TALK OF THE DAY.

Otago Witness, Issue 3249, 21 June 1916, Page 52

TALK OF THE DAY.

Bl Sentinel. A PROGRESSIVE MOVE. There its one motion coining before the Racing Conference which has the writer's strongest sympathy, and one it is hoped will be ultimately concerted into racing law. It is the suggeation that at every investigation, either by judicial stewards or by a District Committee, or by judges appointed by the president of the- Racing Conference (and presumably in any inquiry which racing stewards may deem necessary), any person appearing before the investigating body mail be entitled to the assistance ot a legal practitioner or layman friend at such investigation. Many years ago the writer advocated something of a similar nature, and the reason for doing so was born of an attendance at many inquiries, protests, and the many occurrences which occasionally require investigation in connection with racing. Many years ago, when racecourses were not so well equipped as they are today, the stewards' room, press room, social room, etc., were one and the same. Under such ciroumstances the writer heard more than one inquiry where the investigators were comprised of an array of stewards against a trainer or rider, who although capable enough in preparing a horse for a race or when in the saddle, became practically tongue-tied and generally feeble in his own defence, when confronted by stewards asking him a running fire of questions. There is no doubt that the average horseman or trainer is not educationally equipped to hold his own with the average steward, who is generally a successful man of the world, carrying far too heavy a lance in a verbal battle with the person on the carpet. There is no suggestion made that stewards do not wish to distribute justice ; but in some cases onco a charge is made the desire to establish guilt becomes so strong as to savour of bias. Picture, for instance, a rider on the carpet, standing alone against a judicial committee of live, and also a stipendiary steward or two. Such a state of affairs suggests the "third degree" rather than a fair opportunity to establish innocence. In the writer's opinion every facility and opportunity should be freely allowed to establish innocence, and when guilt is conclusivly proved a fault-deterring punishment should certainly follow ; but _ there should never be the remotest chance in the world that the innocent should suffer. In the latest mail to hand from Sydney it is reported that the Australian Jockey Club intends to allow an apprentice to have a representative at any inquiry in which ho may be one of the principals. This is undoubted!/ a progressive move, and one well worthy of adoption in this country. It has been allowed at appeals, and it is just one step forward to permit the privilege to take place from the initiation of any inquiry. Finally, let it be said that the writer can quote more than one disqualification which Bhould never have been, and which on fuller investigation had to be subsequently removed.

THE BEST ODDS. The advocacy for the establishment of the totalisator in England has given rise to many opinions as to the merits and demerits of that system of betting. The Australasian, in the course of a leading article on the subject, said: ''Our experience is that the totalisator pays just about the same price as the ring over a favourite." The. paper named, however, completely overlooks, or is ignorant of the very important fact, that whilst the closing price with the bookmaker and totalisator may not show a great margin, there is no fluctuation or "cream of the market" obtainable with the totalisator. With the mechanical layer ol odds the last backer obtains the same odds as the first. An owner or trainer .may spend heaps of time and money on breeding, training, or buying a horse, and yet with the totalisator system of betting has to take the price the public makes. On the other hand, unless it is forestalled, the stable comes first, and the public follow, ana as a rule are quite content to follow when on a trier, win or lose. That is the great reason why those who know racing and betting prefer the straight-out market to that in which the odds are made so false

that one is sometimes forced to accept evens about something which has only a JO to 1 chance of wdnning. Confirmation of the writer's opinion will be found on perusing the market operations on races as set out in any up-to-date English paper. With the totalisator, on the other hand, thebreeder spending heaps of money on his hobby, the trainer after months of anxiety, and the owner, who pays the. piper, but cannot call the price, comes in on the same ground as the ordinary person, whose responsibility begins with the entrance and exit to a racecourse.- The totalisator makes stakes, and has indeed made racing flourish New Zealand, hut it still remains a fact that when an owner has a good horse in this * country he wants to go to Australia, where the stakes ars comparatively small and the market comparatively largo. Furthermore, there seems good reason to believe that the market is tho prime factor and the stake very small meat. THE "STAR CHAMBER." A motion is to come before the Racing Conference which, if carried into effect, will throw the hearing of all inquiries, protests, etc.. open to the press.. The "Star Chamber" method of conducting inquiries and hearing of other matters in connection with racing has been tilted at again and again, but so far the public: is deprived -of much information to which it is jntitlod. Take, for instance, a case when a horse's running j\s questioned. All tho information given to the public generally consists of the stereotyped phrase that "the explanation given was considered satisfactory." Those who back a horse whoso running has been are keenly anxious to know what was- the evidence tendered and pome inkling of the grounds on which tho stewards' based their verdict. A backer is naturally desirous of knowing if a horse has been beaten on its

