RACING CONTROL

New Zealand Times, Volume LII, Issue 12185, 9 July 1925, Page 11

RACING CONTROL

CLUBS IN CONFERENCE BOOKMAKERS OPERATING FRACTIOUS HORSES DEALT WITH It was mentioned at the New Zealand. Racine Conference yesterday that, while the conduct of racing in New Zealand had reached a high level, the bookmaker still operated freely in every town in New Zealand. Sir George Clifford, president of the conference, presided ever 30 delegates. The report of the stipendiary stewards, which was accepted as a comprehensive review of the season, pointed out the continuous acceptance of vicious horses by many dubs continued. ‘‘ln many instances,” the report went on, “valuable and well-behaved horses have been kicked or badly Interfered with at the starting post, and the matter in many cases, if not repoited by the rider or* starter, is allowed to pa s without redress. IVe are of opinion that sortie definite rule should be embodied in the rules of racing debarring horses of this class from entry.” After urging the provision of humane “blue box” appliances, and the presence of a competent veterinary surgeon, the committee said the general class of weighing scales used were not accurate. This required rectification. Care in the compilation of cards, punctuality in conduct of meetings and jockey’s instructions for weighing in, were all mentioned, and the report continued that- very extensive and costly improvements had been effected or were in progress to appointments cn many courses. Most clubs had done their best to improve their appointments as far os their means permitted, but it was regretted that while appointments had benefited, race tracks had in some cases been to some extent neglected. The conference had designed a standard hurdle, and the use of this should be made ' compulsory. “BOOKIEI” STILL OPERATING Totalisator returns had increased, though the bookmaker still operated freely. It was advisable that clubs should if possible purchase and rtm their own machines. The standard of racing remained high, and in view of the public appreciation of class racing, clubs should cater for horses of class. New Zealand horses had done well in Australia. ‘‘Cases of interference.” the report went on. ‘‘in running have been too frequent in the past season, and we are more than ever convinced that much of the trouble is due to the continued use of the ridiculously short stirrun adopted bv many of our riders, lie think the time is ripe for the adoption of standard colours which which should form the basis for the various combinations of colours for all owners. A marked improvement in the railway services to race meetings has to be noted. If a return to the former system of paying freight on racehorses to courses on One way only was reverted to, much relief would be afforded owners, and country clubs especially. The conference decided to write to every club in the Dominion requesting the use of the standard huTdle. The question of accurate scales was also discussed, some members declaring that the curing scales were not accurate to within half a pound. The matter was finally referred, to the conference committee for investigation. The report was received. PRESIDENT’S REPORT In his annual report the president fSir George Clifford) referred to the Gaming Amendment Act, and said the conference had not been met bjr Parliament in many of its requests in the direction of running races in two divisions. and the refund of investment! on horses which were withdrawn before the machine closed. ‘‘Complaints,” he said, “have beer rife as to rough riding in races, and apparently a stricter supervision is needed. I would suggest that increased power be given to the stipendiary stewards in this direction. The invaluable effect) of the restraint imposed by the presence of our racecourse inspectors upon the old time crowd of criminal attendants is more and more manifest, and the exclusion of recognised evildoers has proved advantageous in many directions originally unforeseen. The accident fund has been called upon t 4 meet an unusual drain. Its benefits have been very clearly shown, both lo injured iockevs and trainers, and lo the surviving dependants of those who met with fatal injuries. The marked success which has attended New Zea-land-bred horses of late on the Aus4 tralian turf has been very gratifying. It shows how valuable an industry the breeding of thoroughbred stock is to the Dominion, and how worthy it is of every encouragement. ■ Now Zealand, with its favourable climate, should be the nursery for many countries of the best type of purebred horses, cattle, and sheep.” KEEPING COURSE CLEAN The chief racecourse inspector (Mr A. Ward) reported that during the year 217 persons were warned off. as against 208 for the previous year. The regulations governing the right of appeal were takes full advantage of hy excluded persons. The report traversed the methods adopted in pursuing inquiries, and continued that the conference could claim that the racing and trotting courses were as clean as it was possible to have them. Only sustained efforts would maintain this, and now the raring authorities held the responsibility tHS was particularly desirable. With few exceptions the conduct of licensed persons had been good, and a high standard had heen set. The amendment of the rules in respect to undesirable owners had been justified. Tim report concluded with an appreciative tribute to the work of the police. The report was received. CLUB IN DIFFICULTIES A letter was received from the Morrinsvtlle Club in liquidation seeking an extra permit with a view to extinguishing its heavy liability. The property, which was valued at fi-IWO. bad realised onlr £3OOO odd. and many of the guarantors had been badlv handled through the slump, and could not meet tbe ; r financial obligations. The president exnressod doubt that the conference could grant the request without legislation. fu any case it would establish a dangerous precedent. The letter was received.

