GROWTH OF SWEEPSTAKES

Taranaki Daily News, 1 December 1932, Page 10

GROWTH OF SWEEPSTAKES

JOCKEY CLUB’S OBJECTION. / INFLUENCE ON RACING. (From Our Own Correspondent) London, September In an inquiry into the running of sweepstakes. Lord Harewood, on behalf of the stewards of the Jockey Club (writes our racing' specialist), offered uncompromising opposition to them. • “We do not object to them as Sweepstakes, but entirely owing to the-influ-ence and effect they, may have on racing,” he said. They were dangerous because. of .their magnitude;. .they might lead to bribery and corruption. A lucky drawer, with the chance of a prize of £30,000 or more if his horse won, was hr a position to profit by his prospect," and, if. he mis-used the opportunity, he could try and tempt" a stable , boy, trainer, or owner, to be a party to something which, was against the interests of thesport. Lord Harewodd added that they; had approached the Irish authorities, with a view to persuading them to make the draw on the day before the race, in~ order that the . sale of tickets, might be stopped, but unfortunately the Dublin people could not see .their way to. do this. , , . - • . - -

On a substantial though minor scale as compared, with the Irish and Calcutta’ sweepstakes, newspapers are now Jte-'; ginning to offer prizes for correct fore-' casts of big races. At the present time over £20,000 is to be won in connection with' the Cesare witch and’ Cambridge-’ shire Handicaps.. Competitors have"to pick, the first. four, in each, race, and, though the ; odds r mathematically caicul-; ated, against this being done are mil - *1 lions to one, there is not a shadow of doubt that someone will be lucky enough to capture the prizes. These side-lines to racing, of course,' make for great interest. In fact, , the. entries for tee Cesarewitch and Cambridgeshire .are now being studied aS / never before. Hut it would be folly, at any rate so 'far as. tee ■ competitions are . concerned, to make a selection until at least .tee . acceptances. 1 The position, of the experienced racegoer, however,, is different. His endeavour just now is to secure information about a Ipng-priced entrant, and, if it is in any way eh? couraging, to back it with, a view to lay- ,’ ing the bet off at a shorter price nearer the day of the. race. Personally, !, have , taken 33 to 1 about a horse in the Cam? bridgeshire. *1 do not say it will win, .. but I am convinced that it will start vat. a substantially reduced price. If this proves, to be correct, I shall lay the bet. cfff, and I shall have the horse running for me without standing:, to lose anything. ’ . ’ . . ,