SPORTING.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 10 July 1924, Page 6

SPORTING.

WELLINGTON MEETING. (liy TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION.) WELLINGTON, July 9. There was a large attendance for the opening of the Wellington winter meeting to-day, which was held in perfectweather. The track was in good order and there were big fields in each event. The totnlisatnr handled £'47,8115 Ids, comapre dwith £'38,917 10s last year. Results: Vittoria Hurdles, one mile and threequarters. —Merry Singer (A. McDonald) 1, Demand 2. Admiral Codrington 3. Also started - - Tenterfield, Solfa nello, R-adiac, Royal Fame, Billy Gluten, Polthogue. Time, 3.23. Stewards’ Handicap, six furlongs.— Rose of Athens (C. France) 1, Lady Fingers 2, Koodoo 3. Also started: Ecuador, Dancing Days, Wassail, Soliforrn. Lady Ridicule, Alaric, Toma, Paddy’s Hope, Cleasanin, Aeriform. En tie Nous, Avonlea, Backsheesh, Rafa, The Bolter. Won by a neck, a neck between second and third. Time, 1.18.

Hack Steeplechase, two miles and a half.—Eirebhgiit (A. McDonald) 1, Bustler 2.." Rowan 3. Also started : Galway, Kovno, Guanaco, Gaze, Killard, Scintillation, Sansalino. Won by five lengths, lot) yards between second and'third. Time, 5.27 3-5. Trial Plate, six furlongs.—Gardenia (M. McCarten) 1, Sun Up 2, Ma Boughal 3. Also started: Thorndale, Markie, Papaponga, Tikima, Prompter, Lady Gay, Bonena, Ardfinnan, Peach Brandy. Ivilmar, Tanadees, Pleasant Surprise, Clarinda, Seakist, Calm Eve, Pantrymaid, Degage, Dazzling Light. Slump. Won by three-quarters of a length, a head between second and third. Time, 1.19 4-3. Winter Hurdles, two miles and a iquaiter.—Nukumai (W. Bowden) 1, Maunga 2, Lochson 3. • Also started: [Vagabond, First,, Born, Alteration, Sir Rosebery, Tinokalia, Boomerday, Lochella, Prince Rufus, Omahu, Captain Sarto, En Route, Mandrake, Penury Rose, Oakleigh, Santiago, Le Forte. Won by two and a half lengths, three lengths between second and third. Time, 4.49 2-5. Parliamentary Handicap, one mile and a quarter.—lncome (H. Gray! 1, Arch Salute 2, Prince Ferouz 3. Also started : Sunart, Musketoon, Boadicea, Comical, Cold Steel, Merry Day, Winning Hit, Silent .King, Megan, Lady Ben, Printemps, Syeorax. Won by two lengths, one length between second and third. Time, 2.17 4-5. High-Weight Handicap, one mile and a quarter - . —Miss Mickey (P. Raynor) 1, Goldpiece 2, Proclaim 3.- Also started : Militaire, .Cartoon, Birkenella, Uralla, Bodyguard, Dominant, Empyrean, Te Maire, San Forte, Achillean, Kohu, Kyoto. Won by two lengths, two lengths and a half between second and third. Time, 2.45 1-5. Te Aro Handicap, seven furlono-s Brigadier:,Bill (L. G. Morris) 1, Kuhio 2. Knighthood'3. Also started: Te Kawa, Tussore. Mountain Signal Alabama, Barn Owl, Puketoi, ° Carnbee, Kilfaire, Tinohari, Bright Eyes, Interest, Gluement, Otauru, Sir Moment Salamis, Enthuse, Treadwell. Won by a neck, two lengths between second anil third. Time. 1.37.

