DECREASE IN BETTING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20960, 25 August 1931, Page 7

DECREASE IN BETTING.

TURNOVERS STILL FALLING. REDUCED STAKES FOLLOW. POSITION OF COUNTRY CLUBS. Last season, when there was a considerable decrease in tin volume of bolting at the various racing and trotting meetings throughout New Zealand, it wns thought that bedrock had just about been reached, but it is obvious from the figures for tho several meetings that have been held this month that there is going to bo a further fall this season. All the clubs which have raced this term have experienced a further decrease in totalisator investments, the Poverty Bay Hunt dropping from £6290 last year to i!4G97 10s, the Canterbury Jockey Club from £120,831 lCs to £90,050, the Pakuranga Hunt from £34,371 10s to £22,420 and the Metropolitan Trotting Club from £101,178 10s to £76,91(5

As f°r as th, Pakuranga Hunt is concerned, the totalisator turnover for this year's meeting was the lowest since 1916. when the amount handled was £21,403, and till the indications point to the totalisator figures generally being back to where they were about 20 years ago. How sudden the fall has been is instanced by the fact that lie turnovei on Saturday, when the weather and other circumstances were entirely ravourable for a successful meeting, was just slightly over half the sum handled at the meeting in 1929. There is no disguising the fact, that the outlook for racing in the current season is far from bright, and, with totalisator speculation steadily falling, stakes also must necessarily come down.

Already many »l the clulis have made provision for a reduction in stakes and that there will have to he further reductions is certain. Metropolitan clubs, which wjll still b® abb* to provide fairly good stakes, arc not likelv to fee' the position n.s much as the country clubs, some of which are going to have difficulty in carrying on their meetings without serious lons. Whether it is advisable for some of them to carry on under present conditions is a matter which the executives will have lo cousider very carefully. Las', week there was a meeting of delegates from country clubs in the. Auckland Province, when suggestions concerning the amalgamation of certain clubs and the. centralisation of racing in country districts were discussed.

No definite decision was arrived nt, but it is certain that the position will have to he moro fully reviewed. It does not, seem likely that there will be. anv reduction or remission in taxation, which some clubs are seeking, and the fut iro of many clubs must remain very doubtfal. It might ha better for owners, trainers and clubs generally if racing were more centralised under present conditions, but difficulty may arise in this respect by reason of the fact that clubs which have been racing for years will not care to lose, their identity. Tho position is fraught with difficulties and the solution must rest with those in control of racing. The sport is certainly passing through a critical period, and. unless thero is nri improvement in conditions shortly, there may be some drastic changes before ,he close of the current season. TRAINING AT TRENTHAM. GAY COURT'S GOOD GALLOP. HISTORIC IN FINE FORM. The grass track at Trentham was open for fast galloping on Saturday for the first time for over a fortnight, but the going was dead. Several horses who will be required to race in tho near future were speeded up. Ephialtes was the first work, doing a round at a steady pace. False Scent was allotted a similar task. Gay Court stepped over five furlongs in 1.6 2-5, coming home the last half-mile in 51 4-ss. This proved to be the beat gallop of the morning. Movietone and Cape Gold ran sis furlongs in 1.23, and Lady Pam and Maritime did a similar distance comfortably in 1.22. Cottesmore (Hunting Song— C'rubeen) and Joie <le Val sprinted three furlongs iu 395. finishing together. Cottesmore, the only horse that Mr. H. P. F. Blundell now has to represent him. had two races last year as a two-year-old, and was then let up. This was his first fast gallop since his re-