merits or if misfortune contributed to defeat. Ho 'wishes to know if a horse is to be followed or dropped; and so much could be supplied by the easy method of clubs publishing sufficient evidence to show the why and wherefore of things. If such a practice were generally adopted there would not be the present and frequentlyoccurring desire to have all inquiries thrown open to the press. There was a time when the writer was not in sympathy with tho idea of admitting the press to inquiries, and for the reason that a racing steward might, in a desire to purify tho turf, do himself injury from a commercial or some other point of view. Some such thing has not infrequently happened in the past. Nowadays, however, we have racing under paid control, and that greatly relieves the honorary steward of any personal blame which he might gather under the old regime. The bald statement that "the explanation was satisfactory" carries a sort of "not proven" verdict, which frequently leaves a stigma on those whose honesty has been challenged; and this is not altogether as it should be. It does not follow that if experienced pressmen were admitted to the hearing of inquiries they would publish anything that could bo discreetly withheld if it was desirable and just that such should be the case. The public is entitled to know at least the gist of the evidence, and it should be imparted either by tho admittance of the press or by a satisfactory " official" notification.

CLASSIC EVENTS. It never rains but it pours is an old stock phrase, and it is applicable to the existing rush on the part of trotting clubs to include events of classic denomination in their programmes. It is not so many years ago that trotting clubs and racing clubs apparently held the impression, and do so still to a certain extent, that tho mere increase of stakes was the only method of catering for sports, and, incidentally, an improvement in the horse. A very few years back the hobbled pacer dominated the situation on the light harness track and does so still, but the real light harness horse now stands a better chance of recognition than it did at any previous period of our racing history. The New Brighton Trotting Club initiated a "Derby," and so established a classic; but, whilst it was a step in the right direction, it is now recognised as a mistake to have given it a name implying local interest instead of Dominion importance. The New Brighton Club may have its race overshadowed by tho stake which the Addington Club contemplates hanging up next season, but the honour of initiation will always be its due. The Forbury Park Club is also entering the lists with a race for three-year-old unhobblcd trotters, and this step is far in advance of anything done further north. Bo that as it may, however, the sum total of the move on the part of the three clubs should give a decided impetus to breeding. The permanent establishment of well-endowed races for three-year-olds will supply a muchneeded boost to light-harness breeding, and it also sounds the death knell of breeding the "auld cart mare" to a stallion and hoping that a champion racer will bo' the result. The inducement to breed on sane lines calculated to improve a breed is best supplied by good stakes open to horses of the same age. It is a duty which clubs generally recognised more in the breach than in the observance; but tho future bears promise of better things, and where we were once so poor we now may become more than "passing rich." The establishment of classic events will certainly bo welcomed by owners of high-class stallions, and supply inducement to import others. Even at tho present time tho establishment of a Sires' Produce Stakes with a fairly substantial nomination for each sire would provo an immediate and permanent success if taken up by a leading club. Every stallion worthy of patronage in both the Dominion and Commonwealth would probably help to build up the stakes and so supply another step towards progress. The improvement in quality would certainly be followed by class racing, and then one could enjoy a trotting race without endeavouring to watch a field spread round the full circumference of a track.

THE SOUTH CANTERBURY HUNT. The South Canterbury Hunt Club has drawn up an attractive programme for their meeting, which is to take place on July 20. The programme consists of three steeple chases, a hurdle race, a couple of flat races, and one for trotters and pacers. The South Canterbury Steeplechase Handicap, of 140sovs, to be run over about two miles and a-half, forms the chief item on tho card, and the other cross-country events are the Tally-ho Steeples, of 55sovs, and the Hunt Club Cup, of 80sovs. The Hack and Hunter's Hurdles, of 50sovs, Hack Race, of 45sovs, Hunters' Race, of 30sovs, and the Washdyke Trot, of 50sovs, complete the bill. Nominations close on Tuesday, July 4.

