RACING SUFFERS.

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 192, 14 August 1931, Page 12

RACING SUFFERS.

Owners Dropping Out ■ of the Game. (Special to the "Star.”) LONDON, July 2. The Turf has lost an important patron through the death of Mr Solly Joel, and it is unfortunate that the family have decided not to carry on his racing activities. His stud farm at Maiden Erleigh is to be sold and it is feared it will pass into the hands of the builders. The only hope is that it may be bought by some millionaire and preserved as a racing establishment. Meanwhile the whole of Mr Joel’s horses are to go into the sale ring. These include his War Derby winner, Pommern, who was Mr Joel’s favourite thoroughbred and who has been notably successful at the stud. Mr J. B. Joel has also cut down his racing, though he breeds as extensively as ever. He and his brother gained every prize on the Turf and it is unfortunate that Mr Jack Joel seems to have lost some of his old interest in the sport. In these days he attends only the chief meetings. Another racing establishment is to be broken up. This is the one owned by Mr and Mrs Sofer Whitburn, whose horses were trained by H. L. Cottrill. Mr Whitburn was elected to the Jockey Club in 1924, and it is to be hoped he will later resume his activities. Perhaps the chief of their horses in training, which are to be sold, is Heloise, a filly by Captain Cuttle. I am afraid the tendency in these difficult times for all owners is to retrench. Lord Derby, for instance, has now very few horses in training. But racing continues in a thoroughly healthy state. This is reflected by the

i in®®®®® is® am®®® a®®®®®® manner in which all the meetings are supported. Possibly this may be due to the keenness of owners to seize every chance. For instance there are thirty-four horses entered for the Stewards’ Cup at Goodwood and not half of them are worthy to run in a race of this importance. It is said that this sprint has all the time been the main objective of the French colt Xandover. But, slight as the opposition promises to be, I think his weight will have to be reduced before he can be thought to haye an outstanding chance at Goodwood. The Cup race seems to present a golden opportunity to any runner with a little class and one which, I think, possesses this is Diolite. His form this season has not been very impressive, but the race is not likely to be difficult to win, and I fancy Diolite more than any of the other entrants. By the way, Cockpen, Lord Woolavington’s two-year-old, who may be the best of his age, is to run again at Goodwood. I do not think Cameronian will be seen at this meeting, but it is likely that he will be given another easy race before the St Leger. Needless to say, the Derby winner is favourite for the Doncaster classic, but the challenge from both Orpen and Sandwich will be strong. The latter, who is now at a good price, finished very strongly at Epsom and, though the odds for a place—under two to one—are not very attractive, I think Lord Rosebery’s colt is sure to be in the first three. ,In fact, I regard him as the chief danger to Cameronian, unless Jacopo should make a complete recovery. Soft going, too, would make a vast difference to the prospects of Goyescas. It should be remembered that this French-bred col't was fourth in the Derby and the conditions did not suit him.

As a result of further inquiries into the Gagoola case, the stipendiary stewards have examined the betting books of bookmakers who operated on the Rothsay Trial Stakes at Flemington,.with the object of endeavouring to ascertain who were the principal supporters of Gagoola. A close examination by the stewards, however, did not afford any material results, and Mr A. V. Kewney, the secretary of the Victoria Racing Club, said that there was nothing to report. Mr Kewney added that the stewards had not examined all the books, and until that was done it was impossible to state whether any action would be taken. The investigation of the books showed that the bookmakers would not have lost nearly as much as had been stated earlier if Gagoola had won. The total amount that would hu-ve been taken out of the ring would have been between £lO 000 and £12,000.