THE TURF

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 7019, 6 January 1910, Page 4

THE TURF

RACING FIXTURES Wellington Pony and Galloway Club— Jam. 8. fahiatua K.C.-Jnn, 12, 10. (Veil i ngton K.C. —Jan. -I. Poston K.C. —JaU. .1. Tnknpuna—Peb. 2, 5. Canterbury J.C.—ieb. 3, a. Egmont K.C. —Peb. 9, 10. Taranaki K.C. —1* eb. 16, 17* AVoodvillo J.C.—Peb. 23, 24. NOTES AND COMMENTS [By " Auoua.”] The weights for the first day’s meeting of the Pahiatua Pacing Club, to bo hold on the 12th insi., appeared in yesterday's issue. As appear to bo framed on equitable lines there should bo a good response from owners and trainers when acceptances tall duo to-morrow. Some comment has been caused through the totalisator officials at tho Hutt Valley Trotting Club’s meeting not paying out the proper dividend in a raco'at tho recent fixture. The stewards have gome into tho question thoroughly, with tho result that a sum of surplus money, amounting approximately to £2O, which was underpaid to investors will be paid over to the Wellington Hospital funds. W. Young was the most successful Jockey at the llangitikei meeting with four wins. W. Ryan came next .with three. R. Young, Jerry O’Oonnell, and C. Price secured a brace apiece, while D. Cameron, H. Cairns, and T. Carroll secured one win each. The principal participants. _in the stake money at the Rangitikei fixture were Air Douglas Noake £240 and cup valued at 50 sovs, J. H. Prosser £l9O. W. H. Nicol £l7O, W. J. Douglas £l7O, A. Hall £lls, J. R. McDonald £lO5, A. Smith £95, L. G. McDonald. G. Morris. J. W. Lowe, T. Sevan, E. Jackman junr.. £BS each; H. Spratt £7O, A. McDougald £GS, G. A. Harrison £6O. Windage, who gave a creditable display over tire battens at the Manawotu mooting, will be a competitor in the Hurdles at Fahiatua. Thera has been well-treated in the Railway Handicap at Fahiatua, and if Cress’ mare is on her best behaviour eho should run well. Nominations for all events at the annual meeting of the Foxton Racing dub excepting the Trial Hock (first day) and the Maiden Scurry (second day) close with Air Angus Keith at Foxton up to 9 o’clock to-night. Bliss, the fashionably-bred filly by Stepniak from -Far Away, added another win to her account by winning tho Christmas Handicap at the Hawke’s Bay meeting on Saturday last. Faunas, who won tho Alaiden Hack Handicap at Hastings, is very highly epoken of. and a successful turf career is anticipated for The Officer gelding. Fannus is a member of S., Waddell’s Karamu team. Scots Fusilier, who runs in Sir Williara Russell’s nomination, was a competitor at Hastings on Saturday last, but the oott was not forward enough to do himself justice. Tlio many friends of Albert Jackson, tho Wanganui trainer, were glad to hear of his success with Roosevelt in the Grandstand Handicap at the Auckland meeting. Tho colt’s condition reflected credit on Jackson, and the win was a popular one. Strathmoira, who nearly effected a surprise hy winning tho Telegraph Hack Race at Bulls, is a promising gelding. Ho was formerly owned by Air Alassey, but when tho loader of th'o Opposition was visiting Hunterville recently ho presented Strathmoira to Air H. AlcAlanaway. Tho gelding is reported to be very speedy. Nightmare, a full-sister to Tho Lark, made her first appearance over the small sticks at tho Bulls meeting and created a favourable impression by tho manner in which. she negotiated the obstacles. Nightmare is in tho capable hands of J. .Cameron, the wellknown cross-country’ rider, .and any talents tho mare may possess will soon be produced.

