TALK OF THE DAY.

Otago Witness, Issue 3673, 5 August 1924, Page 51

TALK OF THE DAY.

By

Sentinel.

OUR SDLONS. The sayings of our Soions in the Houst. of Parliament, even when they do not display any great traits of statesmanship, instriictiveness, or the logical mind which one expects from those who deliver their official dictums on matters of public interest bearing on the welfare of the country, are at least food for gossip. Some interesting remarks were made when the Gaming Amendment Bill was mentioned the other day. Mr Parry opened by say ing that the Government should set up a. committee before whom everyone connected with racing, from horse-oiyners down to the man who made bets with bookmakers, could give evidence. He quoted the chairman of the Avondale Racing Club as having cast a serious reflection on the constitution of the Racing Conference. Mr Parry made a most unhappy seelction when he mentioned the chairman of the above-named club as his authority for claiming that dissatisfaction existed regarding the constitution of the Racing Conference. Mr Parry must be supremely ignorant of the fact that the Avondale Jockey Club and the Takapuna Jockey Club were, not so very long ago, hauled over the coals, and severely admonished by the Gaming Commission and the Racing Conference, and ordered to reconstruct and completely alter the management of their affairs. It was, no doubt, whilst smarting under the unwelcome publicity bestowed on the control of these clubs that the chairman of the Avondale Jockey Club attacked the Racing Conference. Mr Parry then proceeded to talk utter bunkum about horses running at different weights to those published in the race books. He admitted that any alterations were usually posted on a blackboard. Mr Parry, if he has any knowledge of racing—and he apparently thinks he has when he addresses Parliament on the subject—must know that the amount of overweight which a horse may carry in a race is not known until the rider goes to the scales to weigh out, half an hour before the horses go to the starting post. It is thus absolutely impossible to supply the information in any other way than by posting it on a blackboard. It is ridiculous to suggest that the race book should always supply the weights which »■ horse, for some unforeseen reason, may have to carry in a race. Mr Savage also hurled a stone at the Racing Conference. He claimed that everybody associated with racing was, body and soul, in the hands of the conference. Mr Savage must surely recognise that it as imperative that such a very large concern as that represented by racing must have a controlling body to see that the rules are observed, and that there must be some finality in the administration of the meetings. Football, cricket, bowling, tennis, and other games are undei* the control of governing bodies, which have the right, freely granted by those interested, to administer the rules attached to these games, and have power and finality in saying how far their rules may travel. If it were otherwise, the control of sport and games would always be in a continual muddle. The man of common sense could contend otherwise. Even in the game of law-making there is a rigid control and finality as to what shall be converted into law. Mr Savage went on to speak about jockeys being compelled to get down to impossible weigh;s. He said the practice of making jockeys ride at 6.7 was totally against the dictates of Nature. Does Mr Savage insinuate that a jockey who walks 8.0 or 9.0 is compelled to ride at 6.7? He quoted Dr Truby King and others as being anxious to build up a nation of stalwart men, ivhilst jockey clubs were trying t° sweat them to paper-weights. Did anyone ever hear such arrant nonsense? Anyone who has ever been on a racecourse cannot fail to note that only persons who are naturally cast in a very small mould adopt a jockey’s career. If there was no such thing as horse-racing there would still he very small men as well as big men. In just the same way we have small apples and big apples. The only way to completely eradicate small men would be to prevent them from making a, natural increase. All the scientists in the world cannot control the size of human