IN A NUTSHELL. Braebum's record over fences is two starts, two wins. Loading Lady and Bon are now beingtrained by J. M'Cornbe at Ricearton. Pursefiller promises to start a fairly good favourite for the Napier Hurdles. _ —The All Red—Hermosa filly in J. W. Lowe's stable is said to be a nice mover. The Australian rider G. Scobie has won five ctoss-country races :'n as many weeks. Nominations for the South Canterbury Hunt Club's meeting close on Tuesday, July 4 The Napier Park steeplechase meeting takes place on Friday and Saturday of this week. Moulu has been sold to Mr A. Hall, of Wanganui, and has since been schooled over hurdles. A. J. M'Flynn has been engag«d to ride Tim Doolan at tho V.R.C. Grand National meeting. A filly by Comedy King from the Now Zealand-bred mare Cross Battery has been named Folly Queen. -—Nominations for the principal events to be decided at tho Grand National meeting ar© due on June 30. J. Bryco tops the list, o? winning drivers and riders on the trotting track, with A. Pringle coming next. _ A tax is now being levied in England on admission tickets to race meel ing-s, theatres, football matches, etc. Tho pacing stallion Denver Hnon is to bo sent to Australia after the National meeting, and will resume stud duties. Sea Pink, who has gained a place in two Ntew Zealand Cups, figures amongst the nominations for the Melbourne Cup. lion Copo de Ora cost .£1.200; mid if that Is Bo should not prove dear at tho price. Tho Chief, who won on tho second day

at Giaborne, is the old warrior who beat Bercola in the Lincoln Steeples of 1914. Purseiiller was inclined to hang out when racing at Ellerslie, and is expected to be better suited by an ordinary track.

—A. J. Shearsby left for Sydney last week to take charge of Mr P. Armstrong's horses—Sleight of Hand and The Hound. During the just-concluded season tho Government has received from the three trotting clubs in Christchurch .£'20,132 by way of taxation.

A two-year-old filly by Petereta from Murietta Huon is reported to have been sold by Mr J. W. Petrie to Mr W. M. Nam at a good figure.

horses in military service; France, 600,000; Italy, 300,000; Russia, 800,000; and the Central Powers, 1,500,000.

• One of Braoburn's best performances prior to winning over big fences was his fourth in the Sydenham ' Hurdles, run at the last National meeting. First Trim, by Cooltrirn from Annerlie, the dam of Kilts, won over six furlongs in Australia recently, and defeated 13 others comfortably in lmin Msec.

Kilmeny put up an indifferent display in his latest school over the big fences at Riccarton. He seems to have a strong reluctance to face a sod wall.

T. F. Quinlivan will probably leave for Sydney in August with a team made up by Blackall, Eligible, Sasanoff, Sweet Corn, Gold Painting, Shrill, and Shellorna.

—lt is probable that the profits of the Wanganui meeting, which, it is understood, will run into about four figures, will be voted to the Naval Disaster Fund. The question of granting licenses by one committee instead of allowing them to bo issued by metropolitan clubs will again come before the Racing Conference. —Mullifual, who landed two races at Gisborne, was sot bv Mulfcifid from Flag, bv Nelson from The Maid, the dam The Workman, a good horse in his day. —Mr R. Geddes, the owner "of Denver Huon, is sending four colts and a filly got by that sire to M. Edwards during the course of the next couple of months. The 'chaser Silver Monarch, who was injured whilst racing at the Wanganui meeting, has made a good recovery, and is likely to run at the Wellington winter meeting. Soporific and Braeburn are the popular fancy for the Napier Steeples, and have been coupled with Pursefiller. Naupata is another that has been supported for the Steeples. Some horses can run quite a. lot without climbing in the handicap. Mount Victoria ran 45 race 3 last season, and figures at 21b above the minimum in a race at Napier Park.

Despite a substantial drop in totalisator returns for the season, the Dunedin Jockey Club's operation's resulted in the club being able to enrich the war funds to the extent of £llOO.