In nil probability Koran, winner of tha Rangitikei Cnp, will bo taken to

Australia shortly to compete at tho A.J.C. autumn mooting. If the Pilgrim’s Progress gelding does make the trip he .will bo accompanied by the well-performed Crucmella, and the pair will go across under Mirt Gardener’s ohargo. Gardener is the well-known Waverley trainer who has had the pair named in hand for some time past. The funeral of Fred. Whitehousej who died from injuries received while riding Arcadia at Bulls on Alonday, took place at Palmerston North yesterday. Tho Rangitikei Racing Club was represented by Air W. J. Phillips. An Inquest .was opened yesterday morning, but after tho jury had viewed the body it was adjourned until Tuesday next. The widow of the deceased will be entitled to an allowance of some .£4OO from the Jockeys’ Provident Fund. Lady Waterford, by Soult—Allinga, which was purchased at Auckland by Air .Sol Green, has reached Melbourne safely, and has been placed in James Lynch’s stable at Ascot Vale to prepare for future events. Tho Raft, a New Zealand-bred gelding by Tho Possible, has reached Flemington, where he will be prepared for raoing. In our advertising columns will be found the programme of the autumn meeting of the Wanganui Jockey Club, to be held on March 3rd and sth. The stakes are on a liberal basis. The Cup, to bo run on the first day, is endowed with 675 sovs, whilst tho Jackson Stakes, to bo decided on the second day, is worth 500 sovs, and the Wanganui Stakes, a mile and a. half race, 350 sovs. Tho bill-of-fare provided is on a very liberal scale and one that should engage tho attention of owners and trainers. Nominations close with Air Hall at Wanganui on the 24th inst., at 9 p.m. An interesting record in connection with the fifteenth Royal Stakes decided at the Auckland meeting on Alonday last is that the Canterbury trainer, R. J. Mason, has trained thirteen of the fifteen winners of the race. The last two winners for which he was responsible belong to Air G. D. Greenwood, of Christchurdh. All Blue, who won the Nursery Handicap at Hastings for Air E. J. Watt, is a half-brother to Submarine, being by Alerriwee from Blue Water. A successful turf career is anticipated for All Blue, who has demonstrated sprinting ability. Excellent progress is being mad© witb the erection of the members’ stand at Trentham and everything will be in readiness for the coming meeting. It is hoped the club’s executive will devise some stairway to the new’ stand without using the stairs leading to the press room, which on an ordinary race day are hardly capable of standing the heavy traffic. Caretaker MoGlaahan has the lawns, gardens, and course at Trentham in first-class condition. To those people who take a delight in nice surroundings a visit to the course at Cap time should he keenly appreciated. Trouble in connection with the Work ing of the totalisator at meetings where the machines are not muter the control 'Of the. Racing Clubs are contdnu.ally occurring. The incident at the Hutt Valley trots, when investors on tho winner in a race were paid a less sum than they were entitled to, is a case in point. At the last TaratahiOarterton meeting some wrong tickets w'ere given out in a race, with Hie result that the unfortunate investor had to bear the loss. It behoves racing chibs to put this important branch of their business on a sound basis and thus endeavour to eliminate all chances of unpleasantness. Tho Porirua stable . is strongly represented in the Wellington Cup with All Red, Diabolo, and Lady Medallist —truly a good trio. Air Paterson was disappointed with Aliscast’s displays at Tauhorenikau. Tlio Birkenhead gelding is credited with having run a mile in Imin 44sec on tho day previous to the race, but for some unaccountable reason did not run up to expectations in tho Racing Club Handicap, finishing a had; last. A notable absentee from tho Wairarapa meeting on Saturday and Alonday last was the club’s popular vicepresident Air W. E. Bidwill, who was prevented from attending through the death of a sister. There wore many expressions of sympathy with Air Bidwill. Roy Lambcss, the Forton lightweight who has been riding with some success recently, is to join tho stable presided over by G. Price, at Awapuni, and will do the riding for “Air Highden’s” team when tho weights