NOTES OX THE RACING. (By Telegraph—From, Maecenas) ■ WELLINGTON, July 10. me Wellington Ratung Club were favoured witn beautiful weather for the opening day, and despite several heavy frosts, tne race track was in order, nut slightly on the “dead, side.'’ The attendance was good, and speculation was deidedly brisk. Admiral Codrington (£1050) and Merry Singer (025) practically monopolised the betting in the Vi t tori a Handles. Royal Fame and Solfanello, with just over £SOO each, were next in oraer of favouritism. Billy Gluten and Merry Singer led over the early stages from Admiral Codrington and Royal fume. Going down the back stretch, Merry Singer drew clear of his held, and Royal Fame took second berth, with Admiral Codrington and Demand most prominent of the others. At the penultimate jump Merry Singer was still weil clear of Demand, and Admiral Codrington and Demand lost several lengths at the jump. Merry Singer took the Jast fence full of running, -and won under a pull from Demand, which finished on well to, beat Admiral Codrington with the fast-finish-ing Teiiterfieid fourth. .-joliform. with jivrTt over £IOOO, was a big favourite for the Stewards. Others well supported were Alarm £775, Russell’s pair. Dancing Days and Paddy’s Hope (£55()), Rafa and Yoma £510). When the positions of the leading division could lie picked out it was found that Ladv Fingers and Dancing Days were in front from Ecuador and Rose of Athens. Lady Fingers was the leader when the straight was entered, but a furlong from the post Rose of Athens got to the lead, and ridden, out beat Lady Fingers hv a fair margin, with Koodoo and Avonlea close up, followed bv Lady Ridicule and Soliform. Yoma was well up all the way, and was about seventh. Ral'a, which, was well up, met with interference at the barrier. Bustler (£1225), Gave (£1075) and Galway. (£000) were the favorite trio for the Hack Steeples. When the held was despatched Bustler immediately went to lead Gnam-.co and Galway to the first fence, at which Gaze lost his rider and Scintillation baulked. Bustler continued to lead Rowan. Fireblight and Galway to the fourth jump, where Galway fell. Coming to the stand. Bustier had a useful lead over Fireblight, Killard and Rowan. Half a mile from home Fireblight went up to Bustler and the pair lose together at the last jump, but once ever Fireblight drew away to beat Bustler by several lengths. Rowan was many lengths away, third, with Guanaeo and Killard the only orders to finish. Gardenia, with McCarlen in the saddle, carried nearly £I7OO in the Trial Plate, with Jorgensen’s pair (Ala Boughal and Tanadees) £1125 second favourites. Stump and Sum Up were the sarlv leaders, and at the course proper Sum Up was in front from Gardenia, with Ala Boughal close no. Over the final stages the three named fought out a great finish. Gardenia finishing best to beat Sum Up, who was lucky to beat Ma Boughal. Tanadees was fourth. The betting public made Boomerday (£1100) a good favourite from Nukumai (£775). Loch son (£550), and First Born and Altoraton (£SOO each). From' the barrier rise Tinokaha rushed to the front, and approaching the first jump Nukumai and En Route' were his closest followers. At the stand Tinokahn (running out at his jumps badly) was well clear of Nukumai, En Route, Captain Sarto, and Lochson. Going up the back stretch Nukumai and Tinokaha were loading En Route. ALaunga, Captain Sarto, Prince Rufus, and Lochson. Approaching the homo tuVn Nukumai drew’ out, and was clear of Maunga, Lochson and Alteration at the last jump. Tn the run to the post Nukumai had lttle difficulty in coming on to beat Alnunga by three lengths, with Lochson another two lengths away.

with Alteration and Omalui following. Several of the runners for the Parliamentary Handicap had plenty of supporters and when betting ceased Afusketooir (£1075), Income (£950), • Comical (£850) ami. Arch Salute (£075) were the bettors’ choices. When the barrier rose Printemps began w’ell and led Winning Hit, Megan, Boadicea and Prince Ferouz over the early stages. Going up the back stretch Printemps was still in the lead, and Musket-oon soon got into second place, with .Megan, Income and Prince Ferouz well placed. Turning into the straight Musketoon and Printemps were just in front, of Income and Arch Salute. Two furlongs from home Income hit the front and staying on well won by three lengths from Arch Salute, with Prince Ferouz close up. Then some distance away came Winning Hit, Boadicea, Comical and Cold Steel. The last named was last but. one six furlongs from home' and finished well. For the High. Weight Handicap TJnilla was backed down to “evens,” but after leading Alilitaire and Proclaim into the straight, he tired badly, and Aliss Mickey, sustaining a great run, won very easily from Gold Piece, with Proclaim and Urulla in third and fourth places. Racing closed with the Te Aro Hack, for which event Barn-Owl (£950), Interest (£800), Kilfaire (£000) and Te Knwa each were “in. the market.” When the tapes rose Atauru began quickly and led Tussore and Barn Owl over the early stages. Rounding the home turn Tussore was just in front, of Barn Owl; Brigadier Bill and Te Kawa. Over the last furlong Brigadier Bill and Kuliio fought out a great battle. ‘ Brigadier Bill just winning, while Knighthood and Kilfaire' did best of ! the others.

