SPORTING GOSSIP.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12061, 17 July 1917, Page 6

SPORTING GOSSIP.

RACING AND TROTTING. I (By " ARGUS.") FIXTURES. August 15, 17—Metropolitan Trotting Olnb. August ?(j, 18—Canterbury Jockey Club. NOMINATIONS. July 18—Metropolitan Trotting Club. August 3—Canterbury Jockey .Club. HANDICAPS. July 20—Canterbury Jockey Club July 28 —M>tropolu*n Trotting Club. August B—Canterbury Jockey Club. acceptances. August 3—Canterbury Jockey Club. August B—Metropolitanß—Metropolitan Trotting Clnb. August 13—Canterbury Jockey Club. There was net much cxcitoment aboiltl the track work at- Riecarton this morning. Following on n light shower of rain, the weather conditions wore lint 1 , and the tracks were in yood order. 'Hie sand and tan -were open, the tan being in the greater favour, but. tho work was chiefly confined to short sprints.

Brambletye was one of the early workers, her task being live, furlongs on the sand, which she left behind in good style, Onlooker bringing her home over the last half-mile.

R.ed Book covered a. mile by himself, registering fair time, particularly as he is not seen at his best without company.

Disdainful was going better than "War-dancer at the end of a smart spin over live furlongs on the tan.

Killjoy dashed over half a mile alone in good stylo, while Fiery Oofs was much too good for Startorze over the same ground.

Jeannot had an advantage over Kami nobp throughout tlie whole of a sixfurlong gallop, and lie was going away at the end.

Zuland and Matty were allowed to run along over half a mile, •without being fully extended, while Don Francisco boat- "Waipara in a useful spin over .six furlongs.

King Star wa.s stretched out over fivo furlongs, but was tiring at. the end.

Samison was in front, of Furlong at the end of five furlongs, but neither was ridden out, while Kilrush and Henrietta finished together over half a mile.

Arthur George jumped five hurdles, giving a satisfactory display, though thfl pace was only moderate.

The- following Riccarton horses returned homo this morning, after fulfilling engagements at ,Trentham :—Art, Kilkee, Dionysiu.-;, Ejiripos, Charley. Marc Anthony, Kirkby, Don Paeifieo, Kinibolton, Tip-up, Sir Hamilton and Mawson.

_ The Wingatni trainpr, C. Oiesler. arrived from the north this morning, with Turohau. Minesweeper. Tho Brewer, Seddel Bahr and Man-elite.

The Dates Committee of the Trotting Conference has not yet finally settled its work in connection with the list of fixtures for the coming season, but most of the clubs will race on their accustomed days.

The Forbury Park Trotting Club, which suffers two days' reduction during the coming season, will probably hold one-day meetings in November and May and a two-days' fixture at the end of January or early in February.

T understand that the "Waikato Trotting Club proposes to race next season in March. T have on previous occasions pointed out that this club Mould be studying the interests of owners far better if it raced during June or July. There are no trotting meetings in the Auckland province, between Easter and the following October, a period of six months, and if the country club filled the vacancy it would assist owners during tho long spell when there is no racing.

It Ims been stated thai the-. Orpymoutli Trotting Club, which in the past has raced in October and January, will under the new order abandon the spring fixture altogether, and that the Inangahua. Club will race on Labour l)ay, which Avill give it the first trotting club meeting on the West Coast for the incoming season.

I hear that C. Tasker has enlisted and leaves for Trentham at the conclusion of the August meeting at Addington.

The Rules of Racing provide that the draw for places at the start of each race shall be done* at the time jockeys weigh out, '" from a closed box of tho pattern approved by the conference." According to a report presented to the delegates last week, all the clubs have, either obtained one of the boxes of the approved pattern, or have made arrangements with a neighbouring club for the use of a box-

Whakatina, who won the concluding event at tho Wellington Racing Club's meeting last week, is a three-year-old filly hv Provocation—Torowai, by "Waterfall- Parlour Maid, by MuteMaid of All Work. -Torowai did a good deal of racing, with moderate results, and her stud career has not been distinguished by much, success on the part of her progeny. It looks, however, as if she had .it last produced a. useful performer, as Whakatina showed plenty of speed in her race on Saturday.

