THE CONFERENCE

Otago Witness, Issue 2372, 17 August 1899, Page 36

THE CONFERENCE

I have to thank Mr Wanklyn for a copy of tho proceedings at the recent meeting of the Racing Conference. Attached to the official report is a summary of the minutes showing the practical boaring of some of the altertions inado in the Rules of Racing, and as this is of use to the various clubs and the public generally I give it in full — 1. All clubs are recommended to arrange for entries, acceptances, etc., being received at feme other pi. ice than hotels. It is hoped thai> t>>»B xtvymiux&ualiQn will be xm*i<wmi*j t*A**\

upon, to avoid the necessity of a special rule upon the subject. 2. Registration of Clubs. — Registration under this rule is not required until August 1, 1900, but any club formed during the current year and all clubs which have not had the use of tho totalisator during the year ending August 1, 1899, must apply under this rule for a certificate of registration prior to the meeting of the Racing Conference in or about July 1900. 3. By new Rule- 32a, catch weight races are abolished. Any such race, if run, would be void, and it would be tho duty of the stewards to declare it so. 4. New Rule 42a limits the amoun3 which " hacks " can win without disqualifying themselves for " hack " races. In answer to queries on this point, I may point out that under the Rules of Racing open races may be included in the programme of hack meetings at the option of the committee. It is also permissible under this rule to confine races to horses which have not won a certain sum in stakes, provided always that horses which have won open races are not barred. Clubs will note that winnings prior to August 1, 1899, do not exclude horses from hack races, and that programmes published prior to that date are not affected. 5. In future the secretaries of racing clubs must exercise care that the entries received by them shall strictly comply with the amendment of Rule 46, which invalidates an . entry unless ita provisions are complied with. 6. New Rule 46a. This rule will affect ownerß who have been accustomed to run horses in the trainer's name. The difficulty as to assessing the interests in a divided ownership is met by publication of the same in the Official Calendar under new Rule 59a. 7. All horses running subject to the dividedinterests enumerated in new Rule 59a without compliance with its provisions will be subject to disqualification at the instance of the stewards or of an objector. Failure to register such interests is made a penal offence by Rule 136, new clause. 8. The new rules as to the starter and the abolition of the practice of running off dead heats require no comment. 0. The amendment to Rule 137 secures the disqualification of all horses owned by a disqualified person at the time when his offence was committed. 10. The sjmiendment to Rule 138 provides for j the immediate notification of disqualifications throughout the country. 11. With regard to the suggested rules for registering trainers, jockeys, and apprentices, which were reserved for iurther consideration, I shall he glad to receive suggestions for their improvement or alteration. 12. Prior to the next meeting of the conference all clubs will be required to furnish the proposed dates of their race meetings for the ensuing season. 13. Arrangements have been made by which the Official Calendar will contimio to be issued weekly as heretofore, but in addition a copy of a monthly compilation of its official information will bo published on the first Saturday of each month and forwarded gratuitously to all racing clubs qualified foi registration. Officials of racing clubs will greatly assist in rendering the Racing Calendar complete by promptly furnishing the editor with complete , returns of race meetings, and with all other matter needing insertion. 14. Hereafter, breaches of the rules relating to the naming of horses and the use of unregistered assumed names will be punishable by fine as provided.