KARAPOTI'S SPEED.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20759, 30 December 1930, Page 9

KARAPOTI'S SPEED.

TRIUMPH IN KING'S PLATE. TIME RECORD EQUALLED. NIGHTMARCH AGAIN UNPLACED. It is ft long time since such a wellbalanced field has gone to the post for a weight-for-age race at Ellerslie as that which contested the King's Plate and the event created great interest, besides providing a mild surprise. The race was run in the fast time of 1.36 3-5, which equalled Thespian's race record and New Zealand record, established when Thespian sensationally defeated Gloaming in the race in 1920, which was then known as the Islington Plate.

It was generally expected that Nightmarch and Hunting Cry would dispute the issue at tho finish and they were considerably better backed than any of the others. Howover, calculations were upset when Kara,poti, fifth fancy in the field of six, hung on splendidly in the straight after setting a fast pace to score convincingly from Hunting Cry, who drew almost level at the distance.

A good start saw Karapoti, Hunting Cry and Cylinder begin best, Karapoti making tho running along the back from Hunting Cry arid Lady Pam, with the other three in a bunch. Passing the half-mile Karapoti was out two lengths from Hunting Cry and Lady Pam, who wer© together ahead of Toxeuma, Nightmarch and Cylinder, who was drifting. Railway Form Upset. Karapoti came into the straight a length clear of Hunting Cry, with Lady Pam, Toxeuma and Nightmarch following and Cylinder, who was being hard ridden by Gray, last. Once in line for the post Hunting Cry ranged up on the outside of Karapoti and momentarily looked like winning at tho distance. Then Karapoti went on again and drew out to beat Hunting Cry by a length and three-quarters. Toxeuma was half a length away third and Nightmarch was another two lengths away fourth. Cylinder and Lady Pam being well beaten. On tho first day Hunting Cry beat Karapoti over six furlongs in tho Railway Handicap when meeting the three-year-old on 41b. worse than weight-for-age terms, and Karapoti's win entirely upset that form. It now appears as if Karapoti was not seen at his best in the big sprint, aa there was certainly no fluke about hiß victory on this occasion. Setting a cracking pace from the start, private watches made the first half-mile 4fi 4-sr, Karapoti finished on brilliantly under the circumstances and there is not the slightest doube that up to a mile at least he is first-class. Nightmarch and Cylinder. Hunting Cry ran a stinging good race, always being closest to the winner and making a fine but abortive effort in the straight. Toxeuma was responsible for a solid showing, but Nightmarch and Cylinder displayed no dash at all. Three furlongs from home Nightmarch moved forward slightly, but could make no impression in the straight and Reed did not knock him about unduly when ho realised that his chance was hopeless. Cylinder cut up badly and Gray was hard at him at the turn, but he could make no response. Karapoti has an interesting history. Mr. M. H. Tims bought his dam, Kilbeggan, at auction for 14}gns. expressly for the purpose of mating her with General Latour in the hope that ho might breed another Te Kara, who raced in Mr. Tims' colours and was one of the best stayers in New Zealand a few years ago. Karapoti is the result of the mating. "Whether he will 6tny as well as Te Kara remains to be seen. As far as he has been tried he has performed brilliantly and breeding is in his favour.

BETTING TAXATION. EXPERIENCE AT RANDWICK. YIELD BELOW EXPECTATIONS. [FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.'] SYDNEY, Dec. 24. Villiers Stakes day at Ra.ndwic]i on Saturday was generally known as "tax" day, for it saw the inception of Mr. J. T. Lang's 10 per cent, tax on winning wagers with bookmakers. Judged by the attendance at Randwick and the results achieved, the tax is likely to prove a hopeless fiasco and, if persisted in, will do racing irreparable harm. The tax by itself might survive and achieve some result, but combined with the present economic conditions it is too great a hurdle. The attendance on Saturday showed a slump of about 28 per cent, and there was a totalisator decrease of £12,000. Young people stayed away for two reasons, shortage of cash and as a protest against the tax. Those present were most apathetic and failed even to express their feelings against the sharp reversal of form shown by Bawn-na-glas, who had run inglorioußly at Rosehill a week earlier.

Bookmakers in the back rows of the paddock ring did little or no business, and those in good positions and with good connections reported up to 75 per cent, decrease of business. It was estimated that about £9OOO, as against the £40,000 expected would be received in taxation over the new tax, but the State Government lost in tax on entrance fees and totalisator percentages approximately £2OOO. In addition there was a marked increase in shop betting at starting price, which being illegal, naturally is not taxed. In addition, starting-price bookmakers had agents collecting money at Randwick. Licensed bookmakers reported this to the Australian Jockey Club and there i 3 likeiy to bo some action. It will be hard to prove, for betting commissioners are regularly accepted institutions, and instruction to an individual to invest £SO on a horse may bo genuine or simply an evasion of the law. The telegraph offico at Randwick on Saturday was particularly busy, over 1000 more telegrams being sent. Many of those went to Victoria to starting-price bookmakers there. Regular racegoers soon realised this method of evading the tax. Several trainers are negotiating to transfer to Victoria and a number of the largest bookmakers aro not renewing their licences from the Government when they expire at the end of the year. These cost £175 for tho metropolitan area. Looking at the tax dispassionately, it might have survived at any ordinary time. At the present it is doomed to hopeless failure and an early revocation is expected. The business has not gone to the totalisator as expected by Treasury officials. One thing is sure. If tho tax stays. Sydney will lose its charm for New Zealand owners and trainers for reduction in stakes is a certainty.