beings. Small men receive a golden opportunity through racing, as it affords them a great chance to wax rich and prosperous in a way that is denied them in any other walk of life. The facts that a jockey occasionally has to shed a little superfluous fat, if not carried to ridiculous extremes, very possibly does more good than harm to his general health. Is it not a fact that periodically v/asting or controlling the appetite is a stern religious rite with some nations and religions? It is considered very necessary in the interests of general health. The Racing Conference guards against wasting in winter months by compelling clubs to have a 9st minimum. Nature reduces the fat of the energetic man in the summer months, and seemingly Nature is hostile to man accumulating rather too much fatty tissue. A jockey for his own private ends can surely give a mild assistance to Nature in the interests of both his health and bis pocket. Mr Savage did say something wise wnen he said that the condition of courses and the size of fields were matters which required grave consideration. Mr F. Langstone urged the redistribution of race meetings. This is a particularly brilliant idea if it means the destruction of racecourses on which vast amounts of money have been expended in order that the public can enjoy the sport in the greatest possible comfort. If by redistribution he means that some permits should be taken from established clubs and bestowed on new ones, then he is apparently desirous of increasing the racecourses with which New Zealand is already oversupplied. New Zealand has a sinful amount of capital lying idle for 364 days in the year because it has been expended in the equipment of racecourses which are in use on only one day in the year. The writer cordially agrees with Mr A. L. Monteith that jockeys should have the right of representation at all inquiries and appeal boards which hold their livelihoods in their hands. This has been advocated in these columns at different times for many years past. It is distinctly unfair that a rider, perhaps immediately after the he iff, and excitement of a race, should be haled before a body of stewards and subjected to a« cross-fire of questions, without anyone being present to protect his interests. That is one of the few redeeming statements made in the House when the Gaming Amendment peeped over the threshold. It is quite obvious that the majority of speakers on the matter are badly in need of some such instructive information as that which might be gathered by evidence given before a special committee set up to consider the question. Much valuable evidence could be gathered from men closely interested in racing, but who are not identified with the Racing Conference or a racing club. Any such evidence would be free from the axe-grinding taint, although it would not run hostile to controlling powers held by the Racing Conference and racing clubs, with a very full and cordial approval of rdl those who' know racing and hold its best interests at heart. Tne Labour members are apparently hostile to the government of racing. Let them remember that when, during the war, strong and determined efforts were made to stop racing, the* Racing Conference and others fought hard, and fought successfully, to keep it going, not because it was a sport and a pastime, but because it was a vast industry which, if brought to a standstill, would have thrown thousands out of employment who were physically unfit to carry a gun. Are the Labour members anxious to attack a vast industry which pays the best wages in the world to those that emerge from the rank and file of mediocrity? What more does Labour want? What . more can it want? THE GRAND NATIONAL HURDLES. Several horses engaged in this year’s Grand National Steeplechase have won considerable distinction on the flat, and if they have preserved their brilliancy it should supply some rapid travelling between the battens and result- in a fast-run race if track conditions are favourable. _ Near the top of the list is Income, with winning honours still fresh upon him as a result of a very decisive win in the Parliamentary Handicap. Another success he scored was when he gave weight and a beating to Marqueteur in tha Malone Memorial, run at the Stratford meeting. He was a good third to Gold Light when attempting to give her 251 b in the A.R.C. Grandstand Handicap; he was second to Muraahi (in receipt of 281 b) in the A.R.C. Handicap; ne won the Summer Cup with 9.0 in. 2.7, beating Gold Light- 7.9, Illumination 7.7, Bonnetter 8.2, Royal Star 8.7, King’s Trumpeter 8.2, and several others. This form followed his third with 8.8 to Scion 8.2 in the Auckland Cup and Insurrection 8.3, with a good field behind them. Income lias several other really good performances to his credit, and as they are fairly recent, an aptitude for crossing hurdles will make him a very formidable opponent in the Grand National Hurdles. Vagabond won the New Zealand Cup of 1919, be was second in the same race to Royal Star in 1921, and second to General Advance in the last Grand National Hurdles. Boomerday followed home the dead-heaters Muraahi and Te Kara in the last Auckland Cup when carying 6.111. The same horse has also some otlier good form to his credit on the flat, but it does not read nearly so well as that- possessed by Income. Boomerday has, however, won over hurdles in heavy going at the Auckland Winter meeting, and, that being so, his form in Wellington Winter Hurdles was probably too bad to be true. Any horse could, however, be excused for running a bad race in such bad going as. that existing on the second day at Trentham. Omahu is another horse with good form on the flat, and in addition he has won both over hurdles and fences. One of his wins was scored in the M'Rae Memorial Handicap, run at- the Egmont Winter meeting of 1922. In this race' Income was third with 9.1 and giving 271 b to the winner. Others in the field have displayed useful form on the flat, and there is good reason for believing that there wil be no loitering in the way from jump to jump in this year’s race for the Grand National Hurdles. Nukumai figures at the top of the list with 11.8 to carry, and even in the face of his recent successes at Wellington he seems to have a hard task in conceding weight to Income. Nukumai won the Winter