suit. The lad has patience and perseverance, two factors that go to make a successful rider. GREYMOGTH TROTS ■ PRiSSS ABSOCIATIOS. GRBYAIOHTH, January 4. The second day of the Greymouth Trotting Club’s summer, meeting was held to-day. Rain came down in torrents. Th© totalisator handled £4067. Results;—, INNOVATION HANDICAP. ■— Seddtan’s Terraco 1, Diction. 2, Childstone 3. TRADESMENS HANDICAP.—DunoIIie 1, Possum 2, Princess Olga 3. MAWHERA HANDICAP.—Scudo 1, Volcano 2, Wild Palm 3. EXPRESS HANDlCAP.—'Westland and Welcome, dead heat, 1; Local 3. ELECTRIC HANDICAP.—Lady Bella 1, Alanola 2, Black Girl 31 VICTORIA PARK HANDICAP.— Garret 1, Blackeand 2, Acrobat 3. NGAHHRE HANDlCAP—Roosevelt 1, Ivy B. 2, Nil Desperandum 3. SUMMER HANDICAP.—Diction 1, Childstone 2, Ruatapu 3. GRBYAIOHTH. January 5. The summer flieoting of the Grey Trotting Club was .concluded to-day. Results;—• WESTLAND HANDlCAP.—Ngatimaru 1, Midas 2, Tapanui 3. RUNANGA HANDICAP. Bushranger 1, Sir Bedevere 2, Searcher 3. GREY TROTTING CLUB HANDICAP. -Croesus 1, Chiefting 2, Volcano 3. TELEGRAPH ; HANDICAP. - Convent Bell 1, Joe Davis 2, Comrade 3. DIJNOLLIB HANDICAP. —Midas 1, Diction 2, Enterprise 3. SUBURBAN HANDlCAP.—Chiefting 1, Garrett 2, Blacksand 3.. SPEEDWELL HANDICAP. - Atalanta 1, Coin 2, Roosevelt 3. FAREWELL HANDlCAP.—Childstone 1, Diction 2, Jo© Davis 3. AUSTRALIAN SPORTING By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. SYDNEY. January 5. Altogether 133 entries have been received for tbo Doncaster Handicap, and 87 for the Sydney Gup. MELBOURNE. January 5. Tho entries for the Newmarket Handioaip numbered 93, and for the Australian Cup 64. WELLINGTON PONY & GALLOWAY RACING CLUB The following acceptances have been received by the secretary (Mr J. M. Gumming), for tho two principal races to bo held next Saturday:— WELLINGTON OUT, six furlongs.—Gold Cup 11.10, Wharekoa 10.8, Petronel 10.5, Anglican 9.12, Swallow 9.1, Picotco 8.10. TBAMWAT HANDICAP, four furlongs and a half.—Gold Cup 11.12, Petronel 11.7, Flying Wind 10.8, Moata .10, Paul Beaver 9.7, Mermaid 9.3, Axite 8.13, Paul, 8.5, St. Flora 8. Merrlmanu 8. Inkerman 8. Lorna Boon was omitted from the list of nominations for the Eecovery Handicap, to be run on the second day of the meeting. Our Lot was omitted from the January Handicap. , RACING REFORM (To the Editor " N.Z. ■ Time*/*) Sir.—As a reader of your valuable paper, would you please insert this in ycrar sporting columns about the inconsistent running of horses’on New Zealand racecourses; also ithe obligation of owners. , Many men who, in the ordinary business paths of life, ore quite above suspicion, have a weakness of indulging in what as generally termed ‘’cleverness" in their turf doiugs: in fact, ithey lot the monetary side take precedence over whatever scruples they may possess. How greatly : this spirit of commercialism is making itself felt in New Zealand I Tho ownership of racehorses should mean something more than mere consideration of mere personal gain. They should be run in the interests of sport. The oft-repeated statement that tha public doe© not pay the training bills, •and has (therefore no right to be studied, is not only unworthy, but not strictly true: for the public.does, in fact, contribute very .largely to the maintenance of horses in training. If there was no gate money, owners would have io depend on themselves only for stakes, and the real danger to the turf is that owners should disregard the truth, and treat racing as U money-making pursuit and nothing more. Let them fully recognise that if they have the right by

