RACING IN JAPAN

Hawera Star, Volume LI, 3 June 1932, Page 8

RACING IN JAPAN

BREEDING FOR CAVALRY HORSES. BETS BY TOTALISATOR, Tlio visit of the Japanese naval ships to Wellington lends interest to an- account of racing in Japan furnished to “Beacon,” of the Melbourne “Leader,” during their stay there. The gist of the officer’s remarks is as follows:- — The totalisator is tlio only medium for betting. Each racegoer is restricted to one bet on each race and it must be one of £2. The backer of a winner is not allowed to collect more than £2O. If a horse pays 1 over 9 to 1 the surplus goes to the club. No two-year-old racing is allowed. Horses may race from three years to six years. They must be retired at. the end of their sixth year. When a horse has won fifteen- races ho has 1o be, rotired. Tokio is the principal racing centre. A programme there usually consists- ot eleven events and a meeting is a long-drawn-out affair. The start is made at 9 a.m. and the finish is .just before d usk. The shortest distance for a race is a mile. Stakes- range from £OS to £3OO. No thoroughbred liorso may bo gelded in Japan. On the other hand, no horse mav be used for breeding purposes without the approval of the Government department in charge. The breeding of approved cavalry horses is the paramount aim of officials and of those who conduct racing and horsebreeding in Japan under Government supervision.