Hurdles with 9.15, and followed on by winning the Final Hurdles with 11.1. On each occasion tie won really well, and, .apparently, with a. good deal in hand. In tneGrand National Hurdles he will meet Loehson on 91b worse terms than when they meet in th© Final Hurdles, and on no less than 251 b worse terms than in the Winter Hurdles. It must be remembered that the Final Hurdles were decided in very false going, and the -attempt to balance the form over the meeting is very wide in margin. The going at Riccarton never becomes so false as at Trentham in bad weather, and if track conditions hampered Lochson at Trentham if will be seen that he has a rather liberal allowance in his favour when saddled up at Riccarton. Still, on the face of tilings as they occurred at Trentham, Nukumai gave Lochson fully a 51b beating over a mile and three-quar-ters. As Nukumai won on both days atTrentham, and displayed his best form up to date", the handicap for the Grand National Hurdles is hinged on His form. In the Grand National Hurdles Nukumaimeets Vagabond on 51b worse terms, Maunga on 81b, Boomerday on 71b, Tinokaha on 9lb, Captain Sarto on 81b, Santiago on 81b, Le Forte on 71b, and Penury Rose on 9! b worse terms. Alteration was handicapped at 9.8 in the Final Hurdles, but- did not start, and can now meet Nukumai on Sib better terms. It has to be recognised that the Final Hurdles could not be accepted a.s a reliable line to form, but, all things being equal, on soft or firm going then Nukumai should beat all he met at Trentham on the final day of the meeting. Going back to the Winter Hurdles, where the going and distance supplied a more reliable guide than the Final Hurdles, it will be found that Nukumai meets Lochson on BJb. Vagabond on 81b, Alteration on 101 b, Sir Rosebery on 151 b, Tinokaha on 111 b, Boomerday on 81b, Maunga on 21b, Mandrake on 14lb, Santiago on 81'd, Lochella on 211 b, Captain Sarto on 81b, and Penury Rose on 111 b worse terms. Omahu has been harshly dealt with in being asked to meet Nukumai on lib worse terms, as the latter has been sent up 71b to the former’s life of 81b. Sir Rosebery, it was generally admitted, was not ready to show" his best form at Trentham, and, if that is so, ho is well treated in being able to come in on the very substantial margin ” of 151 b better terms, and this in the face of the fact of his winning form at Auckland. Maunga, in common with Omahu, has been harshly treated, but the latter is really handicapped as if he had beaten Nukumai in the hurdles, instead of Pamplona in the Steeples. Some of the above margins read wide and somewhat risky. Boomerday’s form was not in keeping with his Auckland display, as he was never really in the hunt over the last mile at Wellington. Lochson ran a good race each day. and the margin in his favour over the Winter Hurdles should bring Nukumai back to him at Riccarton. The fact, however, remains that Nukumai won, and won vwell, and on Trentham form he and Lochson ' look the hardest to heat at Trentham. Vagabond. Sir Rosebery, Boomerday, and Omahu, despite his harsh handicap, may be found in the fighting’ line at. the end of two miles and a-half. There is, of course, new blood in the shape of Income, Gamecock, Royal Star, Merry Singer (who won. and -also ran a good second at Trentham), and Likelihood to be considered. At this stage, writing over a week before the race, and also before the Canterbury Hunt meeting comes u-p for decision, it appears that Nukumai and Lochson may find the strongest support, and then Income demands attention. Vagabond and Royal Star will be staving on when most of the others may be found hanging out signals of distress, and two of the best outsiders may prove to be 1.0 Forte and Likelihood. RACING REFORM. Judging by the nature of the discussion by the Labour members on the Gaming Amendment Bill when it received just about the ghost of a chance to proclaim its existence, these gentlemen are extremely anxious to remedy all the alleged or real evils connected with racing. The discussion really took the form of an attack on the Racing Conference, and no doubt the same politicians may,, have a club or two in reserve for the Trotting Conference. If some of our politicians, who seem to become bellicose when the government of racing or of anything else is under discussion, are really anxious to work in a whole-hearted manner for the betterment of racing and trotting, they have an easy method of remedy at their own hands without interfering in the slightest with those in control of both sports and who, like themselves, are elected to their position by popular vote of the followers of sport. If they are anxious to do so, it _ will be necessary to adopt a different attitude towards the Gaming Amendment Bill, and not treat it as a political bone to be wrangled over by the political dogs in the various sections of the political kennel. (This is not said in any desire to speak derogatively of bur politicians, but it is used merely as a figure of speech.) Let it be said that there is not merely half as much wrong with racing as some people endeavour to make out. In fact-, there is very little wrong with racing, and the little that is wrong could be very easily remedied. Talking balderdash in the House of Parliament will not- effect a remedy in whatever may be wrong with racing. Those who talk in that strain clearly do not know enough about racing to effect what may be desirable remedies. Political doctors must be able to thoroughly and competently diagnose trouble and its source before they can set about effecting a cure in anything _ that prevents racing from being in a desirable state of health. Any cure is not likely to be effected if the Gaming Amendment Bill is to be eagerly seized as a bludgeon to attack those in power and an appreciated authority by those who are perhaps more anxious about the welfare of the turf than those who have the privilege of debating upon it in Parliament. Racing is a national pastime, and seemingly some politicians are anxious to use it as a rung in the political ladder by which they may hope to mount to greater prominence, although prominence does not always necessarily mean greater power. The real welfare of racing as a national pastime may be a secondary consideration. If there are a fair number of members of Parliament genuinely desirous of smoothing out the real difficulties in. connection with racing, and the difficulties do- not merely extend to a demand for an increase of permits, let them set solidly to work and suspend the law of libel in so far as it affects racing during the next six months, and it would not then be necessary to set expensive machinery in motion nor hold up important affairs of the country in order to discuss its pleasures. Whatever the Racing Conference or people competent to

