’s answer now, to repeated deputations asking for some reduction, is that they require the revenue, and cannot afford to lose such an easily-collected tax. If the revenue is needed so_ badly why docs not the Government increase this revenue by a much-desired and longwanted method. To-day there is nearly as much money illegally invested on the results of racing ’ and trotting events with bookmakers as passes through tiro legalised totalisator. On this money the Government does not receive taxation. Well-known persons are allowed to carry on this illegal business, and are aided and abetted in the work of doing so by a. Government department, which knowingly allows them the uso of telephones, telegraph, and postal facilities. Duder our present system of control one cannot telegraph money to tho totalisator for investment on which nearly 7} per; cent, would -go to'the country.coffers, imaddition to the cost of telegraphing, do., but it is quite easy to telegraph money for investment to the bookmaker. Thera is hardly a race or trotting meeting on which the book makers do not issue betting cards, and on all tho .principal meetings throughout tho dominion double charts are issued and circulated'through the post. It is quite clear that tho Postal. Department is assisting them in their illegal business and with" one Government department, no doubt working under instructions from Wellington to do so, it is not likely that contrary instructions, can bo issued to tho Police Department from tho some Government. If the Government would, under the excuse of wanting more revenues, clean up this class of betting and force the largo amount of capital now invested in wagering through tho totalisator, they would more than double their revenue from the taxation on racing, and at the same time stop the clamour from tho controllers and followers of racing for reduced taxation. Tho additional revenue from the totalisator would satisfy them. Owners would receive larger stakes, and breeders would • bo able to maintain their costly studs and keep up tho high standard of our thoroughbreds.

steeplechases and the three most important hurdle races. The field for this year’s Grand National Hurdles is not such a weak ono as it was ast year, when lie failed badly with uly 9.G in the saddle, but he appears to be a much improved horse this season; though 11. G may be beyond hjs'ability with horses like Nukumai, Red Fuchsia. Gaze, and Brigadier Bill.

The following is a list of his performances to date:— AT SIX YEARS.

Unplaced in A.R.C. Hunt Club Hurdles, June 3, 1926 AT SEVEN YEARS. Second (to Pendavies), with 9.0 in Pakuranga Hunters’ Hurdles, August 21, 1926 50 Won Pakuranga Hunt Cup with 9.0, August 21 ... 550 Unplaced with 9.3 in Waikato Hunt Cup (won by Hazelburn), October 25 Unplaced with 9.1 in A.R.C. Auiiimn Steeplechase (won by Glenotus), April 18, 1927 ... Third with 9.3 (to Passin’ Through and Glenotus), in Avondale Steeplechase, April 26 GO Won Waikato R.C. Linley Steeplechase with 9.3 April 30 ... 175 Won Waikato R.C. Huntley Steeplechase with 10.3, May 4 175 Won Great Northern Steeplechase with 9.7, June 4 ... ... r,500 Unplaced (fell) with 10.7 in A.R.C. Winter Steeplechase. June 8 ... —■ Won Wellington Steeplechase with 10.7, July 12 _ ... VO9 Unplaced with 9.11 in Wellington High-wcight Handicap, July 14 ... .... ... Unplaced with 9.12 in Wellington Winter Hurdles, July 10 ... *•“ AT EIGHT YEARS. Won Grand National Steeplechase with 11.7, August 9, 1927 ... 1,120 Unplaced with. 9.6 in Grand National Hurdles, August 11 ... • Unplaced with 9.11 in A.R.C. , Pongonby Hurdles, December , Second with 9.3 (to Wedding March) in A.R.C., Auckland Hurdles, January 3, 1828 ... 100 Unplaced with 9.11 in Takapuua J.C. Orewa High-weight, January's Unplaced with 9.10 in Takapuna Vvaiwera High weight, January Won Waikato R.C. Franklin Hurdles with 10.0, April 28... 105 Second with 10.13 (to Bourn) in Waikato Raglan Hurdles, April 30 30 Won Great Northern Hurdles with 9.2, June 2 1,-400 Fourth with 12.2 in Great Northern Steeplechase, Juno 4 ... Fell with 12.0 in A.R.C. Winter .. Steeplechase, June G Won To Kuifi R.C. To Kumi Handicap with 9.12, June 30... 100 Won Te Kuiti R.C. Mairoa Handicap with 10.9, July 2 ... 100 Fell with 11.3 in Wellington Steeplechase. July 11 _ ~. ... Won Winter Hurdles with 10.2, July 14 ... ... TOO - Total stakes won £6,833