virtue of their having sufficient moans to run their horses in public, it is their duty, so far as is reasonably possible, to study the interests of .sport, % ancl give the public a good •show "by being a brier." For a horse to run very indifferently the first day, in New Zealand, and to -came out the next day and win, is of such frequent occurrence that many sports are beginning to anticipate it. In Australia they do not allow such jokes to pass unnoticed. Thut the public views the frequent evidences on the course with such complacency is often a puzzle. / "Are tfiey on it?" -"Is he a trior?" Such expressions heard every day on tho (racecourses of New ZealUnd show beyond doubt what tho public -estimation of the turf morality in the Bominiion is of crooked running. Wo .like to think that wo lead the world in many branches of. sport. We Ur© inclined to sing the praises of our footballers, our scullers, runners, tennis players, etc., etc., and we talk in a loud voice of cleanliness in our sport, and of freedom froan pernicious professionalism, with all its attendant evils, but we overlook the fact that ithe sport (which is truly our national cne, which attracts thousands every day in the year, whereas a football match only attracts similar crowds on special occasions, or when there is no race meeting hUndy) is unsound to its very core. The sport of kings in New Zealand as a business run on up-to-date lines. Inconsistent running is recognised by all turfites as a matter of every-day occurrence. The clubs claim to be doing thc.ii* best £0 "stem the tide of corruption." The need for the stipendiary steward increases, - but those in authority continue to (turn U deaf ear. Most reforms come* slowly, and .it is no doubt better that it should be -so, but in the direction referred to, reform has tarried too long. Almost every sporting writer in Now Zealand has advocated the appointment of paid stewards to deal with the bare-iliced inconsistency that is displayed,, but so far it has availed nothing. The opposition on .the part Of the large majority of tho delegates, to the annuli 1 conference continues to be too strong against reform. Not until the advent of the stipendiary will w© 'see an end to the state of things that makes possible such a c*ase ias occurred in a flat race not long since, without punishment 'following. Tho remedy would only be in the stipendiary steward. His coming would undoubtedly improve matters. Otherwise we shall never have thoroughly honest racing in New Zealand. One hears such and'such an owner referred to as being a "straight goer." Is thlit not as much as to .say that others are not straight? A race -run on its merits is as rare (as feathers on U frog.. The sport of‘kings in New Zealand is a business pure and -simple, and the recent Gaming Act rather assisted to increase the business -aspect of it tlilin anything olsc*.. Why don't they license a ten shilling tote, or only grant licenses to bookmakers who have a good -character ? The Hon. «T. A. Millar asserted that the racing clubs had deliberately and knowingly licensed disreputable bookmakers with tho object of trying.to bring them into disrepute. Next session when the Totalisator Bill comes down, he should give his experience on Hie point. There wos as much swindling going on in connection with the totabiiaitor as with the bookmaker. But, after Ull, what does it matter? The punter is satisfied to take his chance of backing a "stiff J un," and though, some of us occasionally dream of a race between ‘a, field of triers with (no pulling or unfair tactics, it is only a dream.—Yours, etc., AN ADVOCATE) OF KEFOKiI. Foxtail, December 31. TfffiT NEVEE WOULD BE MISSED (1-0 the Editor ”N.Z. Times”) Sir,—l thought when answ r crm.g "Poor Punter s epistle that it was a punter who was writing. I see right at tho start of his second letter to you that lie starts guessing, and if he is no better at punting than he is «t guessing my identity ho will always bo poor. (1) '‘The totalisabar is not for poor punters” (my contention). "Neither ore the bookmakers,” says '"Poor Punter," What the deuce does he want? Is he an abolitionist as well as punter and giessor? What a, tame Urgument for him to say that "the 2s 6d or 5s which the poor man puts on is far more to him than the .£1 is to the patron of the tote.” What can anyone make ont of that? Is the working man to be debarred from patronising racing at all? Certainly,it is the sport of kings, but also equally certain in any part of the colonies you will find the working class predominate on the courses—tote or no tote. He, only backs up my contention that the tote is not for poor punters, but for men who can afford to lose a tenner any day they go out, whereas with the books, u. working, man can . have eight wagers and two 2s 6d doubles during the day, with all exes included, and can enjoy himself, for 30s, even if he never, backs a winner at all. He-says, “The excessive facilities for gambling in New Zealand.” ' Are they any worse than formerly? Certainly not, for one valid reason—the books gave their word that shop betting and

