REVISED RACING RULES.

Otago Witness, Issue 1970, 22 August 1889, Page 24

REVISED RACING RULES.

Wellington, August 21. The revised racing rules, as adopted at a meeting of delegates held last week, have just been issued. The number of meetings has been limited to five a year, and the average amount of stakes at £500 per diem for those clubs holding five meetings, going down to £100 per diem for those clubs which only hold one meeting annually. No limitation is made as to the amount of added money necessary where the clubs do not use the totalisator Every programme must be submitted to and approved by the committee of the metropolitan club, who have power at their discretion to refuse their approval unless the programme is altered as they may direct, thus giving them the power to put a stop to pony or trotting meetings. ' The minimum weight for handicap hurdle races has been raised to 9.0, and for steeplechases to 9.7. A new rule has been introduced which practically kills flat racing during the winter months. This rule provides that during the months of June, July, and August the lowest) weight in any race, on the flat shall not be less weight than 10.0. A new rule has been brought in limiting the duration of any race to 20 minutes, thus preventing the fiasco that is occasionally witnessed in Maiden Steeplechases and races of a similar character, when the horses get stuck up and do not finish for possibly half an hour after the start. Among the rules bearing on corrupt practices is the disqualification of any person laying totalisator odds. Another important alteration is with regard to colours Every owner registering his colours has the sole right in place of prior right to them. . " The qualifications of gentlemen riders are distinctly defined. Gentlemen riders must be propoeed and seconded •in writing by the members of the club, and any person who has received payment for work in connection with training, or riding is debarred from acting. Rules have been adopted for governing steeplechase meetings, and a scale of weight for age races has been included. These alterations will certainly simplify many matters, and should prove acceptable to racing men generally.