judge deem detrimental to the welfare of sport could soon, under the suggestion made, be chased out of existence. If the pen is mightier than the sword, a few sharp pencils would make a very powerful quiverful to kill anything considered dangerous to good, clean, healthy racing. The pencil could do better work than political gas, which may not- be lighting up what is the real desire of some spokes m the political wheel. A POPULAR SPORT. It would be quite safe to predict that when the gates are opened on August 9 for the first day of the Metropolitan Trotting. Club’s meeting the enclosures will, as usual,- be taxed to their capacity as soon as the racing is in full swing. It is really remarkable what a 'tremendous grip lightharness racing has secured in this country. Strange to say, it has secured a much stronger hold on sportswomen than sportsmen. This opinion is forced on one who scans the spectators at Addington when they are gathered cn the lawn and stands whilst a race is in progress. It is equally strange that only a small percentage of the leaders in the racing world take any interest in the running of the light-harness horse. It may also be said that those who cannot arouse enthusiasm in connection with the pacer base their objection on the ground that there is far too much artificial aid granted to assist a horse’s speed. If the trotting authorities endeavoured to cultivate the unhoppled pacer as well as the unhoppled trotter a lot of the prejudice against light-harness racing as a sport would probably die away. It is difficult to enthuse about any form of pastime which is dependent on artificial methods for success. For that reason an artist’s record on a phonograph must always rank second to the pleasure cf hearing the natural voice. Be that as it may, the fact does not stop the multitude from gathering in their thousands whenever there is an attractive lightharness programme on offer. One great reason why light-harness racing is so popular is clue to the small, circumference of the trotting tracks, and hence the public see a lot more for their money than they can at Riccarton or any of the real racecourses which are big enough to allow a thoroughbred to stride out to the full extent of its powers. Another great reason why the sport is so popular with the people is due to the fact that the majority can distinguish the difference between a horse with a 2.25 record and one with a 2.30 record. On the other hand, comparatively few people can of will even endeavour to analyse a handicap to be decided by the gallopers. Another- peculiar fact about racing and trotting is that whilst the fullest publicity is bestowed on the times put up by the various gallopers on the training track, such information is invariably" withheld in connection with the trotters and pacers. Yet it is a fact that on race days the public seem to gather more “information” concerning the strength of a field of pacers than what is the case about a field of gallopers. Here, again, there is another great reason why trotting makes such a strong appeal to the general public. The fact remains that a well-considered opinion holds the belief that those, who follow racing get a- better run for their money than those who follow trotting. In the latter sport there is far too much money thrown in ihe air by horses losing their chances through failing to get going. at the start- of a race or through breaking up during its progress. These drawbacks do not apply with anything like equal force to flat racing. The luck of the run in a big field on a small trotting track is also too big a factor in bringing about the result, or, in other words, the best- herse must also have a lot of luck in his favour. Then, again, what may be termed the top weight in a light-harness race is frequently in a hopeless position as far as a chance of winning is concerned, and this is substantiated by the very few horses that- win from the base of a trotting handicap. There are other considerations—but enough! THE OTAGO HUNT MEETING. A good sporting programme has been arranged for the annual race meeting held by the Otago Hunt Club. The Dunedin Jockey Club has again granted permission for the Hunt Club to use the Wingatui Racecourse, and hence the concession materially assists the succes of the meeting. The meeting will take place on Saturday, August 30, when an eight-item card will form the attraction to followers of cross-country sport, hurdle racing, flat racing, and also to light-harness people, who think no programme complete without a race for pacers and trotters. The chief item on the card will be the Otago Hunt Club Cup Steeplechase, of lSOsovs and a cup valuc-d at 25sovs, which is to.be- presented by Mr B. S. Irwin, who is president of the Hunt Club. Next- in point of value is the Jockey Club Handicap, of 130sovs, seven furlongs. The balance of the card is made up by the Hunters’ Hurdles, of 125sovs, or.e mile and a-half; Kennels Handicap, of 125sovs, six furlongs; Wingatui Trotting Handicap, of 120sovs, one mile and a-half; Maiden Steeplechase, of 125sovs (for qualified hunters), about two miles; Vauxhall Handicap, of lOOsovs, seven furlongs; and the Hunters’ Plate Handicap, of 125sovs, one mile and a-quarter, for qualified hunters. Nominations are due on Friday, August 8, at 8 p.m., and the handicaps wil lbe compiled by Mr J. E. Henrys and Mr H. Brinkman.