THE PONY-RACING QUESTION.

Otago Witness, Issue 2319, 11 August 1898, Page 35

THE PONY-RACING QUESTION.

Lively discussion is expected at the annual meeting of the A.J.C. on the 16th, when the new rules about pony-racing are to come up for consideration. It will probably be argued, " Umpire " writes, that the passing of such rules will not guarantee a definite restriction of unregistered meetings. There are two pony clubs the A.J.C. can directly control, but four other pony clubs at present nourishing would escape their authority. Therefore if, for instance, the clubs of Canterbury and Moorefield were compelled to desist from pony-racing, the other clubs would fill up the dates so vacated with programmes. Consequently there would be little advantage in damaging the pecuniary interests of two clubs for the result of driving their business on to other courses. Pony-racing would not bo lessened by such a course, and whatever the A.J.C. may do later on, there does not seem to be any present intention of directly prohibiting any one meeting of the class objected to. This is putting all the pony clubs on one footing at any rate. The ruling body, however, with a desire to make pony meetings uninteresting and poor affairs, that may die out for lack of support 'in Jimo, proposes to damage them indirectly and directly by the operation of the proposed

now rules. Everyone interested in racing, in training, riding, or professionally belting at registered meetings \a to be debarred from taking any part in pony meetings under pain of disqualification. This will compel those who wish to retain interest in horso-racing proper, either at Randwick or at other registered meetings, to throw up any connection with pony meetings. There are many trainers who train both horses and ponies, especially those working their charges at Kensington, Canterbury, and Moorefield tracks. It only affects one or two Randwick trainers. Jockeys are already barred, but bookmakers are to be compelled to give up betting at pony meetings. The embargo will be extended to their clerks, and to make further sure of the bookmakers, those betting in town on pony races will forfeit their qualification under tho A.J.C. If tho new rules are passed no owner of a racehorse may run a pony. If he does, all horses in which ho is interested will be thereby disqualified. It was under a similar rule that Sir Rupert Clark's horses were recently disqualified in Victoria. The proposal to license all trainers of horses in the metropolitan district is important. The radius is 40 miles from the General Post Office, and no horse will be eligible to race iinless at the time of entry its trainer shall be licensed. All these matters are to be law after Sept-ember 1 if the proposed rules are adopted.