CLASSIC RACES.

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 456, 18 May 1932, Page 10

CLASSIC RACES.

Manawatu Racing Club Takes Precautions. PROVISO FOR VARIATIONS. In calling for entries of yearlings for its next season’s classics (the Palmerston North Stakes, Manawatu Stakes and Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes), also of sires for the 1934 Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes, the Manawatu Racing Club has added a proviso to the conditions stating that “ the club reserves the right to vary the stakes and conditions or to abandon the race for any reason deemed by the committee to be a sufficient cause for any such variation or abandonment.” In the case of the Sires’ Produce Stakes the proviso goes further and states that the club may vary the stakes and/or conditions or may abandon the race “ should less than fifteen entries of sires be received, or for any other reason deemed by the committee, etc.” These provisos are apparently the result of the attitude the club found at least some owners of nominated horses taking when its committee suggested by circular letter before the last autumn meeting that such owners should consent to the deletion of the two classics at the fixture. The classics were retained, and after the meeting the club must have been more than gratified that the way was not made clear lor it to drop tile races. The prize money now advertised (subject to the provisos above mentioned) amounts in the case of the Palmerston North Stakes, to be decided at the next summer meeting, to £250, which is only half what it was this season, and £l5O less than the £4OO first advertised for the race when nominations of older horses were taken last June. In the case of the Manawatu Stakes and the Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes, to be decided at the next autumn meeting, the prize money is the same as it was reduced to at the last autumn meeting, being £l5O less for the Manawatu Stakes and £2OO less for the Sires’ Produce Stakes than the sums originally advertised when first nominations were taken last June. The entry day for these races (including entry of sires for the 1934 Sires’ Produce Stakes) is June 10. LOSS NEARLY £4OOO. Canterbury Jockey Club’s Balance-sheet. In spite of a reduction of £11,515 in stakes, and reductions in other items of expenditure, 'he Canterbury Jockey Club closed its year on April 30 with a loss of £3962 8s Bd. The annual report states that, considering the financial stringency, the result of the year’s operations was fairly satisfactory, though it was achieved largely at the sacrifice of owners. Members would join with the committee in deploring the death of Mr C. G. Dalgety, who had served the club well as a committeeman and steward for many years. Death had claimed two other members in Messrs C. F. D’Auvergne and John Wood. The required number of nominations had been received for the offices of stewards and honorary treasurer, and no election was necessary. Fifteen nominations had been received for the thirteen places on the committee. The balance-sheet shows a debit of £3962 8s 8d in the profit and loss account. Subscriptions totalled £2057, nomination fees £5060, stands and gate takings £8489, sale of privileges £2495 and totalisator takings £27,702. On the expenditure side, stakes amounted to £21,485, salaries and wages £4661, attendance at meetings £2855, Government taxes £13,344, and rates, taxes and insurance £1312, leaving a balance due to the bank of £16,440. The assets total £103,925, and the liabilities include £79,382 in the capital account, £16,440 due to the bank and £BIOO to stand subscribers. The Canterbury District Committee has a balance of £364 9s 2d on deposit.