Tnuira, winner of iho Track and Hunters' Stceplochnsp at Trcntham on Saturday, is ono of tho veteran brigade, being now in hi.s thirteenth year. He did a. little racing a* a five-year-old, and the following season wound up with three wins in .succession over hurdles. Two of these were secured at tho winter meeting of the Wellington Jiacing Club, and as a result he earned a. 141b penalty foil" tine Grand. National Hurdle Handicap, but ho failed badly in that event. He did a, little racing in the next two seasons, after which ho had a long spell, making his reappearance early thi.s season, after an absence of about five years. Under the circumstances his performance at Trent ham last week was particularly creditable.

A report concerning hurdles, presented to the Racing Conference last week, stated that all the clubs have agreed to adopt the uniform hurdle, as suggested by the conference, with the exception of two clubs, which stipulated that tho top rail should be nine inches by an inch and half, instead of nine inches by two inches. The committeo's report, which was adopted, recommended that thi.s variation of the top rail should bo permitted, and also that the hurdle of tho pattern submitted by Mr W. J. Gore should be allowed where clubs desired to use hurdles of that pattern.

The amount of money which racing clubs must distribute in stakes is provided for in the Rules of Racing, being a sum at least equal to the net amount derived by the club from the use of the totalisator during the previous year. Twelve months ago the Racing Conference made an addition to the rule making an exception " where the president, for reasons reported in writing to the conference, may have granted permission for a less sum to be given." A report was submitted to the delegates last week detailing the cases in which the rule had been availed of. Five clubs

obtained relief, as follows: —Kotorua Jockey Club —ln order to allow the club to carry out improvements to the track, provide a training track, plough and resow both "tracks, shift present ring fence and add two rooms to tho stewards' stand. An understanding was given by the club to carry out the improvements mentioned immediately after its annual race meeting, in February. 15)1.7. Takapuna Jockey Club--To allow the rlub to carry out extensive improvements to the course by the acquisition of additional land to lay off a well-shaped racecourse over one mile in circumference. Taumarunui Racing Club —Owing to the club having held its first race meeting at Hamilton last year under exceptionally good conditions. its new course not being made at the time, permission was granted for the same amount to bo given m stakes this year, as tho meeting was to be. held at Tauniarunui, for the first time on the club's own course. Pannevirke Kacing Club—Tho club finding it almost, impossible to make headway in view of the fact of having to purchase the land on which the course is situated, and erect new buildings thereon. "Waipawa County Racing Club—The club having been recently reinstated as a totalisator club, its course and buildings required considerable repairs and improvements, owing to disuse for three years. RACING DATES, NEXT SEASON'S PROGRAMME. Tli? Committee of tho Racing Conference had before it ]ast week all the appli(titions fcr dates for tho ne<t, racing season, and those were approved, with a few amendments. The Canterbury Jockey Club lias to take off one mors day. bringing its total to eight : the Dune-din Jockey Club has to take off hvo more days, making six for the. season ; and the Wellington Racing Club has to take off one more day, reducing its programme from peven da.vs to six. With thes* amendments still to be mnde, the list of racing dates is as follows: Canterbury Jockey Club, August 16, 18. Danr.evirke Hunt Club, August 28. Marton Jockey Club, September 5. Ashburton County Racing Club, September 13, 14. Otaki Maori Racing Club, September 24. Genildine Racing Club, September 27. Jvurow Jockey Club. October 4. Masterton Racing Club, October 11, 12. Dunedin Jockey Club, October 12, 13. Wellington Racing Club, October '2O, 22. North Canterbury and Oxford Jockey Olub,

October 22. Waverley-Totara Racing Club, October 22. Core Racing Club, October 22, 23. Poverty Buy Turf Club, October 25, 2G. Canterbury Jockey Club, November 3, 5, 7, 10. Avondale Jockey Club, November 3, 7. Winton Jockey Club. November 11, 15. Ashurst-Pohandna Racing Club, November 21. Takapunn Jockey Club, November 24. Feilding Jockev Club, December 1. Woodville District Jockey Club, December