The North Canterbury owner Mr A. W Rutherford is reported to have placed a commission in Sydney for a couple of imported hoises which are under the hammer this week.

Messrs A. and G. Tye have nominated six imported horses for the Melbourne Cup. The names of the horses are Costello, Forbano, Ben, Lavendo, Brightwater, and Capricious. Move than usual interest is likely to be taken in the Wellington 'winter meeting, which is to extend over three days, and provideo some well-endowed stakes for 'chasers, hurdlers, ard flat-racers. An inquiry was held into the running of the New Zealand hurdler Merrimax at Randwick on June 3, when he went out tmmentioned : : n the betting, and finished last,. The explanation was secerned. Club's committee has agreed that an apprentice jockey appearing before the stipendiary stewards may, if he chooses, be represented by his master or an authorised deputy. —At the present time an apprentice is deprived of his allowance after riding five winners. A motion will come before the Racing Conference with the object of getting the number of winners increased to 20. The obstacles on the Randwick steeplechase course vary in height from 4ft to 4ft lin, excepting one on the hill, which is 3ft 9in high. The brush fences, which are pulled together with block and tackle, go from 2ft Gin to 3ft thick at the top. Lord Ainslee, the winner of the Flying Handicap at Gisborne, is a well-bred sort. He was got by Gazeley from Lady Ainslie. by Grafton—Dona, by Savanaka—Lady Gi-eville, by Chandos—Lady Chester, the dam of Chester, St. George, and Roodee. The imported sire Bronzino, said to have cost 12,000sovs in England, had a winner at Randwick at the A.J.C. winter meeting. His winning representative was a colt named Bruck, whose dam Styria was got by Haut Brion from Trieste, by Chester—Tempo. The opening of the season in England was marked by some unusually large fields. In a two-year-old race at Newbury 33 runners faced the starter, and in a ra-ce for three-year-olds 36 went to the post. In the last-mentioned race a hot favourite scored. The brilliant mare Spurn is to go into work again at Randwick. She was put out for a compulsory holiday of two years. One of her performances was to beat Traquette. Woorak, Brattle, Garlin, and a unmber of others very decisively in the A.J.C. All-aged Stakes.

The Atustro-Hnngarian Government has gran+ed leave of absence from the front to al 1 jockeys and boys engaged in rnoe-riding. When the season is over they return to tbo ranks. It is said that there, will be an increase of racing fixtures in Germany this season.

—Aj field of no fewer than 63 figured on the card for ?. meeting at Victoria Park on May 31. Fifty-three figured in another race, and 57 in another. These figures convey some idea- a,s to how racing booms aloneat the proprietary .meeting held artmnd Sydney.

The San Fran gelding Sam Pan, who figures amongst the- accentors in the Napier Steeples, displayed fairish form at (ho last National nicotine. He finished second to Harbour Light, in the Jumpers' Flat, and was fairly close tip to the placed lot in the National Hurdles. Gazette, who beat Marconi and others at Oifbonio. is n gelding by from a Stonyhurst mare. At, Ihe Grand National meeting of 191! he von the Sumner Handicap, and later in the season also won rt Otaki and Poverty Bay. He was also placed in tli roe other races. —Tt is reported that the price rmid for King Cole was C7~/), TP* purchaser. Mr Cribb, also paid £I2OO for Yiviouno (Nine; Cole— and £."00 for Queen of Sondes 'Kim; Cole —Norice). A couple of yearlings bred at ihe Coldstream Stud were also purchased by Mr Crihb. The Oamam Trotting Club has experienced a fjUccessful season. Stakes for the year showed an increa.se of ,-£P>OO, and a profit over operations ran to about .£IOO. The club has in £GS7, and buildings valued at ■£looo. A donation of 6200 was made io the Wounded Soldiers' Fund. The Dunedin Jockey Club will probably receive a good deal of support in their desire to raise the minimum to 7.0 by Ihe faot that the Auckland district clubs are brhigmr' forward ;' motion io make ihe minimum, weight in nil handicap races outside the metropolitan meetings not loss than 7st.

