SPORTING

Greymouth Evening Star, 30 April 1924, Page 6

SPORTING

RACING NEWS ANB NOTES.,

(By “Arlington.”)

The postponed meeting of the Greymouth Jockey Club, wnich will be field, at Oinoto on Saturday, -now that the railway strike has been settled, promises, to be a most successful fixture. The acceptances are exceptionally good for an autumn fixture, wfiile Mr. Noble has fairly excelled, himself m concealing the winners. iSpearielt, winner of the Easter Stakes at Band wick, is trained by the ex-New Zealander V. O’Neill, who races the Spearhead colt in partnership with Mr. B. C. Kamesburgh. He had previously given a taste of ms quality by winning the Gibson Carmichael Stakes at the V.B.C. Autumn Meeting early last month, when Metullus also filled the position of run-ner-up. Air. E. A. Connolly evidently made a mistake when he parted with All Sunshine (All Black —Cranbrook). In the Coogee Handicap at Bandwick All Sunshine gave Sverre, owned by Air. Connolly, a stone and a beating, and put up Australasian record time, 1.50 3-ssec. for nine furlongs. W. Percival, an ex-Auc-kland lad, died in Australia recently as a result of a fall. The deceased was attached to the stable of his uncle (E. J. Rae) at Ellerslie for some years before going to the Commonwealth.

COAST MEETINGS

FUBTHEB DEVELOPMENTS. Notwithstanding the Reef ton Jockey Club's decision to abandon its Autumn Aleeting (as reported in yesterday's "ocar ) tne turnstiles may click alter all, eitner at Omoto or Reef ton. If sausidcwry arrangements can be made with the Beefton Club, the Greymouth Jockey Ciub is willing to assume responsibility for any financial loss if tue meeting is held at Omoto by the Reef ton Clubj any profit, of course, going into the cotters of the Greymoutli Club. An offer made on bettalx ol tne horse-owners was primarily responsible for this decision, they expressing themselves as willing, in the event oi any financial loss being sustained by the Greymouth CliSb, to forego stake money up to 50 per cent, it necessary. They ■ made it clear, however, that such otter would hold good only if the Reef ton Club’s meeting was neld at Omoto and not at Reelton. The deputation of horse-owners interviewed the Committee of the Greyinouth Jockey Club yesterday afternoon and consisted of Alessrs J. Byall, 11. H. Smith, D. Rothwell, Robertson, Wright and Stewart. The members of the J ockey Club present were : Alessrs T. E. Coates (President), J. D. Wingham;, W. R. Kettle, \V. H. Parfitt, Kim Williams, A. Beban, H. F. Boogan, J. Kyle, H. J. Bignell, and Al. J. Fogarty (secretary). ’"ln presenting the case for the horseowners, Mr. Byall stated that they were absolutely disgusted at the action of the Beefton Jockey Club in putting an advertisement in the “Argus" alleging that the Greymouth Club had ‘pinched’’ their racing date. The Reefton Club was very unfair ; the Greymouth Club had given them every facility and they had not appreciated it. He thought that it would be difficult to get nominations in future from the majority of owners if they persisted in abandoning : their meeting. If the Greymouth Jockey Club would agree to indemnify the Reef ton Club for any loss that might result if the fixture were held at Greyinouth, the owners were willing to accept reduced stakes in order to safeguard . the Greymouth Club. If the Keefton Club conducted their meeting at Reefton, however, the owners would not make a similar concession. If