5, 6Bay of Plenty Jockev Club, December 8. Wairarapfl Rucing Club, December 13. Waipa Racing Club, December 15. .South Canterbury Jockoy Club, December 17. Tura.naki Jockey Club, December 26. Thames Jockev Club, December '2O. Reef!on Jockey Club. December 26, 27. Dunedin Jcckev Club, December '26, 27. Manawatu Racing Club, .'December 26. 27. Auckland Racing Club, December 26, 29,

.1 urinary 1. " Cromwell Jorkey Club, December 27. Vyndhum Racing Club, January 1. Stratford Racing Club, January 1. Marton Jockey Club, January 1. Hawke's Bav Jockey Club, .1 anna.ry 1, 2. North Otago Jockey Club, January 1, 2. Greymoulh Jockev Club, January 1, 3, -1. Vincent Jockey Club, January 2. Southland Racing Club. January 2, 3. Northern Wairoa Racing- Club, January 5. Westliir.d Rccing Club, January 8 0. • Whnngarci Racing Club. January 10. Wairoa Countv Racing Club, January 10, 1/. Wairio Jockov Club, January If,. Wellington Racing Chib, January 22, 21, 2G. Fox ton Racine Club, January 22. Takapuna Jockey Club, January 26, 29. Canterbury Jockey Club, I'cbruary 2. Tnumarunui Racing CluK I'pbruary 2. Oisborne Racing Club, bobrucry Marlborough Racing Club. February 6. Taranaki Jockev Club, l'ebruary 13, 7. Poverty Bay Turf Club, February 9. Te Kuiti Rncir.fr Club, February 0. lv r niont Racing Club, February 13, 14. Punoflin Jockov Club. February 13. 14, 16. 11 <i mil ton Racing Club, February 10. Jockev Club. February 21, 23. Rotcrua Jockey Club. February 27 Danevirke Racing Club, 1-ebruary 28, March To Aroha Jockev Club. March 2. _ Akaroa. County Racing Club, March a. Core Racing Club. March 0. Nelson. Jockey Club, March G, P. Napier Park Racing 1 Club. March 8, 0. Waimnte Racing Club, March 14. Wairarapa Racing Club. March 14, 15. Westport Jock-ev Club. March 16. Oliineimiri Jockey Club. Mavcli 16. Opunakc Racing Club, March 1 Southland Racing Club, March 20, -1. Rangitikoi Racing Club March 22, 23. . Auckland Racing Club, M.ar-h 30, April 1. Beaumont Jockey Club. April 1. Waipukurcu Jockey Club, April 1. Canterburv Jocko" Club, April 1> 2. Feilclinp Jockey Club, April 1, 2. Riv.*rton Racing Club, Apri 1, -. Avondale Jockey Club April G l'ahiatna Racing < » AP^; 1 I'f>. Mannwa-tu Ra-nig Club, Apnl 1/, IP. South Canterburv Jockey Club, Apnl -4, -o. Haw lie's Bay Jockey Club, May 3, 4. Ash burton County Racing Club, May 9. Marlborough Racing Cmb, Ma* 16 - North Otapo Jockey Club, May Wanganui Jockey C.ub. May -3, **>■ Dunotlin Jockey Club June 1, A. Auckland .Racing Club June 1, 3, o. Otaki Maori Racing Club, Juno 3 4. Gisborni Racing 1 Club, June l3 > 10 - Ihuvko's Buy Hunt Club June 19 Nai'ior Park Racing Club Juno J, ~» Hawkc's Bav Jockev Club .Tune>29. raging grmferenge. STIPENDIARY STEWARDS COMMITTEE. A,t tho witting o£ the Racing Co , last week, tho Stipendiary Stewards Coni mittco submitted tho following report on racing, generally {or tho 1916-17 racing ,ecar S °T'he _ control and management of race meetings by clubs shown improvement general 5, and is on the up grade. Officials appare:n_ly seem desirous of more strictly abiding by tho rnlea of racing, and are eager to taW ad vantage of suggestions towards improvement in management. . . ■Effectives cleansing of racecourses is Mill retarded bv non-employment of efficient racecourse detectives. In many cases the pay offered is quit© inadequate and thus fierruontly local and inferior persons are ormp'oved! who, however willing they uifv be to carry out the duties imposed, hive aT-so-lutely no knowledge of tho individuals with whom they should deal. We regret to state definitely that owing l to the want of an efficient detective eysrom, bookmaking, both on and off courses, lias increased very considerably during the past Beason. It is alleged, upon apparenth- velinblo authority, that pome of tho leading bookmakers in the larger centres openly employ fairly large staffs to deal with tie immense amount of business actually thrust ujk>ii tlicßJ* However laj-ge th» Amount