NEW ZEALAND RACING CONFERENCE. PRESIDENT’S REPORT. Sir George presidential report to tbe New Zealand Racing Conference in Wellington this morning stated inter alia : “The racing season now closing will be memorable for the remarkable scries of successes in Australia of horses ined or owned in New Zealand, a e.ear tribute to the climatic advantages insuring to these islands predominance in an industry destined to increasing importance. A promising trade already sc well advertised should be fostered. Strangely enough, we find its very toundation threatened by a load of taxation it is obviously unable to support. We have ever claimed that our racing clubs are worthy of all encouragement as beneficial to the physical and moral Health of the community, while their prosperity is essential to the financial and other advantages accruing .to the Dominion from their existence. Chm main task at this year’s meeting is to plead earnestly for a just, reduction of the. burdens recently imposed upon us. It is a matter of life or death to most of our clubs, and therefore calls for most urgent relief. in the first instance one club paid £3860 to the Government, although making a loss of £470 on its race meeting. Another club iiaid £1360 in Government taxes, and made a loss of £450; and a further, instance discloses the fact that although the club made a loss of £641, the Government received £4952, and these are very far from being exceptional instances.

Tire taxation paid during the season is set forth in the following figures:— TotaKsator tax '(2) per cent), £140,629 11s lid; dividend tax (5 per cent.), £251,971 14s Id-; stakes tax (10 per cent.), reduced to 5 per cent, from March 31, 1924, . £37,477 8s; .receipts tax (2-jr per cent.), £3876 Is, sd; amusement tax, £16,316 5s 3d; land tax, £2196 14s sd; total, £452,467 15s Id ; local rates, £6677 6s BcL Our clubs have unmurmuringly borne a specially heavy taxation while the Empire’s needs_ might seem to require it; they subscribed generously from their funds at the outset of the Great War, and in the result they find themselves now with purses depleted, faced with impositions which will before long involve their collapse. Relief front the consequent strain should be conceded not only on the inequity of the apportionment of contribution, but on the impolicy of withdrawing from the people so valuable an open-air recreation. We may fairly expect that the muchneeded amendment of the Gaming Act will become law this session. AVe look for the removal of the wholly absurd prohibition of the publication of dividends. Why should the public be shut off from news which law-breakers circulate freely among themselves and to their confederates? AVe desire permission to remit investments to clube on race. days. Telegraph facilities are given to lawbreakers, and utilised by them. AYhy not to the law-abiding citizens? We ask for the right to run races in efivisions where runners would exceed a safe number. Refusal of this provision will endanger lives, and on whom will the respoinhibility then fall? We petition for such an increase in the days of racing as will satisfy the reasonable requests of cetrain clubs, and will meet the requirements of increasing population, and the development of hitherto backward districts. Our proposals carry their own justification. Murmurs of disapproval arise only from two quarters incongruously allied. One wing of the opposition should be disregarded as open flouters of the law, the other as too prejudiced to understand the merits of our institution. 1 have always been convinced that the man, however well intenlioned. who strives to persuade his neighbour that an iuuoccut act is a •sin is himself responsible, and gravely responsible for the commission of any imaginary sins into which he has thus frightened his auditors. In reporting that the ninth volume of the X.Z. Stud Book has just been issued I may once again remind any defaulting breeders and owners of the folly of neglecting their foaling returns. Omissions or confusion of. pedigrees May easily bring loss as a consequence, and- incompleteness in these records often leads to embarrassment.

The work of the stipendiary stewards, good as it is, would have been still more beneficial had sufficient power been given to them to secure uniformity in dealing with many phases of racecourse management. An extension of their authority is greatly to be desired. The action of the racecourse inspectors has been of incalculable assistance in the maintenance of order both on our courses and in towns during race time. Those birds of ill omen who used to swoop, down wherever crowds assemble no longer pollute our enclosures, and have to seek other hunting grounds for their* prey. Apart from the clearance of courses, the inspectors have been of considerable help to officials of clubs, and to the executive of this conference, and, it may he added, generally to the guardians of order. The trustees of the accident fund have been faced with rather heavier claims than usual. These may he somewhat accounted for by the imperfect schooling of horses over fences, and by the adoption of a short stirrup in jumping races. The power of the stipendiary stewards to regulate the length of the stirrup leather in such races may well he rigorously exercised. In view of the credit balance in their

trust account the trustees do not regard it as advisable id alter the fees payable by owners in a .season when conditions are otherwise so adverse to them. They desire, however, to remind all concerned that the fee, though ensuring relief to the injured jockey, is in the first place an insurance of the individual owner against liis legal liability. The Licensing Committee lias abtmdint evidence that its supervision lias tended to the welfare of the trainers and jockeys, and that the more uniform operation of (Jhe necessary regulations lias been welcomed by the great majority of them. Their desire is as strong as ours can be to keen the tone of their professions at the highest level possible. I cannot conclude without a reproach to the railway management for what appears to me its short-sighted policy in regard to the transport of racehorses. In many cases the cost is absolutely prohibitive to the horse-owner, and the retention of a horse in his home stable is usually tlie sacrifice of many fares. The least the department can do to satisfy us and protect their own returns is to give the former concession of a single fare for the double journey.