RACING AFFAIRS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23085, 9 July 1938, Page 13

RACING AFFAIRS

ANNUAL CONFEEENCE MINIMUM WEIGHT SCALE ADDRESS BY THE PRESIDENT DUAL LICENCES ABOLISHED [by telegraph—own correspondent] WELLINGTON. Friday In his presidential report to the annual meeting of the Racing Conference to-day, Mr. J. S. McLeod, Hawke's Bay, pointed out that a resolution had been submitted by tho executive committeo at tho suggestion of Mr. J. E. Henrys and after consultation with the various district committees, which provided that at any meeting held from September 1 to May 31 in tho next succeeeding year, inclusive, tho minimum weight for tho two principal flat race handicaps on each day bo 7.0, but for any other flat race handicaps in which an apprentice jockey , was entitled to claim an allowance, not less than 7.7. The minimum weight of 7.7 would not, therefore, appjy to the two principal Hat race handicaps on each day; every other, handicap flat race of the value of not more than £250 to tho winner, which was not a race: : — For two-year-olds only or for two and three-year-olds only; or in which only apprentice jockeys wero eligible to ride, or a high-weight handicap. Weight Revision

It was claimed in support of tho suggested amendment to the rules that, if tho minimum weight of 7.7 wore adopted only in races in which apprentice jockeys could claim an allowance, it would not only encourage owners and trainers to put up apprentices to ride, but that it would bo fairer to horses handicapped on the present 7.0 minimum, which, of course, could not claim any allowance. It was obvious that at tho smaller meetings there would be more races a day with the 7.7 minimum than at the larger meetings, where stakes were of gi cater value than £'2so to tho winner. Mr. McLeod considered the proposal far more equitable than raising the minimum. weight in all flat race handicaps from 7.0 to 7.7. One other resolution to be considered was for the provision of at least one weight-for-age race or a race at fixed weights, according to age, at any twodav meeting within the period September 1 to May 31 in any year. Advice for Appellants

Although there was an agitation in favour of counsel being allowed to appear in appeal cases,, the president declared it was • his opinion that 'offenders against the .Rules of Racing; were better, advised to place themselves in the Lands of the impartial judges. There could be no objection to an appellant having his appeal and defence prepared by his legal adviser and handed- to the judges. ' The time was long overdue for the Government to pass the necessary legislation repealing the restrictions which prevented the use of the double totalisator, the transmission of investments to the totalisator, and the publication of dividends in the newspapers.

Steps taken by tho Queensland Government to eliminate starting-price betting and the impending action by the New South Wales Government could not long be ignored. He urged the New Zealand Government promptly, to repeal needless and harassing, restrictions. The action of the Government in extending tho 1 per cent refund out of the 5 per cent Government totalisator tax had be«n timely and of material assistance to all clubs. Taxation over £400,000

Volume XIII. of the New Zealand Stud Book, which would be published shortly, would contain upward of 2700 marcs.

Taxation collected from racing by the Government amounted to over £400,000, not including amusement tax. Not only did the Government receive this amount directly, but indirect revenue from the railways and the carriage of racehorses, and through other channels. He again sought the repeal of the increased taxes. Generally, racing clubs had met the most successful season for many years past. The increased stakes had been a great help to all concerned, but he feared the future if racing clubs were to be burdened with much higher costs.

Racing, jockey and hunt clubs had been brought under the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act, and endeavours to point out reasons for the non-inclusion of the permanent and casual employees of racing clubs in any union had not so far been successful. Trainer-Jockeys' Position

The chairman reported that it was suggested to disallow dual licensing as from July 31, 1939. Mr. L. H. Collinson (Manawatu) raised an objection, pointing out that horsemen of the standard of C. Thomson. A. Jenkins, A. E. Didham, A. McDonald and E. McHugh were engaged in training;, and without their riding activities it was problematical whether they could carry on.. Mr. J. H. Perrett (Feilding) supported Mr. Collinson, and moved disagreement with the suggestion. Mr. D. E. Wanklyn (Canterbury) moved as an amendment that no dual licences be granted by the Conference, except in special circumstances. It was suggested that dual licences be granted only to cross-country horsemen, but an amendment along these lines was lost and Mr. Wanklvn's motion was carried. Mr. J. W. Card urged the Conference to take steps to regulato the issue of complimentary tickets, wliich was being abused by some I clubs. It was resolved that the executive committee bo requested to consider the matter and ascertain from clubs the position. Mr. Perrett was requested to supply the Conference with the particulars placed before the conference of Wanganui district clubs held to discuss the same question. The annual reports of the chief stipendiary steward, Mr. C. Gomor, and the chief racecourse inspector, Mr. A. Ward, were adopted. Amendments to Rules The remit by the executive committee to exclude one-eyed horses from racing except those registered prior to August 1 last was carried. The proposal to bar such horses from racing over fences was included in the resolution. In future owners of horses gelded after registration must notify the secretary of the Conference. The position of an employee in a stable carrying on tho work of his employer during tho absence of the latter at a meeting was defined by the Conference to apply to meetings in Now Zealand only. It was decided that at any meeting held from September 1 to May 31 next, inclusive, the minimum weight for the two principal Hat race handicaps on each day of any such meeting be 7.0, and for' any other flat race handicaps in which an apprentice jockey is entitled to claim an allowance not less than 7.7. The election of officers resulted as follows: —President, Mr. J. S. McLeod; vice-president, Mr. A. S. Ehvorthy; executive, Messrs. W. Claud Motion, Auckland; D. E. Wanklyn Canterbury; T. E. Coates, Grey mouth; A. U Hanlon, Dunodin; G. D. Beatson, Hawke's Bay; W. T. Hazlett, Southland; C. W. Tringham, Wellington; J. H. Perrett, Wanganui; tho Hon. J. McLeod, Taranaki.