REGISTRATION

New Zealand Mail, 15 February 1900, Page 39

REGISTRATION

In August of last year a new regula-' tion adopted by the Racing Conference dealing with the registration of partnerships and transfers of ownership came into operation, and those concerned much as some ofthem disagreed with the idea, conformed to its provisions. It is asserted however, and truthfully, that there are a. number of persons who are now, and who have been racing horses who have, not complied with the Rule. Whether they have .neglected to do so through sheer ignorance, or have acted wilfully in- the matter is not ascertainable, b»t one would certainly think that the firSt named plea could scarcely be advanced by owners or trainers seeing the publicity that has been given the regulation in question. It is distinctly laid down that all partnerships, and the name and address of every person haying any interest in a horse, the relative proportions of such interest, and the terms of any sale, with contingencies, lease, or arrangements, must be signed 1 by all the parties and lodged at the office of the Racing Conference before the horse concerned can' start in any race. Further, .declaratiflittmust be made as. to who is empaw.e£eit-to nominate, or make forfeit; .and it: is provided that a horse cannot be entered in the real or assumed name of any person as his owner unless *his interest in the animal it at least equal to'any other one person, and has been so registered 1 . This is explicit enough, and for the information of those who have so far failed to comply with the Rule it may be mentioned that a breach is regarded as being practically a. corrupt practice, the punishment, on conviction, being disqualification. Why anyone should take such a risk is not quite clear, but it is astohishing what some people will do in this connection, especially on the turf. One effect of the registration rule, is that the public is protected and. put in possession of information regarding the : real ownership of horses which they were previously unable to obtain unless in a very vague, unofficial sort- of way. The identity "of the owners of some animals was not generally known in the past, not even to racing club officials, and when there was any trouble abroad the trainer and jockey usually bore the whole brunt of it while their employer behind the scenes escaped altogether. A different state of things now prevails, and stewards can put their hands on the registered owner whenever they want him.. This is only right and proper and it is a matter for surprise that the innovation was not .adopted years ago. Those racing men who have so far ignored the Rule dealing with this matter would do well to comply with it at once, otherwise they will likely find themselves in a very unpleasant position.