THE RACING CONFERENCE.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 9796, 16 July 1903, Page 1

THE RACING CONFERENCE.

(Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, last night. At the Racing Conference a committee appointed to consider whether criminal proceedings should be instituted against the parties concerned m the Opportunity ringing-in case, reported that it was inexpedient to prosecute. A motion from the Otago country clubs to alter the amount of the stakes payable to an average of £30 per race, instead of £150* per day, was negatived. The Conference negatived the proposal that clubs holding race meetings on two or more days shall include at least one hurdle race on each of the days. It was decided to call the attention of stewards to the rule regarding the appointment of a- judicial committee to deal with matters relating to protests and disqualifications. It was resolved that a kick shall be regarded as a horse which, at the time . of nomination has not won a race of 80 sovereigns m value, or races fo the collective value of 200 sovereigns. A motion making it compulsory for a starting machine to be used at all race meetings lapsed. It was agreed to make it compulsory to weigh every article carried by a horse m a race ; also that no allowance m weight be given to gentlemen riders when competing afcainst professionals. The latter rule will not affect the programmes already issued. A' motion to distribute the fees received by the Metropolitan Club among country clubs for the purchase of trophies for gentlemen riders, and the motion to debar any person who lias been employed m a training stable from riding as a gentleman rider, were withdrawn. A motion from Hawke's Bay to regulate the number of jumps m hurdle races was lost. It was decided that the number used for any horse on the totalisator shall correspond with the number on the race card. v . Tlie Conference decided not to amend the rules with regard to the paying out of dividends on the first and second horses.