TARANAKI JOC KEY CLUB

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 257, 31 October 1939, Page 4

TARANAKI JOC KEY CLUB

CHRISTMAS PROGRAMME ALTERATIONS IN CONDITIONS < De-pitc the critical period through hich racing is passing in the Dominion owing to war circumstances tii? Taranaki Jockey Club has decided to keep the stakes for the Christmas -Ture up to last year’s standard. A «>jm of £2680 was allotted for the two days and except for two adjustments in race conditions the programme remains unchanged from last year The Fitzroy Hack Handicap, decided on the second day, is now for appren.ice jock ys only. Of recent years there has been little encouragement offered to young riders, but this season and in future will see a d n, '’ded change for their benefit. This jear the Electric Juvenile Handicap, also on the second day. will he confined to two-ycar-olds only. The first days event, however, the Boiough Juvenile Handicap will be open to both three and two-year-olds, as has been the case in previous ' cars. The policy of the Taranaki and Stratford dubs in making the iu'cnile events at their respective holi- • meetings open to three-year-olds

as well as two-year-olds has been openly criticised by owners and tram-i er.s who claim that the youngsters are placed at too great a disadvantage. For definite proof of their inference only one two-year-old has succeeded in the 16 juvenile events decided over the circuit during the past four years. On the other hand, the sole objection the | abovementioned clubs have had in the ! past to making the races for two-year-olds only is that insufficient patronage * would result. Their belief is quite , sound, too, for there has not yet been * material enough at these meetings to provide axerage sized field* in four i two-year-old races within a week. It ; will be interesting to note the response j accorded the New Plymouth Club in * their venture.

The Taranaki Club has continued its policy of catering for the best available staying hacks in commission. Besides good stakes in the lesser events the prizes allocated in the distance races compare more than favourably with any other provincial meeting in Nexx r Zealand. The Aliaxva Hack Handicap has been endowed with £2OO, while the Taranaki Hack Cup, run on the second day. carries a fine stake of £250, including a trophy valued at £25. Nu race on the programme is worth less than £125 and every class of horse in training has been adequately catered for. The principal open events, the Christmas Handicap and New Plymouth Handicap have been allocated £275 and £225 respectively, while the open sprint each day carries a stake of £175.

The Taranaki Jockey Club’s Christmas meeting will be decided on suc-cessix-e days. Tuesday < Boxing Day ’ ana Wednesday. December 26 and 27. The closing date ot nominations has been fixed for Monday, December 4, and the weights xxill appear on Deember 13.