AUSTRALIAN RACING

Taranaki Daily News, 22 November 1929, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN RACING

I MAORI LANDER’S IMPRESSIONS TOTE AND BOOKMAKERS COMBINE. IMPRESSIONS OF MR. FLANNAGAN. Of interest to the majority of sporting people in Taranaki aro the reininiscenes of Mr. P. J. Flannagan, of New Plymouth, who returned this week from an extended tour of New South Wales and Victoria. While in Australia, Mr. Flannagan attended the A.J.C. and V.R.C. carnivals and was present at other important gatherings in the two states. In Sydney Mr. Flannagan saw Nightmarch win the Epsom and finish second in the Metropolitan. He also saw Phar Lav win the Derby, and saw, in fact, all the Australian Jockey Club meetings. In Melbourne Mr. Flannagan saw the Melbourne Cup race, and, in

his opinion, Phar Lap would have won had he been ridden differently. The railway services through Australia were very good, and Mr. Flannagan was able to attend many more race meetings than would otherwise have been the case. TATTERSALL’S CLUB. While in Australia Mr. Flannagan was made a member of Tattersall’s and the Victoria Racing Clubs. Tattersall’s Club was a wonderful place, and had cost over £250,000 to build. The club was primarily for bookmakers, but it was mostly patronised by commercial and professional men. The membership of the club was enormous. When a man became a member he was permitted to do what was. known as “credit betting.” No accounts were rendered, and a man’s word was his bond. It was a common sight to see between - £200,000 and £300,000 change hands in the space of about three hours. The club was a' palatial building and was equipped with a gymnasium and swimming baths. The swimming baths were glassed in, and it was a common sight to see members of the club sitting round the baths in trunks having their'lunch and, at the same time, a sun bath. Many men had accommodation there, but naturally one had to pay handsomely for these things. The cuisine and accommodation were in keeping with everything else. The Victorian Racing Club had also a very fine home, but could not be compared with Tattersall’s Club. Air. Flannagan met several o.f Australia’s most important racing men, including Mr. “Sol” Green, the millionaire owner who sent Strephon to England to measure strides with the world’s bent. Mr. Green recently refused an offer of £20,000 for his" horse. Mr. Flannagan also visited Mr. Green’s home at Bacchus Marsh.

Among the other prominent racing men met by Mr. Flannagan were Messrs. Frank McGrath (the noted trainer), Rothwell (editor of The Sporting Circle), “Bert” Pamphillion, “Freddie” Hill, “Mick” Healy, “Andy” McGuire, “Bob” Solomon, and H. Grainger, of thA Victoria Racing Club and well-known throughout New Zealand. Mr. Flannagan met Mr. R. Miller, owner of Windbag. These men, said Mr. 'Flannagan, gave him a wonderful time and allowed him the heart of racing in the Commonwealth. In Australia, said Mr. Flannagan, they had a system of co-operation between the totalizator and bookmakers. Thin was very successful, and the system might well be introduced in New Zealand.