JOTTINGS The gate receipts received by tbo Southland Racing Club last season were £1,934 3s at the summer meeting, and £772 IQs lOd at the autumn meeting—a total of £2,705 13s lOd. Beau Cavalier and Rouri are the favourites in the anti-post betting lor the Grand National Steeplechase, with Kiaiti for the Winter Cup with Nukumai, Gaze, Red Fuchsia, and Beau Cavalier for tho Hurdles. 11- is understood that this year’s Calcutta Sweep will constitute a world’s record. The prize of the first horse is now estimated to be £366,000, for the second horse £183,000, and for tho third horse £91,000. Last year tho prize was £228,000.

THE M'LEAN STAKES Tho Dunedin Jockey Club has decided to communicate with all owners who bare rising two-year-olds engaged m the M'Lcan Stakes, which will bo run at the October Meeting, asking them if they are in favour of that classic being run over four furlongs, as now allowed by the Rules of Racing, instead of five furlongs. Should there bo a unanimous response from owners tho distance will bo altered to four furlongs It is generally considered that four furlongs is quite far enough to race two-year-olds over in tho early spring, and we should see a much better field over tho shorter distance than o'ver five furlongs. At that season of the year few trainers will gallop their two-year-olds over more than three furlongs in their training operations, and in'tho actual races one secs quite an interesting struggle for perhaps three and a-half or four furlongs. Then they commence to stop badly, and most of tho two-year-old fields arc very badly strung out over the last furlong. it sickens a horso, of any ago to bo sent over a longer journey than it is trained for, but ever so much more so a two-year-old. Tho action of the Dunedin Jockey Club is to bo commended.

The annual subscription to tho Southland Racing Club, which holds four days’ racing each season, is only £1 per year. The entrance fee is £3 3s, and, including these, the members only contributed £195 15s in the way of subscriptions last season.

The Southland Racing Club received £229 12s 9d for rent of its course last season; also £250, the amount of the totalisator tax refunded to tho Inver cargill Trotting Club, which had its annual meeting on the course. The balance-sheet ol tho club shows its total assets to be £12,071 Ss scl, and liabilities nil. Tho assets consist of 127 acres, * valued at £3O an acre (a very conservative valuation) £3,813, permanent improvements £3,550 4s 9d. plant £421 16s lid, office furniture £S. outstanding fees £lB2. investment-; £4,053 19s 9d, and cash in bank £42

The Oamaru Jockey Club will bold its fust meeting on its new course next December, and already supporters of th- club are rallying round to make the nft ting a success. Two silver cups Lave been donated to the club to be add-M to the stakes, one anonymously, ami the other by Mr W. H. Phillips, of Dunedin

Wiltshire is doing good work_ in his preparation for tbo Grand National Steeplechase, and has been coming into favour during the past week: a good judge in the North Island told the writer at the Wellington Meeting that this horse is one of the most promising steeplechasers he has seen out this season

BEAU CAVALIER No horse racing in New Zealand only has been' more in the public eye than the Auckland-owned jumper Bean Cavalier, He was not raced until he was a six-year-old. and i:*-iy had one start that season. At seven years old ho won the Great Northern Steeplechase and the Wellington Steeplechase, and added to this double the Grand Nar tional Steeplechase a few weeks later, thus winning a treble which included the three most important cross-country eevnts in the dt minion in the course of ten weeks. Tins season he is racing as an eight year-old, and has shown better winning-forni over hurdles than steeplechase tehees, ’and the Great Northeren Hurdles and Winter Hurdles (Wellington)- have 1-een won by: him. All eyes are now turned on his chance in the Grand 1 National' Hurdles ;to be decided next month, and should he win that race he will have to his credit two trebles, , the three most important

Tho breeding of steeplechaser Poun on the sire’s sides is interesting, as be was got by Spalpeen, by Gossoon (son of Galopin and grandson of Vedette) from Whndmill, by Goldsbnroiigh— Merry-go-round, by Hamlet. His dam, Ko Iwi, by Demosthenes—The Boyne, runs back to tho Musket family, hence Pduri is an example of the great St. Simon—Musket cross.

