“CUT-RATE” IN RACING

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 77, Issue 34, 9 February 1934, Page 7

“CUT-RATE” IN RACING

BIDDING FOR PATRONAGE WHAT SOME CLUBS FACE By “Kestrel” The rather meagre patronage bestowed on the Wanganui .Jockey Club for the autumn meeting, as indicated in the list of nominations for next week’s fixture, is not altogether the result of any conservative policy pursued by the Club as a result of financial commitments in past years. Other' causes have been at work, and the efforts have become more and more obvious during the last two seasons. Some chibs there are which make more appeal to owners and trainers than does the Wanganui Jockey Club, perhaps by reason of their ability to offer better stakes because of a lower “overhead.” But it is the clubs which descend to ‘‘price-cutting’' tactics which are causing the most trouble, and “Moturoa,” in the Taranaki Herald, strikes the nail on the head when he takes the offenders to task in the following terms: — In way-back country districts when transport was costly and. difficult it was the practice (some years ago) to subsidise owners and trainers who patronised many race meetings, but with reasonable rail and “float” charges, and improved highways, the need has now vanished. But it has not died out. Not by any means! Recently when the secretary and stewards of a racing club on this coast visited outside race meetings to solicit entries for their home meeting they were met with the query: What have you got to offer us? Their astonishment was intensified furthermore when they learned that a racing club in their district had offered outside owners and trainers, and had accepted nominations on the understanding that if the weights did not suit and acceptance was not made, there would be no liability for any fees! When those facts became known generally, there was much righteous indignation amongst the heads of neighbouring clubs, and some have threatened to bring the matter before the Conference. What change have the general run of racing clubs of getting satisfactory entries for their mootings when such underhand tactics are employed in their midst? And what is sport coming to? If the thin end of the wedge, already inserted, is not promptly dealt with, then certain owners and trainers may throw down, the, gauntlet to the minor clubs, and make their own terms. The majority of racing clubs arc finding it hard enough to make ends meet as it is, without having to face, pernicious under-cutting, and while clubs may make their own rules, and grant assistance in extreme cases, the practice should not assume wholesale proportions. It is not fair to other chibs, nor is it just to the painstaking handicapper whose duty it is to frame weights for the offending club.