AUCKLAND RACING CLUB.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20024, 14 August 1928, Page 14

AUCKLAND RACING CLUB.

the annual meeting. ELECTION OF OFFICE-BEARERS. The annual meeting of members of the Auckland Racing Club was held yesterday, tho president. Sir Edwin Mitclielson, presiding over rv large attendance. In moving the adoption of tho report and balance-sheet, the president congratulated tnembers on the result of last season 8 opera* tions, which resulted in a profit of .£15,077. After writing-off £13,155 for depreciation. £l9-2'2 remained to be carried forward to capital account, which now stood at .£119,710 It would no doubt be satisfactory to members to know the value of the club's freehold property, purchased over 50 years ago, was still shown in the club's books at tho original purchase price. In framing the programme for the year 1928-29, t,ho committee had decided to revert, to eifiht races a clay at the Spring meeting. However, there would still only bo seven races u. day at the winter meeting. Tho amount paid in stakes last year was XG'I,2OO, in addition to £3lO in sweepstakes provided by owners

Referring to criticism of tho club's do cision to change, the date of its spring meeting from November to October, made by the president of the Avondalo Jockey Club, Sir Edwin said the statements were entirely without justification. Tho alteration in dates was discussed for sovernl years by the club committee before a decision was reached There was no doubt the change had, benefited racing to a great extent, as horses entered in classic races could now race first at Avondale, then at Auckland, Wellington and Christchurcb in sequence, whereas previously horses entered in spring classics could not race both at Auckland and Christchurch. The alteration would also prove a benefit to the Avondale Club.

Mr. C. E. Major said he was pleased to notice a further reduction had been made in the club's bank overdraft, but it was still higher than he would like to see it. The charges account showed an increase, but he believed this could be explained satisfactorily.

" I have lons been an advocate of the 10s toialisator." Mr. Major said, " but I am willing to accept the dictum of the committee that the time has not yet arrived for us to use it and that by doing so we may lose money. I noticed, however, that during the era of the IDs totalisator in the members' stand the aisles were crowded, but since the amount was raised to £'l there is nothing like the same crowd." The president said it was quite impossible to reduce tho overdraft appreciably while improvements to tho course were in progress. "As far as the charges account is concerned. I will explain its position, although it is not very pleasant for mo to do so," he said. " Upon Mr. Major's own motion two or three years ago, the committee decided to carry out his idea that some memorial should be erected to me. It was against my wish, and £2700 has already been paid for the erection of the memorial." Two proposals to amend the club rules in the direction of increasing tho number of members of the committee and of providing for all stewards to be elected by members, were defeated by a Large majority upon being submitted tp ballot. A vote of sympathy was passed with the relatives of the late Hon } R. P. Bollard, Minister of Internal Affairs, members standing in silence. The following officers were elected:—Presi dent, Sir Edwin Mitchelson; vice-president, Mr. H\ 0. Nolan; committee, Messrs. M. M. McCallum. 0. Nicholson, C. A. Brown, Fred Earl and W. Claud Motion. Messrs. \V. C. King, G. A. Wynyard and M. J. Lynch were re-elected as stewards appointed by members. Tho only change in 'officebearers is that Mr. Motion replaces Mr. S. Bradley as a member of tho committee. NOTES BY PHAETON. GRAND NATIONAL. STEEPLECHASE. Judging from the references to hand from Eiccarton anent the impending Grand National Steeplechase, the situation is not such as to call up tho enthusiastic note, and it is not hard to discern that considerable doubt exists as to the number that will complete the course. Beau Cavalier having romped over his opponents last year—and though, of course, with 12.5 he is confronted with a much more severe task than that .of 12 months back—the fact cannot be disputed that ho mastored the big fences at Riccarton at the first attempt in a dashing manner. Tuki knows all about Hiccarton, and, as he has stood up in all his races . there, which includes a Grand National victory, he must bo accepted as having claims for support. The Quin Abbey golding is credited with carrying his 12 years remarkably well and there is some encouragement to expect him to play a part in the settlement of the Question. MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. The defeat of the English colt Flamingo in the Grand Prix de Paris, it is said, resulted in a good parcel of English gold being left on tho French side of the Channel. Mr. C. E. Haasa.ll, of Timnru. has been appointed handicappcr to the Dunedin Jockey Club. Mr. H'assall framed the handicaps for the club's winter meeting, and tho success that attended his work in connection with the gathering marked him out ] for tho appointment.

Apparently Spearfelt is training on satisfactorily, for he is stated to have been well backed recently for the Melbourne Cup, in which he figures top-weigh't with 9.12. In 1026 Spearfelt won the Melbourne Cup under 9.3, so that ho is now called upon to carry 9lb. in excess of that impost. A young horse that has placed himself well in the limelight in the decision of important jumping events in Victoria during the paßt few weeks is the five-year-old Sir Alogy, who won the Australian Hurdle Race and later on, in his first effort in a cross-country event, registered a dashing victory in the Australian Steeplechase. Sir Alogy is a son of tho imported horse Analogy (son of Dark Ronald) and the Monitor mare Dainty Step. Sir Alogy is owned by a good sportsman in Mr. A. T. Creswick and the fact that he bred the horse adds greatly to the pleasure of tho victories registered by the gelding. Royal Damon, who has conic into prominence as a candidate for honours in tho Winter Cup, is a. six-year-old son of Polydainon and the Merry Moment mare Royal Moment. Last season he contested '25 races and his record at that stage of his career waa five wins, three times second, three limes third and It times unplaced. The victory he regis tcrcd in the Stonyhurst Handicap (soven furlongs) at the Manawatu Autumn Meeting last April could be cited as his most noteworthy performance, for he carried 9.13 and beat, a field of to easily in tho good time of lm 26 2-sb. Royal Damon figures third top-weight in tho Winter Cup with 10.3 opposite his name. According to Riccarton advices to hand, Count C'nvour continues to make good advance in his preparation, and the prediction is offered that, in the event of nothing unforeseen occurring, the son of So'ferino will bo quite ready for a solid race in the spring. In the event of "The figuring in the field for the approaching New Zealand Cup, ho will have tho record ol contesting tho big raco at Riccarton in four succesive years. In the race of 1025 he carried 8.8 into third place behind The Banker (8.1) and To Kara (0.2). Tho following year saw him lead tho field home under 8.13, but in last year's contest ho failed to gain a place under 0.(5, ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. " Wager."—-According lo tho records publisted, Tarlcton ruled favourite for the Neiv Zealand Cup of 1904. " Kea." Mangere.-rAt six year? old Beau Cavalier (0.2) ran unplaced in the Hunt Club Hurdles at I he. Auckland Racing Club's Winter Meeting /if 1926, It was in tho spring of 192(5, at tho Pnkurnwja Hunt Club's meeting tfaat ho ran second in the Hunters' Hurdlo Race,