—lt is reported that over 600,000 horses havo been shipped from the United States during the past year for use in the European war. They averaged about 150doi to the sellers, and tho cost of transport, education, etc., to get them into service must have amounted to another big heap of money. South Canterbury Hunt Club's meeting attracting a gocid deal of patronage from horse-owners. It is handily placed on the calendar, and no doubt several horses that are booked to race at the National meeting may also figure at the South Canterbury meeting. A mild sensation was caused in Christchurch a few days ago by the fact that Mr T. Sheen, of Auckland, sent instructions to the effect that Admiral Wood and Minston, two smart pacers in which he held an interest, should be removed from a certain trainer's care. The matter, however, was settled by Mr Sheen parting with his interest in the horses.

The dual Derby winner Bon Reve, and one who also split winning honours in the Stewards' Handicap, as well as being a Wanganui Guineas winner, is booked to make his debut ao a "hack" hurdler at Napier Park this week. Sir Solo, a winner of the Wellington Cup and Manawatu Cup, is also down to figure as a hack hurdler at the same meeting. A writer in a Sydney paper states that Mr E. Hulton, who owns Fifenella, the winner of this year's English Derby, is not known aa a betting owner, but does not hesitate to invest £IOOO on any of his horses that he has a particular fancy for." Well, that seems modest, enough in the way of betting ; but in this country one is dubbed a gambler if he risks an occasional sovereign on the totalisator.

—Mr Frank Armstrong has been particularly unfortunate in his venture on the Australian turf. A cable announcing the death of his fine 'chaser Morning was followed by another, giving the painful news of the death of A. Goodwin, the trainer of his team. From, reports to hand Goodwin was not in the best of health when he left Wellington, and had to enter a private hospital on his arrival in Melbourne.

The cable message announcing the death of Mr A. Goodwin would be read with widespread regret. Be had for several years acted as private trainer to Mr Frank Armstrong, and recently left for Australia with Morning, Sleight of Hand, and The Hound. Mr Goodwin trained Morning when that horse won the National Hurdles, the Beaufort and Lincoln Steeples, and in former years was associated with the late Mr W. Douglas's stable

The Lethe gelding Soporific, who figures as top-weight m the Napier Steeples, was much in evidence at the back end of last season. Ho won the Hack Steeples and Grandstand Steeples at Wanganui, and then scored in the Hawke's Bay Steeples. He ran off in the June Steeples, and failed to get amongst the money in the Napier Steeples, in which he was carrying 12.4. At this time he was regarded as one of the most promising 'chasers in training. Many racegoers will remember J. J. Hum, who did a good deal of riding at Otago and Southland meetings some few years ago. A card has come to hand from him, and states that he left Australia with the First Australian Division, and is now in a convalescent hospital in Alexandria, recovering from an attack of muscular rheumatism. He has been with the troops since the first, and now signs himself Sergeant J. J. Hum, A Company, Twelfth Battalion, First Australian Division.

The Riccarton trainers are taking in hand several horses which have been treated to a spell, as well as several yearlings. Snub, Disdainful, and Wardancer are to be recommissioned by Murray-Aynsley. Moddite and Meltchikoff are doing easy work in W. M'Donald's stable, which also shelters Samiel, Marabout (Elysian —Lady Gwen), and a yearling brother to the last-named. Marc Antony rejoins the active list in Thompson's stable, whilst A. M'Auley is busy with a Flavus—Lady Content yearling, a yearling by Rain, a yearling filly by Kilbroney—Orange Pippin, the two-year-old filly Furling, and the English-bred filly Henriette, by Henry the First —Minnie Orme.

Mr J. B. Thompson's paoers Antonio, Zara, and Raeburn arc being treated to a spell. The trotting stallion Lord Derby has been purchased by a breeder in the Gore district.

The Wyndham Racing Club has donated £l5O to the war funds, and £2O to the Red Cross Society. The English bred mare Revalenta is being kept busy, and will probably bo seen out at Trentham and Riccarton.

Soa. Pink ran a good third in the Sandringham Handicap, run over 10 furlongs, at the Flemington Birthday mooting. Leonta, who finished second in the last Grand National Hurdles, is reported to be schooling satisfactorily in his work. Tho annual meeting of the New Zealand Racing Conference will take place on July 14 The Trotting Conference will sit on July 11. It is estimated that about 50 horses will bo eligible for nomination in the New Zealand Trotting Cup, of 2500sovs—4min 36se-o or better.