Racing is a costly business to manage nowadays. The balance-sheet of the Southland Racing Club shows that, though only four days’ racing was held, no less than £1,383 I7s_ id was paid out by the club in salaries and wages last season. Race cards cost the Southland Racing Club £146 17s to print last season, and the sales amounted to £491 18s, leaving a net profit of £345 Is.

iroi the several balance-sheets of racing clubs I have seen this season the amounts stated as fees outstanding appear to bo much migher, than usual. In thv Southland Racing Club statement of acorn nts for the year _ ended June 30, the amount of nominations and

acceptances shown as outstanding for the summer meeting is £B4B, and for tip-' autumn- meeting ;£207~a total, of £455.' Surely there is some mistake, iii these figurc-sl •

The Southland RacingiClub'paid away a total of £ss?o,lßs 10(1 in -taxes' last season, which was made up;as follows: —Totalisator tax, £1,873, Useless £250 refund . for; permanent improvements, £1,623 11s; dividend tax, • £3,373 {ls; amusement tax, £267 7s Id; { tay, £3BB 15s: and lapd and- inepme tax, £2B Is 9d. The Southland Racing Club gave £7,386 5s in stakes last' season, making a profit of £1,284.13s 7d pn its summer meeting, and:a : lo?s of £146 9s 3d on the autumn meeting. ■

Should Cassells- be • able to get Pamplona to the post ■ for the Grant National Steeplechase next • month,; and the going be without sting, I will be prepared to see Mr L. Hazlott’s ofd champion run"a great race. Pamplona was one of; the best steeplechasers the dominion has ever seen, and should he land sound over the last fence he .will win. Clearing the fences will not be Pamplona’s trouble, but, the landing may jar him, as he is bound to be saving his bad joints at each fence. Poun, which won the Wellington Steeplechase this month, is well fancied for the Grand National Steeplechase, and he is doing good work in Iris - preparation. Though he won the Wellington Steeplechase by half a furlong lie did not impress me as a Grand National candidate, and unless he jumps better over brush fences at Riccarton than he did at Wellington ho will not see the course out. The brush fences at Riccarton are easily the biggest and stiffest fences of their kind in the; dominion, and each of them-has-to be jumped. At the last meeting of the Christchurch Hunt Maunga, ridden by R. M'Scveny, won the Homeby Steeplechase most convincingly, and he was immediately hailed ns a; likely winner of the Grand National Steeplechase, run ten days later, but in the latterrace he fell. Maunga is to bo ridden, in. the Homeby Steeplechase by Warren again next week, out his cross-country career suggests that he is a very erratic fencer and though _ his ability as a galloper, and stayer is second to none engaged in this year’s. Grand- National, ho is too uncertain a fencer to be given much of a chance.

No horso in this year’s- Grand National Steeplechase has better credentials than the locally-owned Tuki. He aas won over the country at Riccarton on more than one occasion, is a great stayer, and a good jumper. • The form ho showed on the last day at Trentham when he was just beaten by Kawni shows, that he is well, and even in a weak field he has not been overburdened with weight. Had the race at Wellington been over three and a-half miles Tiiki would have beaten Kawini, and on the firmer going at Riccarton I select Tuki to race better than he did at Trentham.

The Auckland jockey S. Henderson has put up a remarkable record in connection with important jumping events. The following is a list of the leading events in which he has steered winners New Zealand Grand National Steeplechase: Lochella, Beau Cavalier. Great Northern Steeplechase.: Gluepot, Mary Bruce, Beau, Cavalier,, Gleudowle. Great Northern Hurdle Race: Beau Cavalier. Wellington Steeplechase: Beau Cavalier. Wanganui Steeplechase; Gluepot. Winter Hurdle Raco (Wellington): Marconi, Beau Cavalier., Winter Steeplechase (Ellerslio): Troublesome, Coroglen, . Glendowic. Henderson, who, it may be remarked, can ride at 8.0 quite easily, has also won fame in flat races, and m that department he scored a victory on Tanadees in the Auckland Cup of 1926.