TURF AND TUCKER.

NZ Truth, Issue 119, 28 September 1907, Page 2

TURF AND TUCKER.

The following comments from the Sydney "Sportsman" x are of particular interest, for they* apply with eoual force m this colony. The New Zealand turf may possibly be blessed with a few owners who are out to win on all occasions, but it would be difficult to name many, and probably their instructions are not always carried out to the letter by their trainers. As regards her general history. Australia could become a great and democratic nation without, a titled aristocracy or i-vun a. tonev "hupper suede." Nuvertho.leHa the Australian turf could do with a few Portlands, Devonshire, Westminsters, Rothschilds, or even a. few common Boss Crokcrs. that would give racing a lift, and assist it m maintaining something of a semblance to sport. Everybody knows that "On the turf, as well, as under it, all men are equal," and there are some fine sports aronnir those dukes and marciuises. When Australia was only giving promise of turf expansion there were a few owners who enthused every time their horse could show the others the road home. Nowadays, it is doubtful if the Commonwealth holds half-a-dozen owners who race their horses from the standpoint of clean sport and with the genuine enthusism of sportsmen. Take any oE the meetings, whether at Rand wick or .at the pnmrirtar" clubs' courses on .Saturday afternoons, or at the ftopy aud galloway, meetings, and

what do you find? Why, racecourse monopoly m the form of a programme of events and the privilege to bet, which means that owners, ! punters, bookmakers, and the general public are engaged yi a desperate scrimmage trying to wrest money from each other over the actual results. Ninety per cent, of presentda* 1 ' owners are onK battling at the rame, and cannot very well be blamed for working it m the most profitable way possible. Australian turf history is now at a critical juncture, or even crisis, it may be said, and a change of some sort is badly wanted m order to elevate the standard of all-round ownership. In horseraciii"- as well as m horseproduction. Australia might yet be on a footing with any country m the world, but such can only be brought about by a strong infusion of 'honorable and independent ownership— men who would be proud to win as often as they possibly could."