MINIMUM SCALE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22777, 10 July 1937, Page 13

MINIMUM SCALE

NEW ORDER OPPOSED EARNINGS OF APPRENTICES "WASTING NOT DETRIMENTAL" [by tklegiuph—own correspondent] WELLINGTON, Friday At tho expressed wish of tlio Hon. W. E. Parry, Minister of Internal Affairs, tho Racing Conference last year passed a resolution recommending all clubs to prescribe a minimum weight of 7.7 for all handicap flat races. In his presidential report to tho annual meeting of the conference in Wellington to-day Mr. J. S. McLeod, Hawke's. Bay, expressed his pleasure that all clubs had loyally carried out that recommendation, but, as tho result of many objections to tho 7.7 minimum, the executive committee had decided to call upon all clubs, liandicappers and licensed trainers to give their opinions either for or against tho new minimum and to state their

reasons. The result of this consultation, said Mr. McLeod, was that only 13 clubs out of 93 favoured the 7.7 minimum; only one handicapper was in favour, simply for tho reason that tho three clubs for which he handicaps were unable to procure lightweight riders for their district. One other handicapper, Mr. J. E. Henrys, favoured a 7.0 minimum in the two principal flat races on each day and a 7.7 minimum in other races, excepting those in which apprentice jockeys were eligible to ride, when the minimum he favoured was 7.5. Of all the licensed trainers consulted, onl.y 17 were in favour of the 7.7. minimum. There was not tho slightest doubt that an overwhelming majority of clubs, liandicappers and . trainers were against the new provision. In addition, tho president produced a very interesting . comparison of riding fees earned by . jockeys and apprentices for 10 months up *<) May 31 last under the 7.0 'minimum* against the same period this: year under tho increased scale. Comparison oi Earnings 111 the 1935-3(3 period under review the number of startors was 13,154 and the gross riding fees totalled £35,58:3 9s 9d. Of this sum, tho 255 jockeys earned £26,819 15s 9d and tho 95 apprentices £8762 14s. In the current season there wero 13,452 starters and tho gross riding fees were £40,019 4s 6d. The 244 jockeys earned £31,928 4s lOd of this and tho 112 apprentices £BO9O 19s 6d. This showed that tho gross riding fees had increased by £4436 14s 9d, tfiat the fully-Hedged jockeys had earned collectively £SIOB 9s 1(1 more, but that the apprentices' earnings had been reduced by £671 14s 4d. These figures, Mr. McLeod claimed, unquestionably supported the opinions expressed by the great majority of trainers, who were finding it very difficult to obtain rides for their apprentices and further embarrassment m securing the employment of lads on account of their reduced earning power. Further, said tho president, the 7.7 minimum acted very harshly on the moderate horses —and their number was legion—as no handicapper would crucify the good horse for the moderate one. Good-class three-year-olds were also badly placed, especially in the spring. The good-class two-year-olds of the previous year wero weighted well above weight-for-age and owners and trainers were averse to racing three-year-olds under those conditions. Apart from those salient facts, duo consideration had been given to the humanitarian side of the question, which was the object of the Minister's wish for the 7.7. minimum. Methods of Reducing Weight To reduce weight, jockeys employed one of three methods, the use of which depended entirely on the constitution of tho jockey. They were tho uso of aperient medicine, sweating and a light diet. Walking exercise in sweaters, with abstemiousness at table, should be preferred by tho jockey to tho excessive use of medicine to reduce weight. As to what effect abstinence and sweating had upon health and strength, medical opinions were that neither the one nor the other was impaired when that method was used in moderation. To the question, " Aro jockeys accustomed to severe wasting, healthy and long-lived?" medical men replied: " Their health does not appear to be injured by wasting nor does the continuance of -life appear to be affected by it."v A person continually employed as a rider was less fatigued by riding and had more strength when moderately reduced than when allowed to live as he pleased, continued Mr. McLeod. Ho thought that the 7.7 minimum had been an incentive for the older matured and particularly good jockeys to try to: get their weight down to that levol, whereas they would not think of attempting to reduce to 7.0. From the; humanitarian point of view, he thought the 7.7 minimum had increased tho number of jockeys sweating and using other methods of reducing weight. With all due respect for the Hon. W. E. Parry's wishes, tho speaker was satisfied that the result he desired would not be achieved by adopting tho 7.7 minimum. RULE REINSTATED FLAT MINIMUM AGAIN 7.0 APPRENTICES* WIDER SCOPE [BY TELEGRAPH—PRESS ASSOCIATION] ' ' V' .' WELLINGTON, Friday According to a 'remit passed at the annual meeting of delegates to ' the New Zealand Racing Conference" today; a recommendation passed at the last conference for a 7.7. minimum in flat races-was rescinded and a rule was' made reverting to the 7.0 minimum. Rule 260 was altered to <read: — "Every apprentice jockey who has not ridden 30 winners shall be to claim an allowance, which shall be 51b. in tho case of one who has ridden more than ten winners, but not more than 20 winners, and 31b. in the caso of ono who has ridden 20, but not more than 30 winners." DEATH OF BROOD MARE •THE DAM OF CROUPIER Tho death has occurred at Hamilton of tho brood maro Pellet, tho dam of Croupier. Pellet,' who was tho property of Mr. N. Wudc', w>s brod in 1921, and was by Thurnhani from Pell, by Hymetus —Pellicule, by Birkenhead —Film, by Eiridspord—Margaret, by Yattcndon. She was not in foal at the time of her death. Croupier, who was by Surveyor, won numerous good races, including the Wanganui Guineas and tho Wellington Racing Club's Ilarcourt Cup as a three-year-old, and was easily the best of Pellet's progeny, the others to race being Town Planner, Pellctte, Alignment, who were also by Surveyor, and Whirlette, by Whirlwind/Mr. Wfide has just weaned a fine lilly foal by Whirlwind from Pellet.