VOTING STRENGTH OF CLUBS Mr W. E. Bidwilt (Wellington district north) moved: That at a meeting of the conference each metropolitan club. and each district club, and the

Manawatu Racing Club shall he entitled to not more than tire representatives and votes set out in the proposal. Tlie mover thought the metropolitan clubs should benefit by their status, and said: "If the country clubs could not malic their power felt under the new constitution there was something wrong.” This gave rise to the proposed change in the voting strength of the clubs represented at the conference. The proposals in the remit gave Taranaki and Manawatu among others, only one vote each, and these were disputed. A protest as to inadequate representation was read from the New Zealand country racing clubs. The secretary of the conference stated that the country clubs controlled 25 votes, and the metropolitan clubs 22. It was pointed out that the removal of the Manawatu Club from metropolitan status would alter the position. Mr J. R. L. Stanford (Wanganui) thought cluhs such as Manawatu should have direct representation at the. conference. An amendment which sought to have the remit reverted to the constitution committee to reconsider the coses of Avondale and Takapuna, was defeated. A plea for extra representation for Taranaki was also rejected, and the remit carried. REMUS SION SOUGHT J. H. C. Fleming, Tauranga, who was disqualified for three years from March loth, 1923. for remission of his exclusion/ Similar applications were received from L. Bowles, Te Aroha, disqualified for three years from the same date; from A. Grant, disqualified for five years from March 26th, 1923; and J. Richardson, recently put out for 12 months. The applications were referred to those who heard the original cases. RACE FOR APPENTICES On the motion of the president, it was agreed that the programme of every meeting include on each day at least one steeplechase or hurdle race, or a flat race at welter weights of. 9st minimum; and if the zneetiug extends over three or more days, and is to be held on any day from September Ist to April 30th inclusive, at least pne flat race (not being a maiden race or a race in which only two-vear-olds can compete, or a race for a less distance than seven furlongs) in which only apprentice jockeys shall be eligible to ride; provided that on the stipendiary stewards’ certificate that no suitable apprentice jockey enn be engaged for a race a licensed jockey may be substituted, carrying a penalty of 141 b. In such races no rider shall be allowed a spur. It was also decided that at no race meeting from May 7th to August 31st inclusive shall the last race of the day be fixed for a time later than twenty minutes before sunset. PAYMENT OF STAKES An amendment to the rules was effected providing that no club shall gibe; a less sum m stakes for races’than 00 per cent, of the average amount derived by such club from the use of the totalisator during the previous three years. This rule shall not apply' in the, case of a diminution of the number of days on which the totalisator is used by any club, or where the president, for reasons reported in writing to the conference, may have granted permission for a less sum to be given. FOR BIG FIELDS Mr F. Earle (Auckland) moved to I have power given-' to clubs to have races of a number over the safety limit fun’ in two jiivisions. The stakes payable to placed iioraes, Would be divided equally between the winners of each division, and for all purposes connected with the totalisator, the winners would be deemed-,to have- run a deadheat. It was fiot desirable that one jockey should participate in both divisions. A lengthy discussion followed, Mr G. Gould (Canterbury) suggesting an alternative proposal to ballot out the horses in excess of the safety limit. The original proposal was finally accepted, with a modified addition. It was moved that no horse three years old and upwards should start in handicap events of a distance less than six furlongs.—After discussion, the proposal w-as rejected on a division: 24—8. “SCHOOLING LIST” With a view to eliminating the unruly horse. Mr J. G. Duncan (Wellington) moved to have fractious or unschooled horses causing trouble placed on a "schooling list.” While it was on the list the horse would be ineligible to start in any flat race, three times on the list to disqualify a horse permanently. If carried, the remit would hasten starting operations, said the mover.—The proposal was agreed to. THE HOUSE IN ORDER REMITS ON RACING JOCKEY’ CANNOT CA&RY LEAD. Towards .the closing stages of the New Zealand Racing Conference last evening, a large number of matters affecting the domestic administration of clubs, and the conduct of meetings generally, were’presented for consideration. No jockey is now to carry any dead weight about his body during a race. Mr W. T. Hazlett objected to the motion in this direction, and said difficulty would be experiehced by owners to retain regular riders. When the definition of metropolitan clubs was mentioned, Waverley protested against removal from the Wanganui district into Taranaki.—lt' was decided to leave Waverley in the Wanganui district. A remit was advanced asking that power lie given the district committee to impose an annual levy upon metropolitan clubs and the totalisator clubs in its metropolitan district, for the purpose of defraying expenses of a varied character.—Adopted. The powers of the president in incurring expenses of representatives and committee members were widened by a remit from the conference committee.

weight-for-age race, unless specified in tlio conditions. Provision was made for the forwarding of full particulars of any inquiry—whether action is taken or not —to the district committee. An obligation not exceeding £5 was placed on all liable persons who failed to apply for licenses upon a certain date. It is to go forward as a recommendation to all clubs that the top rail of every hurdle used in a hurdle race or steeplechase should be protected with canvas or other suitable material. It was reported that Dunedin and Auckland had adopted ■ this method. In order to assist clubs to revive their position, brought about by the shrinkage of totalisator returns, and greater expense of carrying on, the Government is to be requested t<, rebate to clubs a proportion of the dividend tax — to be based on a graduated scale on the totalisator turnover. The president (Sir George Clifford) said further representations to the Minister were already in hand. The conference committee was elected as follows:—Sir George Clifford, Bt., Messrs W. E. Bidwill. J. G. Duncan L. A, Nolan, F. Earle, K.C., P. Miller, and- J. C. Paterson.