seems of totalisator investments in the "Dominion, it would surprise the conference, and should surprise the authorities sh'ii d tho total turnover of the New Zealand bockmakers be made public. The revenue lost to tho country, injury done to owners from loss of nvne.v that should be devoted to prize money, and consxypie.it loss to racing clubs, warrants tho strongest action both by the conference and Government to put an end to the evil of bookmaking. Our remarks under the heading of racecourse Appointments in 1915-16 report, nving to the continuance of the war, hoid good fol the season now drawing to a close. Generally speaking', racing for the past season has maintained a good standard. Class has been fairly well represented, yields have, increased in size. Interference m running . from carelessness or otherwise lias markedly diminished. It has been rercssary on occasions to question the handlingl of various horses, but rarely has it been found requisite to go further, except in srme few instances when due punishment lias followed. Home suspensions and fines for infringement of rules of racing enforced, but they were fewer in number Ihnn in yievi. ous years.

Our remarks in 1015-1 fi report as to judicial committors hold frond in many instances, and n. disregard of the trust and responsibilities imposed by Rule 2, part iv., is still evident. Despite the war, the volume of totalisator investment, especially in the North Island, has been exceptionally well maintained, and no valid complaints as to management of this important part of racing control have been made to us.

We would again most strongly urge tha advisability or all licenses beinjr ;«-i.ed by th<\ conference. It is again very rppnrcnt that many _ holding trainers' or jockeys' licenses obtain same only for the purpose of free admission to our racecourses, and being 1 armed with a license! they easily obtain ertry at most mestings to the, jockeys' room <and birdcage.

The usual long list of jockeys appears in the racing calendar, very many of whom., owin- to lack of patronage or skill, are quite unknown to us. During the nasfc season many prominent horsemen Lave bee a called np for service. Wo are, however, pleased to state that owing: to the amended rule regarding apprentices' allowance, several promising young riders are coming foiwcrd. We -regret to state that it has been fonnft necessary to deal somewhat severely .vjth.' some jockeys during the past year for malpractices of ji serious nature, chiefly c'ne to betting propensities with or by punters of undesirable character.

It is very evident tViat a great many of our jockeys have adopted advice tendered them, by us, and in consequence have im-. proved both in their riding and general behaviour, and we have reason to believe that a great number of them now recognise fhst the stipendiary stewards are out to h>'p and assist Ihem in every way provided they ara of good character and strictly comply with the rules of racing. Very many persons licensed as trainers apparently lack charges, and many are quit* unknown to us. The majority of licensed train'ors" known to us do credit to their calling. . ■ : The official list of. registered racing, colours is getting more confusing and unwieldy every season. Wa think that this would "lie lieved considerably if measures were taken to tho list of all unused colours during the last two years. AUSTRALIAN RACING. By Telegraph—Pre=s Association—Copyrig&i. MELBOURNE, July 16. Tn the weights for the Australian Hurdle Handicap, Jack Rice is top with list 11 lb. Cold Wave ha 9 lOst lib, Tenacious 9st 12!b, jlerrimar-. 9st>61b. Tn the Steeplechase tho top weights are Cnibve and Jack Rice, 12sfc 311). AViiimai has list lllb, Tim Doolan lOst 131b.