tote odds would he done away with, and they have faithfully kept their promise. With what result? The clubs charge them exorbitant fees for licenses; they relegate them on the course to places as far a Way as they can from the bulk of the people, and they are shot at fight and left hy fanatics such as "Poor Punter.” ' As for women speculating, the fault lies in the framing of tho Act. In Melbourne there is a heavy fine attached to any bookmaker who is fonud guilty of making a wager with a woman. There is nothing here to prevent any woman from betting, and there never was anything in the past to prevent any woman walking up to the tote and putting on iil with which she should have been buying &Qxno ‘ f Poor Puritor’ 5 a boots. , ... . I still say that when backing a horse on the course with a bookmaker you know what you are to get, and for “Poor Punter” to swerve from the argument by saying “What about doubles and straight-out bets made which never will be paid” only shows me his ignorance. What has betting away from the course to do with the Gaming Act? He has his remedy in the Act, and I would ask him—ls he not in a better position to-day than he was before the Act cam© into force? He now has his .remedy at common law. Previously bis remedy lay ini Ibis abilities as a pugilist. Which does he prefer? He also uses as an argument "The ridiculous short prices laid by the books,”, and quotes Awapuni the first day.' He says Koran was. at a 30s dividend from the start, that Penates and Effort were at 432 dividend, and

rinds up by saying “nice dividends for idrses that couldn’t win.”

His statements as to his prices quoted are utterly untrue, for X was there and got ,£3 dividend ’ Horan —ho finished at i£2 10s divvy.

I got ,£3 dividend Penates—he finished at 50s. ~ ■■ ■

I got £3 dividend Effort, and could have got it at the start of the race. Marion, who beat Koran, was at £8 and £0 dividend. Lord Soult, who beat Penates, -was at ■£" dividend, and Thetis, who boat Effort, was .at ,£8 divvy, and these prices could have been got at the' barrier’s rise. I have seen their books, and spoken to the fielders operating there that day, and I wonder if "Poor Punter” would be surprised when, I tell him that the books lost at Awapiini the first day. I’ll just give him two instances. The first race I saw £4O put on Moose at £2 10s dividend to win. He only'paid 31s 6d on the machine, - and if that ,£4,0, along with, say, one-tenth of what tile holders lost on the race, hUd been put on the machine, what would the dividend have been? Probably 255. Take the second race— Teotane, £2 10s; Polymorphous, £4; dividends with the books right up to the start and nothing else backed. Hoiv did the books get on in these two races? They had to give back,to the backers of Polyanthus their investments aud pay out nearly even money oil Teotane, with nothing in the race that had. a chance with the winners. At least that is what the punters thought, and they backed their opinion, leaving the poor bookie with several crocks that punters thought might as well have been.in their loose boxes. Nice position for fielders to be in, with horses that couldn’t win, eh, “Poor Punter.” Take Ashhurst. I saw .£lO dividends taken. Gladiole only paid £3 odd on

the organ, and I could name scores of instances where {he books' prices compare mo-t favourably with tlie machine. 1 say ‘’That the tote chops off 121 per cent.," and it would take the Bank of Bngland to compete day in and day out wita a competitor who takes 12$ percent, oft you every transaction. “Poor Punter" takes objection to this; and says it is not a fact. He says “The tote only deducts 10 per cent." .Now, 1 know w/iatT am writing about when it conies to totes, and it “Poor Punter'’’ lias enough ability to do it let him reckon up any one day at any meeting in the uNortn Island and take the total amount invested and work out the amounts paid to first and second horses for the day, and 1 am willing to lay odds on that it tomes lb more than 12-i per cent, in the South Island, where in places they only pay out to fractions of Is, the percentage works out to close on 20 per cone.

