Totalisator Turf Topics.

Free Lance, Volume VIII, Issue 400, 29 February 1908, Page 20

Totalisator Turf Topics.

By "The Tout."

THE New Zealand mar©, Munjeet, is now as good a favourite as anything foi the Newmarket Handicap. Her party have supported the daughter of Stepniak— Madder to win a fair stake, and it is obvious that Price, .her trainer, prefers her chance to that of Pink 'TJn, another occupant of the stable. Pink 'TJn went to Australia with a somewhat fictitious Teputation. His previous owner got some turf scribes to publish a statement that he had challenged the owner of MunjVet to race over six furlongs for £1000 a-side. This cock-and-bull stoT.v got into circulation, although the owner of Munjeet is said to have denied that he ever was approached re a match, and when Pink 'TJn was sold and taken to Australia it was discovered that his newspaper reputation had preceded him, and he received scant consideration at the hands of Australian handicappers, some of whom seem to have but little knowledge of the foTm of New Zealand horses. Wamki's brother, Seddon, is steadily coming into favour for the Newmarket Handicap. His owner paid up for Seddon in the richly-endowed futurity Stakes, run on Saturday last, and which was woni by Antonio (9st 81b). Seddon's weight, including a 71b penalty, would be Bst 121b. The Press Association's cabled report mentions that eleven horses ran in addition 4o those placed. Seddora is not mentioned amongst those prominent during the race. Munjeet, in running Mountain King to a head for second place, upheld ber New Zealand leputataon. Acceptances for the Wanganui Cup and FTving Handicap are not due until to-day (Friday), but from appearances good fields will contest the races. The Porirua pair, Marguerite and Gold Crest, will assist at the meeting. The mare will probably "take on" the Oup, and leave Gold Crest to do battle in the sprint event. Master DeTaval will meet Marguerite on no- less than 171b worse terms than in the same race last year. This serves to show what a hopeless task Prosser's mare was then set. Under the improved circumstances, there should be no doubt about Marguerite being found amongst the starters for the Cup. The Porirua stable hold a stiong hand in the Flying Handicap with Gold Crest (9st 51b). All Red (7st 131b), and Swimming Belt (7st 61b). The latter is a smaort colt, although not so good out of the barrier as his stable companions. Dawn and Motoa are another pair that can gallop six furlongs fast. Every now and then, among racegoing people, rumours are spread concerning a "jockeys' ring." which determines before each race which horse is to be first, and' which is to go at_ an obligingly slow pace towards the finish. The last story on the subject did not say explicitly that the ring existed, but it suggested this by implication. There is a racehorse-OWner, not very old in the sport, who saw one of _ his horses executing reversals of form in a puzzling way, until at last he was so disgusted with the rogue that he decided to let him go forth unbacked. Now he was a decent, kindly owner, who always treated his boys well, and apparently they thought that so goodnatured a boss ought not to be left withe cold altogether. What consultation and debate took place among the jockeys will never be known.', but it is related that, before the race started, a small, bow-legged youth came to the horse-owner in the saddling-paddock, and whispered low : "Say' You'd better 'aye a bit on your horse to-day, Mister. 'E's goin' ter win !" The English sporting press is awakening to the benefits conferred on the turf by the totalisator. "Country Life," a leading English sporting journal, says: "Last year's turn-over at the Paris pari mutuels is officially es>timated at the gigantic total of £12,000,000 . . This system is the only method of betting pennissable in 1 France, and the reason> for its adoption appears to be that by its means it is possible to lay a toll, in favour of several praiseworthy objects) an all who bet. . . Authorities argue .. . you will bet, that we know, therefore yoiu shall bet ion such a fashion that we can tax your betting operations. Thus out of the impost levied, £120,000 was allotted to the Government Stud Com-

missdoin, for the purchase of stallions . . . which, render such immanse service to the cause of horse-breeding in FTaaice." The writer in "Country Life" then proceeds to bewail the fact that breeders in England receive neither recognition nor support from the nation, and remarks that "in the enormous sums of money which annually change hands in betting transactions there is clearly a hitherto untapped source of revenue which, if rightly used, would do. much lo maintain the national industry of horse-breeding at its proper level, but before that can be brought about betting must be legalised, and in that h©s the whole crux of the matter." Andy Ferguson, a piominent Victorian trainer, recently returned to Melbourne after a two-years' sojourn at Newmarket (England), chatting about Newmarket trainers, is reported to have said that they are fine, friendly fellows, have fine establishments, and dress for dinner every evening. (This would just suit Messis W Da vies, Josh Prosser, Bob Gooseman, etc.) The fee far training is £2 10s per horse per week, but most trainers get a salary un addition to fees. Speaking of jockeys, Ferguson mentioned that many get big -retaining fees, and are very liberal m their expenditure. Hewitt, the New Zealand jockey Ferguson considers started badly. The first thing he did on arrival in England was to buy a motor-car and go dashing about the place with all the style of an ambassador. However, Ferguson states that before he left England Hewitt had dropped the car, and "began to attend the tracks, Teady and anxious to ride training gallops. Ferguson says that there is no doubt about Hewitt's ability, and now he has settled down he is pretty sure to get, plenty of Tiding. Ferguson brought a few horses to Australia, and intends settling down in the land of his birth.