DULL BRITISH RACING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20086, 25 October 1928, Page 14

DULL BRITISH RACING.

PLEASURES TAKEN SADLY. AUSTRALIAN'S NOVEL OFFER. Australian and N.Z. Press Association. LONDON. Oct. '2,' l. Sir Joynton Smith, of Sydney, visited Newmarket racecourse at the invitation of tho Daily Express. He made a remarkable offer to lease the Newmarket or Epsom course for £20,000 a year for 10 years, conditionally on being allowed 15 racing days a year. Sir Joynton said he would bear the losses cr pay half the profits to charity, if necessary, to populariso racing. In this way the prize money would be increased, lie describes Newmarket ns a "cemetery of gaiety." The grandstand, he said, was like the top of a woolshed. The crowd was small and sullen. There was not a singlo laugh or a smile. The whole thing was like a funeral with no band, no flowers, and no colours. Tho bookmakers were like an open-air convention of bankrupt moneylenders. If the Jockey Club accepts the offer he guarantees to popularise racing on Australian lines. He would tear up the dismal stone pavings at Newmarket and substitute gardens, shrubs, and fountains, and would place the bookmakers beneath brilliantly-coloured sunshades. Sir Joynton would employ a first-class military band, open better restaurants and a buffet, and create the spirit of carnival. If the bookmakers, who are at present the owners of the course, boycotted Him he would return blow for "blow, and import his own bookmakers and install a totalisator as soon as it was legal. " I have met competition before in Australia. I opened a course free, operated a line of coaches to it free, and beat my opponents. I have the money necessary to carry out my offer. There is only one traditional penalty to being caught bluffing—you lose the pool. If anyone calls my hand he can see it. He may also shuffle and cut before the deal." Tho Daily Express says that doubtless tho racing potentates will smile at the offer, but they -would do well to ponder on it, as the idea is right.