turn. Hine Wehi, Toxeuma's half-aister, who lias grown into an attractive filly, trotter! and cantered twice round, and sprinted down the straight the last time, Matin Chimes, only of pony stature, showed plenty of pace over a short journey by sprinting three furlong 3 in 37 4-os. Historic and Granado were not extended to run six furlongs in 1.27, the last halfmile in 56 1-53. Historic was very keen and drew right away from Granado over the lost couDle cf furlongs. It is doubtful if Historic has ever looked so bright and well as he is at present. Although formerly regarded as a lazy worker, he is now full of enthusiasm on the track. Foulwind (Cape Horn—Melting Moment.) surprised her trainer, G. Jones, by outclassing Fairwind (Cape Horn —-Rac Fair) over half a mile in 52 1-Ss. Ihis filly has not yet raced, showing signs of soreness after being broken in last year, but she looks perfectly sound now, and, iudged on her track woik, should win races this season. , Cimabue. looking well, was another who was not asked for a fast trial. The best etTort by the two-year-olds was recorded by H. Telford's pair, the lea Tray —Zany colt and the Tea Tray—Lady Violet gelding, and by J. McLaughlin s Pombal—Veil colt, who sprinted three furlongs together. The Zany colt finished a coed length in front of the Veil colt, with the Lady Violet gelding not far back, lne time for the distance was 37 l-ss—a smart performance. The Zany colt had the inside running, and the Veil colt s effort was probablv as cood as his. for it was ascertained afterwards that he had run of! the track at the top of the straight.

NOTES FROM EVERYWHERE. TRACK AND STABLE GOSSIP. Paris and Apache, who are back again in Invercargill after an absence of about three months, are to be given a good spell. On his return to Hawke's Bay after the Grand National meeting, the steeplechaser Bon Aryan was sent to his owner e station for a spell.

The mare. Warlove. by Martian from Stepdancer. owned by Mr. G. G Holmes, of Christchurcb, has foaled a colt to Kapler. The foal is a half-brother to the speedy Spoon, a Tea Tray mare, who is likely to win good races later in the season.

It F,llis of Biccarton. has broken in a two-year-old colt by Arrowsmitb from Finora The youm-sler i" well grown and ia bred on speed-.- lines, his dam. by I-in-land from Trsbelli. being a sister to Will Oakland and a half-sister to Desert Song.

Several Auckland horsemen will be riding nt the Taranaki Hunt Meeting at Ispw Plymouth on Saturday. H. Wikiis w.ll steer Monaghan and Mivn Chatter, I'■ Duli"u, Silver Feni and Sir Moment, and II Dulieu. Nimblefoot.

LI Goldfinch, who has been located at, Te Awamutu for some months past, intends to make his headquarters at. lakanini again It is probable that Goldfinch will ride Hisrh Comedy, Tea Trader and others of Mr. It. T. Reid's horses when the weights suit

I"»i!cms present arrangements are altered, j. Nixon will- return to Gishorne to-day with the Jellicoe Handicap winner, Malahat. If all goes well in the meantime. Malahat may be brought back to Auckland to compete nt the Avondale Jockey Club s meeting next, month.

The three-year-old Monastic is tn be sent to Riccarton to undergo his training for this season's racing, as the West Coast tracks are not in good order at present on account of rain. The Pombal colt is credited with having furnished out. of all knowledge. He showed plenty of speed early last season and he should run good races later on.

Hamilton Park was sore after Ins race in the Dunedin Handicap at, the Pakuranga Hunt, ?,!.'fMia and Iho hind foint he knocked before ihe meeting i" still giving some trouble. It is anticipated that the injury will vield to treatment nuickly and Ha nipt «n Park should be quite recovered in a few days.

F Christmas has several additions to his team at Kiccarlon. These include Bed Arrow, a. four-year-old bv Arrowsnnth from l!ed Queen, the dam of Master Clarence, find a two-year-old colt by Robespierre from Lady Swinton He has also recommissioned Minerval. who showed a pood deal of promise last season and may now make a useful stayer.

Sir Charles Clifford contemplates a trip to Wancrnnui next month with Cricket Wat and Zeebrutrge, with the Guineas as their special mission. Both of these Winning Hit three-year-olds have done well lately. Cricket Bnt having had a few sprints, in which it has been apparent fhut, ho retains his speed. Zeebrutrpe raced at frenthnm last month, and, although he has_ not done a great deal since then, ho looks in excellent health.