the meeting were held at Omoto the

owners were willing to accept a reduction in stakes up to 50 per cent, if necessary. When communicated with by telephone that day, the Reefton Club said they were quite agreeable to consider any proposal from the Greymouth Jockey Club. Mr. Smith endorsed j\lr. Ry all’s remarks regarding ! the resentment felt against the Reefton Club. It was a matter for the Greymouth Club to decide whether it would take over any possible liability. The owners were willing to assist. Mr. Robertson spoke in a similar strain. The President said that the Club were not at all in good financial circumstances and during the past few weeks had had to meet an unexpected expenditure of £4OO. He did not want to say anything about the Reefton Club as they probably knew their own business best; but, so far as the Greymouth Jockey Club knew, the Reefton Club was in the best financial position of any Club on the West Coast. It must net be forgotten that the owners provided the sport; the Greymouth Jockey Club was anxious to help them so far as possible. The owners wanted the Reefton Jockey Club to conduct its meeting ; but they really wanted the “poor old Greymouth Jockey Club” to again carry the baby and. accept the responsibility for running the meeting, although it would be run under the name of the Reefton Club. He asked the deputation to withdraw until the Committee considered the proposal. Considerable discussion took place in Committee, and when the conference was resumed the President announced that it had been decided to agree to the proposal made by the owners, if satisfactory arrangements could be made with the Reef ton Jockey Club for the conduct of its meeting at Omoto. It had also been decided that the meeting be held on Monday next, if it were to be held at Omoto, after the Greymouth Club’s meeting on» Saturday next. The petition presented by the deputation contained the signatures of twenty-five horse-owners, and in reply to the President, Mr. Byall said that the names of the remaining owners would be secured. On behalf of the owners, he thanked the Greymouth Jockey Club for their consideration, and stated that the owners would guarantee the Club a “fair spin” if the meeting were held at Omoto.

The action of the Reefton Jockey Club in abandoning their autumn meeting has met witn general disapproval from, owners and public alike. A meeting of owners was held at the Post Office Hotel yesterday afternoon, Mr. J. Byall presiding. During a discussion, Mr. H. H. Smith said he understood that the Beefton Club were applying for June 3 in place of the present meeting, but in his opinion owners would not keep horses going for that date. Mr. Wilmott said it was unfair to both owners and trainers. Some Fad come a long way, and they should get all present at the meeting to sign a petition that they would not accord the Reef ton Jockey Club further support if they abandoned the meeting. Mr. J. Wingham moved that a wire be sent to the Reefton Club asking them to reconsider their proposal to abandon the meeting. Mr. seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously. It was then resolved to interview the Committee of the G.J.C., asking them

to allow the meeting to be run on their course. f

The Reef ton Club arranged to meet to-day and consider the question, but up to the time of the “Star" going •to press) the. Greymouth Club had not been advised regarding the decision. The settlement of 1 the strike, will again alter the position and may decide the Reefton Club to race at Reefton. COAST COURSES PBAISEB, The Secretary of the New Zealand Racing Conference (Air. H. R. Sellers, of Christchurch) is -visiting the West Coast on holiday, and is at present in Greymouth. He is now an enthusiastic' booster of the Franz Josef Glacier, saying that he had no idea there was such magnificent scenery in New Zealand. South Westland must have a wonderful future, says Mr. Sellers.

Referring to the Greymouth Jockey Club’s course at Omoto, Air. Sellers described it as a very pretty course, with quite good appointments. His inspection had shown him that the Club were making great improvements, and in his opinion the extension of the track to seven furlongs should bring some of the best horses in the South Island to future meetings. The availability of the Otira Tunnel would assist this desirable development and the future of the Club appeared particularly bright. The repairs to the grandstand had placed it in good condition, and he understood that the Club contemplated a further 60ft. extension to the stand, extra accommodation which would probably be required at an early date. He made special reference to the ambulance room at the course, and said that the Greymouth Jockey Club was deserving of congratulation upon the efforts it was making generally to improve the standard of racing and the comfort of patrons. The Westland Racing Club also had a nice little course, said Air. Sellers, and he was very pleased with it. It would be further improved when the proposed alterations were made to enable the six furlong events to be started on the straight instead of at a bend as at present.

Asked when he intended returning to Canterbury, Air. Sellers shrugged! his shoulders as he replied, philosophically, “That lies in the lap of the railwaymen.” Meanwhile, he is thoroughly enjoying his holiday visit to the Coast, which he last saw in 1910 with the 'Racing Commission.