STIPES QUALIFICATIONS

NZ Truth, Issue 890, 16 December 1922, Page 10

STIPES QUALIFICATIONS

Protection For Tke Public

Plea for Examination m General Knowledge.

Despite the claims of owners, trainers,- club-members, jockeys and race-course-urgers for the credit of being responsible for keeping the racinggame going, the cove who really buys | the horses, keeps up the stables, pays the -winning and losing fees, builds and maintains racecourses, is the one who goes to see the races. If he stayed I away there would be no races. He's not a very astute individual, though he reckons he is the last word m shrewdness; and, when fortified with the "oil," as- supplied by the baker or the milkman, he* wends his way to the course with as much certainty of committing financial suicide as would any other madman placed m possession of dangerous tools. That the "mug" punter may be protected from himself and from the wiles of those whom he sets out to beat, •stipendiary stewards have been brought into existence. Some of these men are up to all the tricks v of the trade and thoroughly Justify their existence by pouncing upon dishonest owners, riders and trainers. But far too many stipes are merely conscientious. They do not know their business. They owe their selection to the fact that they are good fellows, good sports and good | spenders. They don't know the first I rudiments of their trade, and- make [just about the same success of it as would a blacksmith apportioned the task bf wrltihg a treatise on the fungus growths of New Guinea. They do i their best, certainly; but that is not the point. They should nevei have been given the job. Fool punters gradually wake up to the . fact that they are not being given the protection which is so liberally paid for. They lose their enthusiasm, and clubs lose their patronage. In some districts all public confidence has been lost m the capabilities of the stipes, and it is quite on the cards that, it the present policy of, appointing men who have not the necessary qualifications be I persisted m, the racing game will become odorous, decadent and, perhaps, extinct m such districts. The stipe should have a special training m his business, Just as has a magistrate or any other person sitting m a Judicial capacity. When a position becomes vacant and applications are called, applicants should be selected from those who fulfil all considerations connected with probity, experience and general personal recommendation. "Then those fulfilling such requirements might be expected to sit for a competitive examination, covering every' phase of the intricate business upon which, they pose as experts, the questions to be drawn up by a special board of experts, and the Individual setting the highest marks to be given the job. The writer does not pose as on expert, and he is actuated only by the hope that he might help to stay the disrepute into which the game ia falling m some centres by season of the incapability of some stipendiary stewards. With due diffidence, and with due deference to. those with a complete knowledge of the business, is it that he suggests that stipes should be compelled to win a competitive examination framed on lines something like the following: (1) Give a brief outline of your racing -experience." (2) In determining a change against j an owner or against a jockey, what i would you term "bad" Instructions? (3) Have you any knowledge of "dope?" Discuss the prooedure you would take and the line your investigations would follow m connection with a suspicion of •'doping.'' (4) Discuss the factors that might enter into a horse's not doing its best. (5) What is meant by the term, "Inconsistent running?" What' matters would you take Into consideration were a charge of "inconsistent running" made m connection with a horse's performance? (6) In considering the issue of apprentices' licenses, what are the chief matters that should be taken Into consideration? (7) How would you conduct an Inquiry relating to, say, a charge of malpractice, brought by an owner against a jockey? (8) Should the Press be admitted to inquiries concerning racecourse Irregularities? Give reasons for your answer.