A KNOTTY POINT SOLVED

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 155, 21 September 1927, Page 10

A KNOTTY POINT SOLVED

A.J.C. DOESN’T CARE WHAT ENGLAND’S RULES SPECIFY VOT only Dominion racing legisiators, but also owners and trainers will be interested in the following decision announced by the committee of the Australian Jockey Club. The point arose through the franc descending to the lowest ebb. Rionscup, in the opinion of the A.J.C. committee, is eligible to run in the Trial Stakes at Randwick on Epsom day. At a recent meeting the following decision was made: •‘That there being no rule in the Australian Jockey Club Rules of Racing similar to English Rule 117, which fixes the value of foreign money for the purposes of arriving at the value of a race won in a foreign country, the committee is of opinion that in calculating in Australia the value of such a race the current rate of exchange on the day of the race won must be the basis of calculation.” That decision means that if Rionscup can get to the post for the Trial Stakes he will be allowed to run, although the English Jockey Club rule would declare him ineligible. THE FINANCIAL SIDE Rionscup won a race in France when the franc was almost at its lowest ebb. At the rate of exchange at that time the prize-money was less than £2OO, and the Trial Stakes is for horses who have not won a price valued at £2OO. Rule 117 of the English rules states that for the purpose of calculating the value of races run in France, francs will be valued at 25 to the pound sterling. It is argued that the motive behind the rule is for the protection of English racehorses. Stakes in France have not been increased in proportion to the depreciation of the franc. Supporters of the English rule argue that champion French horses are now often forced to race in France for prizes which, to the average English owner, are chickenfeed. TIMES ARE DIFFERENT In pre-war days, when the franc was worth 25 to the pound sterling, those prizes were big enough to keep French horses in France, although many of the champions crossed the Channel and took some of England’s richest prizes. But in those days the relative value of stakes in France and England was on a par. At present it is possible for a horse to win, say, a weight-for-age race in France, and owing to the lessened value of the French currency to win only a hundred pounds or so. If the English Jockey Club didn’t have the proviso in its rules, there would be an absurd position created. A French champion might easily be eligible for novice races in England. Naturally, British owners would have something to say on that question. It is also within the bounds of possithat the A.J.C.’s ruling will encourage buyers to secure French horses for New South Wales. AWFUL POSSIBILITY! It is also within the bounds of possibility that if Rionscup starts and wins the Trial Stakes there will be an angry owner of the horse which runs second to him. The Australian Rules of Racing certainly provide that if any question arise which is not or is alleged not to be provided for in the rules, it shall be determined by the committee. But what might be a knotty point for K.C.’s to wrangle over it the fact that the committee made its decision after nominations were taken for the race in question. Rule 50 of the Australian Rules of racing states: “In naming or entering for any race where there shall be any particular conditions required as a qualification to start, it shall be sufficient if the horse was qualified at the expiration of the time allowed for naming or entering; and it shall not be disqualified by anything which may happen after the expiration of that time, unless so specified in the conditions, or unless it becomes disqualified for all races under the Rules of Racing.” an interesting point Whether the A.J.C. has the power to qualify a horse —which their recent action does—after nominations have been taken, might make an interestinHow«Tver, the A.J.C. has a rale which states: “No entry will be received for any race except upon the condition that all disputes, claims and objections arising out of such entry or race shall be decided in accordance with the Provisions of the Australian Rules of Racing and the Rules of the Principal club, and that such decision shall be final and not liable to be questioned m (Recourse, Rionscup has to get to the nost and to win, and then the A.J.C. committee is well studded with legal talent.