TURF TOPICS

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1509, 31 January 1901, Page 44

TURF TOPICS

(BY ADVANCE.)

A CURIOUS MONOPOLY

The! tendency nowadays in this Democratic colony is to break down monopolies in every direction, and to enable a larger proportion of the community to share in the benefits arising from industry and enterprise, where only a few enjoyed them before. There is a monopoly in the racing pastime, and it consists of a rule by which every club in the colony is obliged to advertise its programmes in the “N.Z. Referee,” at Christchurch.

This is probably the most arbitrary piece of racing legislation that has ever been imposed upon any people-. It has been tolerated for seme years, but if the North Island Clubs work together there is no reason why it should be endured very much longer. Taking the Hawke's Bay district for example,, we find that small clubs like Porangahau, Rissington. Wairoa, and others have to publish their programmes at Christchurch, in the official calendar, regardless of any benefit they may derive therefrom. It cannot be presumed for a moment that such clubs get any advantage by having to compulsorily spend money in this way, for in every instance the success of their meetings depends on the publicity given to them by the local papers. Hence, why the monopoly is maintained it is hard to explain. What applies to Hawke’s Bay applies with equal force to the Auckland, Taranaki, Poverty Bay, Wanganui, Rangitikei, Wairarapa, Mana.watu and Wellington districts. The Taranaki Jockey Club has, we notice, taken this question in hand. At its last meeting the large cost of advertising the programmes and other notices made compulsory by the Racing Conference was commented upon, it being held that the outlay was quite out of proportion to any benefits that had accrued. A suggestion was made, and favourably ie-ceive-d, that an effort should be made atthe next meeting of the Conference to take; away the monopoly new enjoyed by the “Referee,” or at any rate to permit Northern clubs to advertise in papers that have a far larger circulation in this island. That an official racing calendar is needed for this colony is generally admitted, hut a publication on the- lines of those issued in the sister colonies would probably bef quite as satisfactory And much less costly to individual clubs. There no monopoly is given to any newspaper, nor is a hardship imposed upon small clubs by an arbitrary regulation. In taking the initiative in this matter the Taranaki Jockey Club- is serving a good purpose, and it will have the sympathy ana support of many of the smaller racing clubs which .at the present time are suffering by the- maintenance of the monopoly. That all the racing clubs of the North Island should have to heavily subsidise a paper published in the South Island is a great injustice, especially seeing that in the majority of instances the clubs depend for publicity of their meetings on the local journals, and thus an unnecessary outlay is involved in the subsidy. It is- time that the North Island clubs made their voices heard on this question—-Hawke’s Bay Herald. - ’

WELLINGTON TROTTING CLUB. The summer meeting of the Welling, ton Trotting Club opened at the Pet one Recreation Ground last Saturday. Although the weather was fine, the attendance was only fair. £IO7B 10s was put through the machine on eight events. _ln the- Trial Handicap Vanquish (by Van-clove) a four-year-old mare = owned and driven by Mr Jas. Petti©,’ whose first appearance it was with the colours up, won easily in omin olsee. D. _ Price was somewhat fortunate in winning the harness handicap with Strathmore (by Emerson) who had the limit. He was in receipt of Ssecs from "Viotta, who got into the lead several times, but lost her position by Breaking. With a msre experienced driver she should have -won. Faithful, who would have paid about £1 10s, was slow in getting into his stride, but came with a great dash at the finish, and was only beaten by a short half-length. He trotted about 2mins 37sec. Veto and Vickery dm net show up well. There were only four starters for the principal events—-two in saddle and two in harness. The Member won easily in smin 18sec.

The District Handicap brouglit out the good field of 13. Eddie (driven by. Mr Edwards) was a big favourite, and won with something to spare. Three of the seven starters in the saddle handicap were well backed. Berlin Maid (R. Day) won easily in 2min 58 2-sth sec. Answer (V&ncleve —Whisper) one of-Mr Buckland’s breeding, but who recently arrived ah Christchurch from Melbourne, did not trot well at the start, and was unable t-o make up the map between Berlin Maid and herself. There was £lB on the scratch horse Lord Harold, and the stewards should have asked his driver (B. Edwards) why he did not start. Surely it was the starter’s duty to report it. Mr Buckland’s Valor (brother to Am siver). won the mile harness in 2min 39scc. The only other starters were Monte Carlo and Vickery, who had only to trot 2min 31 sec and 2min 29sec respectively to win..

Sweet Marie, a pacing mare by Young Berlin, owned by W. Gragg, of" Masterton, owner of Captain Spec,’ had 18sec s start in the mile saddle, and was never caught. Th© official time given was 2min 45sec, but two private watches made the time 2min 40sec. There was also a difference in the official times of some of the other races. Mr W. Inglis, who acts as handicapper, starter and timekeeper, has rather too much to do, and should hand over one of th© latter positions to some one else. Sweet Marie was favourite and was well ridden bv Tully, a lad in B. Edwards' employ. Mr Pet tie’s Honour (ridden by B. Edwards) was well backed and finished second. FRESH BLOOD

We learn by cable that two Auckland stuu masters were among the buyers at

the dispersal of the Toeal Stud at West Maitland on Tuesday. The lots purchased for this colony were: Chestnut mare Chlorine bred' in 1888', by Grand Flaneur—Banksia, by Wild Oats —Steppe .(dam of Russley, Stepni&k, etc.). Messrs L. D. and N. A. Nathan, llOgs.

