MASTERTON RACES.

Wairarapa Age, 21 August 1934, Page 5

MASTERTON RACES.

STAKES FOB OCTOBEB FIXTUBE! INCREASED. WIN-AND-PLACE ABANDONED. In an endeavour to popularise the fixture and attract good fields of top-class horses, the stewards of the Masterton Bacing dub deciuei last night to increase by £685 the stakes for the two-day meeting in October.' The stakes will now total £1750, £875 being allotted, each day. A programme providing for eight races each day was approved. The chief event on the opening day will be the Masterton Handicap (open) of 1J miles for which the stakes will 'be £lOO, £3O and £2O. The C. F. Vallance Memorial on the second day, carries a stake of £lOO, £3'o and £2O, while a Champion Hack, 1| miles, is also included in the programme, which has been revised and is now quite attractive. It was decided to do away with win-and-place betting and revert to the old system of paying out two dividends on a 75 per cent., and 2*s* per cent, basis. Members characterised the win-and-place system as suicidal to country clubs. In accordance with the recommendations from the annual meeting, it was resolved to .shift- the winning post about 54 yards down the track in front of the lawn stand. The judge’s box Will also be shifted from the members’ to the main, stand. At the meeting which will be held on October 12 and 13, the outside enclosure will be done away with and the public will Ibe admitted to the lawn at one price. Alterations will also he carried out at the totalisator in order to obviate con jestion, particularly to traffic after the last race. Mr. J. W. Card, of Featherston, was appointed to' the position of judge.