Tho Wildwood-Alico Azmoor horse Wild Moor, has been purchased by Mr T. Roe, of Hawke's Bay. Wild Moor is the sire of Country Belle. Tannhauser is to be schooled over hurdles.

Nine yearlings bred by Sir George Clifford have been handled, and, all going well, will carry his colours next season. During eleven clays' racing at Ellerslio fcho totalisator investments on the 85 races run during the season amounted to £513.940 10s or £13,850 less than during the previous season.

The Australian Jockey Club recently ' made further donations to the war funds in 5 the shape of gifts of £2OOO to the French i Rod Cross Society, £IOOO to the Belgian Ro- ! lief Fund, and £250 to the Y.M.C.A. • Sir Solo displayed fairly good form on ] the flat, and as he is shaping well in his ' schooling, ho should help to lend interest I to some of the jumping events to he de- \ eided during the next two or three months. j 0. Emerson expects to leave this week \ for Sydney, lie will remain in Australia, I and fulfil riding engagements during the ! winter, his present intention being to rei turn to New Zealand in October, after the | spring meeting of the Australian Jockey i Club.

Kihtieuy was schooled in company with j Mescal and a Euvoclydon gilding oven- the ! big country at Riccarton, Kilmeny and I Mescal shaped satisfactorily, although the former displayed a reluctance to face tho j sod wall. The unnamed gelding made a ! couple of mistakes.

At the monthly meeting of the committee of the Southland Racing Club it was decided to appeal to the Racing Conference against the decision of the Dunedin District Committee in reversing the club's disqualification of R. B. Berry for two years at tho recent autumn meeting. It is said that something like a record

price for Southland was paid for the Four Chiracs—Lady Harold gelding Rialto, which has boon purchased by Mr W. N. Wilson from Mr W. M'M'Cutcheon. Lady Harold is a sister to Hero,, and was sot by King Harold from Bella, by Topthorn. F. P. Claridgo, who has relinquished training to go into business, v. as some years ago amongst the leading gentlemen riders of his day. At one time lie acted as private trainer to the late Mr St. John Buckley, and for many years past has taken an active part in racing as a rider, trainer, and owner.

At a meeting of the committee of the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club, held on Monday, tho conditions of this year's Now Zealand Clip were considered. It was decided that the stake should remain at 2500sovs, but tho class limit was reduced, and the event will be confined to horsesthat have done 4.36 or better in an advertised race.

Tho New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club has decided to establish a special race for three-year-olds, and the New Zealand Metropolitan Derby Stakes will form an attractive feature of next year's Easter meeting. The race will be over a mile and a-half, with a flying start, and will be worth 500sovs, of which the second horse will receive 125eovs, and the third 75sovs.

One of the most, promising youngsters at Ricearton is Biplane, one of 11. J. Mason's team. Biplane was got by Comedy King from Air Motor, by Ayr Laddie—Windmill, by Goldsbrough. Air Motor has been most unlucky at the stud. Since 1909 two of her foals have died, then came a miss, followed by a slipped foal. Windmill, the grand dam of Biplane, is the dam af Spalpeen, whose son El (-Jallo has been so successful over hurdles and fences. Tho Now Zealand 'chaser Tim Doolan ran a good third in the Hopetown Steeplechase, run at Flemington on Juno 3. He lost ground during the early part of the race, but came with a fast run at tho finish. The stewards asked for an explanation of his running, and accepted the answer as satisfactory. Tim Doolan had not raced for some little time, but is reported to be looking in fine order. In the race under notice he gave a splendid exhibition of fast jumping.

A copy of the C.J.C. Grand National programme, got up in book form, is to hand. The prize list is the same a-- last year, and tho only alteration consists in changing the positions of some of the races from those which they held on tho card during the past. The handicaps for the Grand National Steeplechase. Grand National Rurdles. and the Winter Cup will not be declared until Friday, July 21, or several days after the conclusion of the Wellington meeting. The declaration of the weights will also clear tho South Canterbury Hunt meeting, which is to take place on Julv 20.