A RACING REFORM.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVI, Issue 8181, 24 July 1912, Page 4

A RACING REFORM.

(To the Editor "N.Z. Times.") Sir, —It is the stewards’ own fault if they do not see all that goes on during the running of a race. Without a doubt, a lot of pulling is done at the starting post, and to remedy the complaint the racing clubs should have a steward or two at this spot to take note of any riders who dwell on. the way, and bring them to book. There’s no doubt that losing the start saves jockeys a deal of trouble and risk when they are not out to win. Inconsistent running is recognised by aE turfites as a matter of everyday occurrence. The racing clubs claim be stemming the tide of corruption, but as the main, incentive and objective of the racing clubs is to put as much money through the totalisator as possible, and the purity of the sport is quits a secondary consideration, the thing goes steadily from bad to worse. The public, winch is a long-eared and easy going kind of creature, has so far shown no special resentment of these tactics of the turf. It is optimistic enough to believe that it may be able to get "into the know’’ and steal quite a fair stake from the unsuspecting other fellow. The time has arrived for the chairman of tho .New Zealand Racing Conference to be up and doing. The remedy may bo in the stipendiary steward. His coming would undoubtedly improve matters, and it is to be hoped that tIJS right men may be forthcoming. The success or failure of the system wiU entirely depend upon this. Tho stipendiary stewards on the race courses of Australia are a success. Why should they not also be in the Dominion of New Zealand? But, if tho State wore going to participate in the revenue that comes from the totalisator, it must accept the responsibility of guaranteeing the public a fair run their money. Inconsistent running is seldom recognised by the racing clubs of New Zealand. 'This is a reform that is wanted in racing for the good bl the sport. One ©ct of racing rules should govern the sport throughout Australasia. As in New South Wales the new code provides that a jockey engaged to ride in any race may be ordered down for a reason that may appear to tho stewards to bo sufficient, and they may prohibit the horse from starting in snob race unless their directions be observed. They may aloe, if they are satisfied that the winner or any placed horse in a race at a meting has not been permitted by his owner, trainer, rider, or other person interested to do his best in any other race run at that meeting, disqualify such horse for that particular race. Stewards should have the power to report within fourteen days ifter the holding of any race meeting to Ihe Now Zealand Racing Conference the running of any horse at such meeting, which, in their judgment, is inconsistent with any previous or . subsequent _ performance or performances of such horse at any time, either on the same, or any other course. It is provided that n« person shall act as steward, handicapper, judge, starter or clerk of scales in.respect of any race in the result of which be is pocuniarEy interested. The New ' Zealand racing committee or the controlling clubs should be given power to inquire into alleged cases of inconsistent, running, and punish by fin£p suspension or disqualification any person found guilty of ■ malpractice in connection with running. They may also disqualify any hoise in this connection. If the rules of racing are revised and enforced by_ the New Zealand Racing Conference, judging from the summary, there is a prospect of better and cleaner racing throughout New Zealand, and the racing clubs should put more weight-for-age events on their programmes—one mile to one and a half mile events —so as to encourage the owners of good horses who •are weighted out of handicap races. _ It is a splendid rule which gives the stewards of a club power to order a rider off a horse at a moment’s notice, but unfortunately in New Zealand tho officials will have ao betting to guide them. It is only too true that the totalisator lolls many tales after a race. A good rule is one which should permit stewards to report to tho New Zealand Racing Conference cases of inconsistent running at a subsequent meeting, as compared with their fixtures. This means that any of the stewards who foEow racing at aE closely and see a horse showing vastly improved form —I wiE say for argument’s sake at a Trentham racecourse meeting—to what he did on their particular racecourse, will have a perfect right to bring the matter under the notice of the New Zealand Racing Conference.—l am, etc., E.H.AI. Wellington, July 20th. ■■ * ■' % '