RACING

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 92, 9 July 1927, Page 7

RACING

(Continued) THE NEW SPORT GREYHOUND RACING INTERESTING SIDELIGHTS WILL IT THRIVE WITHOUT THE BOOKMAKER? Would dog racing survive if introduced in this country, and with no bookmakers to call the odds? It is doubtful. But it may not be very long before Auckland people are given the opportunity of witnessing this new racing craze that has captured the imagination of England and Australia. On the other hand, properly, constituted and conducted, there would be nothing to prevent the controlling authority applying for totalisator permits! Commenting on the introduction of this report to London, a Home writer has the following: With the opening shortly of the greyhound racing tracks in London at Harringay Park and the White City, a number of points which have been raised as the result of experiences at Manchester may be examined. The question of judging has been much discussed as the result of several close finishes which have occurred. The method of judging at present in vogue is for two judges to stand at either end of the finishing line and compare their placings after the race. NOTHING WON If the two disagree as to which dog has won, it is not known what happens. There is no referee who can give a deciding vote. Several suggestions have been put forward to improve the present method. It has been recommended that the official time-keeper (who, by the way,

is Mr. E. Owen, the ex-Bnglisli mile champion) should give a casting vote in case of disagreement between the judges. The time-keeper knows to which dog he “clocked,” so that he is in a perfect position to give a casting vote where necessary.

Another suggestion is that the judges being above the dogs, this gives scope for the possibility of one of the judges losing sight of a dog coming along under the rails. To obviate this it has been put forward that the judges should be in a pit, after the mode in vogue at the whippet racing at Manor Park, London, so that their heads are on a level with the dogs as they come past, thus definitely ensuring that no dog can be missed. DISTANCES OF RACES Up to date, all the races at Manchester have been over the same distance of 500 yards, this applying to both flat and hurdle events, although last year there were also events over 440 yards. The quarter-mile events have been dropped because the race was over too quickly, but the restriction to the present length tends for monotony. This was pointed out to Mr. L. O. Browne, the racing manager at Manchester, who said that the restriction to the one distance was mainly due to the amount of sickness (diarrhoea) in the kennels owing to the changeable weather experienced since the start of the season. Now that sickness is decreasing, however, it is contemplated running races over longer distances. Mr. Browne stated that they would probably run one or two 600 yards events next week, commencing May 23. Later, even longer events may be put on, and. as coursing enthusiasts will realise, this will not entail any overdue exertion on the dogs, who in many cases cover 1,000 yards in courses. SICK DOGS A further suggestion is in connection with the substitution of dogs on the day of racing for those which have fallen sick. The Manchester management, who, as has already been pointed out, have been unfortunate in the matter of illness, have had it put to them that a way out of this difficulty would be to include in each race on the programme published on the morning of racing the names of, say, a couple of dogs as reserves, these to take the places of any dogs unable to compete. These points, with the possible ways out proposed, may be worth the consideration of the managements of the two London grounds now on the point of opening. ENTHUSIASM IN SYDNEY The sport has a great hold in Sydney, as the following report of a meeting there reveals: In all spheres of sport there is usually an outstanding performer whose accomplishments stamp him as the “champion.” By winning thrice from the best company at the “tin hare” races. All Home must be recognised as the “Windbag” of the dogs. On Saturday night he was sent out favourite at 2-1, and more than justified his public support by winning in the good time of 28 seconds, with four lengths to spare. The attendance, 15,000, was easily a record. In the first race Brilliant Trooper was made a firm favourite at 2’s, but could run only fifth. The winner. Brass Hat, which started at s’s, had hitherto earned a name as being unreliable, and it was mainly his slowness in leaving the slips that caused him to start at the price he did. DOWNFALL OF FAVOURITE Jewel Stand. 7-4, was a slightly better favourite than Golden Spoke, who was heavily backed. Jewel Stand failed to run a place, but Golden Spoke, after being well back early, made a run at the straight entrance

and landed the money by two lengths from Bellamaud and Lady Julia. The third course was for maiden performers at Epping, but punters made no error when they went for Dominion, who started at even money and won by 15 lengths from Sodi and Noyhu Lass.

The main event, the fourth course, was another all-the-wav victory for the 2-1 favourite, All Home, who soon had the field stretched out, with several hopelessly out of it. ALL HOME FIRST

All Home eventually won by four lengths from Reprieve, who finished three lengths ahead of Ale Rejected. The time. 28 seconds, was the fastest of the night, and was only equalled by Grecian Bend, the well-backed winner of the sixth race. At 10-1 pop. [Murray Jack won the fifth heat from Red Boy and Baffle. Ladylike, the favourite, led early, but was beaten out of a place at the finish.

Another outsider. Lord Andrew, won the seventh course by four lengths. Kitty McCulloch, 5-4, was the best backed dog in the race, but when she was headed at the turn she caved in. WON B YA STREET The hottest favourite at the meeting was Peter, winner of the eighth course. He started at 2-1 on and won by 25 lngths from Revelle and Silver Lady. Punters were astray in the last race, Dear Alf, 7-1, won from Our First and the favourite, Balloon. From all accounts the racing must have been a great success.