Tigmcs are fads, “Poor Punter/' and it is rash to jump at conclusions. - lie says **Xiie vote does not balance you for your dividend." .Neither does any bookmaker on a course. If he is inclined to argue with “Punter" the remedy is simple. Complain to the stewards, and if ho doesn't pay, that is the end oi him—he is escorted to the gate, and the subsequent proceedings interest him no more. .Neither can he get a license at any other meeting, for the one official who acts as detective acts in most other .places in the same capacity. There is one great fault in the Gaming -let—no restrictions whatever are placed on the clubs asl to who* they can issue licenses to, and the clubs, in their graball policy, will jhardly ever refuse the money, no matter what the financial or social standing of the applicant may he. Surely their patrons ‘ aro entitled to come consideration, and it should be the aim of the racing clubs to know that the applicant for a license has come financial stake in the country. On the contrary, however,’ their aim seems to bo to bring a reputable body of men into disrepute by licensing Toni, Pick and Hurry, irrespective of their qualifit cations.

There are black sheep in every denomination, but the majority of the fielders are men of common sense, sound principle and men with some brains. They are the first to assist, in genuine cases of distress or help a comrade, or even a poor punter, and men who, in following their avocation, have to spend large sums of money when away from headquarters amongst hotel-keepers, cafes, cabmen, printers, cabinetmakers, clerks and railway fares. Does the tote assist anyone or does it spend one shilling to every -.1110 that a bookmaker has to spend? It employs some half-dozen clerks, and there it finishes. Now for “ Poor Punter’s'” questions. A, b, ,c, d and e are old-time fiction pure and simple, and- the ' result produced by reading too much of Nat Gould’s literature. .

(f) If I . had any doubts in my mind as to whom I was dealing with, they would have been set .at rest by this paragraph. If '/Poor Punter" knows nothing of tote figures' he certainly has some experience of tho gentle gueeser's art. This class of telegram, emanates from these gentry and has nothing whatever to do with bookmakers.

Tire racing. clubs have a detective, whose duty it is to remove these gentry from the course, and X would give them a tip that the same gentleman could be profitably employed in seeing that only reputable men obtain a license to bet. Of what’ use would a telegram such os these are to any legitimate fief dor? There are certainly squibs of men. outside of the ring, who lay tote odds, and it is to them that tlm’wire may be of use in getting- the guesser to, find a mug to put his little bit on. He couldn’t get much on, however, for the recognised books will not, lay tote odds. . Most certainly the 'tote dividend.. does decrease with every £1 put on. It is not the likes of a "Poor Punter” that will make the bookie lower his prices. It is the owners and heads that make him sit ux>, and they know iuW well that if. thov put their dloO and JtlOO on the .■machine the dividend comes down wallop —not a point or so. _ “ In conclusion I hold no brief for the books, but I am and always have been a punter, some days like your correspondent poor, the next a duke, thinking the earth was made for me, forgetting m the height of prosperity the liard times, and thinking I would never ; be . poor

again. AVhere I come from in Victoric ,ve arc all alike, and there is toktliorc, and I hops never will ho, object in answering “Poor Pinter Jc, la show at least some part of -the other ride of the medallion, although for the life of me I can’t make out what no VsSio an inventor of some new sort of machine for use on racecourses, or m ;Ke one of these fanatics with Zealand abounds, who would cwv sort of sport and amusement, and .•put tailgates on the reads to everj cito 8-jft *atr jasr". * could fathom why. He doesn’t make you wu4r with him. but lays you the odds If you don’t like to take them you nip ;iv 9 t compelled to, and where is the dt foreuce-between a heldei and “ „ The punter thinks be kuowe somcthi „ poor, will always be ' w tb U6 *, fellow Punter” try and educate hm fellow men up to giving up ba .^ kul 5 0 When bo does this he w.ll do av y .vith bookmakers, also the tote, aiao iau/new machine he may have invented* Verb, sap.—l am. etc., Palmerston North, January 2nd.