(Chlorine is the dam of the three-year-old filly Sally Manton (by Manton) and has a two-year-old and yearling colt by Medallion. She missed: and was served by Splendor.) Cantatrice, brown mare, bred in 1895, by Goldsborough—Songstress, by The Drummer—Canary (dam of Candour, etc.), by Lapadist-—Rosalie. Messrs L. D. and N. A. Nathan, 200 gs. (Cantatrice has been served by the St. Simon stallion Simmer. She won nine races in the Newcastle district.) Orcaestra, brown mare, bred in 189% by Goldsborough from Melody (dam of Melos and granddam of Wallace) 1 by” The Barb—Mermaid, by Fisherman. Messrs L. D. and N. A. Nathan, 220 gs. (Orchestra has a chestnut colt by Splendor and is served by Simmer, a six-year-old son of St. Simon—Dutch Oven (who won £17,888 in stakes) by Dutch Skater, a son of Flying Dutchman. Minuet, a full sister to Orchestra, fourteen years old, brouglit 500 gs. Orchestra is the dam of Mount Blair, by Splendor, all her progeny being by that sire—three colts and one filly.) Toi Tci 1 brown mare, by Splendour or Sweet "William from Tauri, by. The Drummer from Thomar, by from 10, by Sir Hercules from Flora McXvor, Served by Simmer (imp.). Messrs L. D. and N. A. Nathan, 35gs. Brown filly, three years, by Sweet William from Storm (sister to Souwester) byGoldsborough—‘Seabreeze, by The Barb—from Mermaid, etc. Messrs L. D. and •N. A. Nathan, 55gs. Epine, bay mare, bred in 1896, by Sweet William from the Thorn (dam of Ascot) by The Barb from Brown DucheiS, served by Medallion. J. B. Williamson' 25gs. , FOXTON RACING CLUB. . The weather was fine, but very hot for the Fexton Racing Club’s Summer meet on Monday and Tuesday last. Th© attendance each day was satisfactory, and compared favourably with previous gatherings. During'the two'days Messrs Neylon and Spriggens, of "Wanganui, passed £7126 through the totalLsator, which amount was £23 less than last year. Mr T. Cameron did the starting, and acquitted himself /well. Barring Harry Piper there is no better man in this island with the flag. Mr Henry’s handicapping provided good finishes, and in three cases big dividends. Daphne paid £6l 15s in the Cup, Morning £l6 16s in the .Maiden Hack Hurdle Race, and In the Van £l9 13s in the Electric Hack Race. The meeting was capably managed by Mr,lt. J. Whyte (secretary), assisted by Mr Angus Keith,’ to whom I am indebted for press privileges. Messrs Langley Brothers, of Foxton, supplied a first-cla-ss luncheon to the stewards and public. The building at present in use for secretary’s office, weighing room and press room has been in use some years, and is out of date and altogether too small. I understand it-is the intention of the club to have a suitable 'building erected for next season. Jim Cress won a double with the jumping .mare Grey Ribbon, who is in good from at. present. First Shot has shown better form, but Kaiwhakawa does hot appear able fin stay. Joel Ayers won a race each day with Illumination, who may- turn out to be one of the best of the and should scon find her way out- of hack company. Te Pake lost any chance she might have had in her races by getting left at the start. Ayers also, rode Waingawa (Voltigeur—First Water) who ran well on the second day. Sylyia Park was only started once at The meeting (in the Cup) and ran last but one. Mr Goodwin secured a race with his other string, Flying Jib (Foul Shot— Bombshell). Ngapuhi looked a certains winner fifty yards from, the post-, but Flying Jib managed to get up and win by a nose. Derrmgcotte does not appear to .race nearly Scn well for Dave Wright as when J. Reed had him. The sisters Elusion and Bfilliantine (Vanguard—Eclat) competed unsuccessfully although the latter managed to'run second on .two . Occasions. Mr D. ; Scott’» Gold Cord (Gold Reefr—Cordelia) wa© ; , similarly unfortunate, but should semfe before long. Sudor (by Somnus) saiel Nabaucklash (by Haere) are half; sister and brother to Spreydon, owned by Mr S. Messene. The Wairarapa mare Volley was considered the best of the ten starters for the' Cup. She managed to settle everything but Daphne, who raced well under her Right weight. Bona Fid©" occupied the other place, and scored a win for Mr Morse on the second day. Fred Tilley had half a dozen horses at the meeting, but this was the only one to score. Bata pulled up lame after his race the first day, but was raced on. the second day, and managed to get third. His stable mate Aldinga (Rebellion*— Mermaid) ran second in th© Electric Hack. Mr J. Orr was present the first day, but did not wait for the seceswl. Passapoulo, looking bright and well, made her reappearance after a spell, in the Flying. She was a bit above herself and played up at the post. ~

Messrs Stead and Solom&h present at tbe Hutt to see their horses win.