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New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume III, Issue 129, 12 January 1893, Page 4

As rulers of various Metropolitan bodies know only too well nowadays the proverbial “coach and four” is only too often driven through the enactments framed, with the best of intentions, by them. Perhaps it may be urged —and with some show of justice—that the rules on certain points are woefully ambiguous, but still there is a good deal too much of the “win, tie, and wrangle” business with some of the owners nowaday. Looking at the work and labour that has been expended in the preparation of the variour codes of Turf law now governing the Australasian Colonies, it is curious to glance back 82 years ago and see what laws were in force in Sydney in the year 1810. A copy of the “ Rules and orders of the Sydney Race Club established under the patronage of His Excellency Governor Macquarie in the year 1810,” was recently presented to the Australian Jockey Club by Mr H. C. Dangar and to tne reporter of the Sydney Referee, who has had a look through them, we are indebted for some interesting particulars of the regulations contained therein. From what he says we gather that members admitted to the Sydney Race Club in 1810 had to pay an entrance fee of 6gs, exclusive of the annual subscription of 3gs. It was further enacted —and wisely too perhaps—that “ any member neglecting to pay his annual subscription on or before the first day of the races in each succeeding year shall be obliged to pay double.” This would suit some oLour present day racing clubs “all to pieces ” The subscribers to the Sydney race fund of 1810 met annually at dinner on January sth, and it was decreed that “any member is at liberty to introduce a friend, being a non-resident of the colony, by giving previous notice of such iritention to the stewards.” At this same dinner it would seem that business as well as pleasure was transacted, for Rule 5 says: “ Three members shall be appointed stewards, to commence their office annually on June 6th ; and one new steward to be appointed every year on June sth by the steward who quits, subject to the approbation of the majority of the members of the Club present at dinner on that day.” But we will leave the Sydney Referee's writer to tell his own story and make his own comments about the rest of these old time rules: — The stewards in those days had several important powers conferred upon them. They made any regulations they thought proper in regard to the exercise ground and course, appointed a clerk of the course, and all persons connected with the holding of a race meeting. The stewards were responsible for all moneys collected, and they settled all disputes in racing, their decision being final. With regard to horses running, we find from Rule 12 that “no horse or mare imported into this colony shall be allowed to run more than once for plate, sweepstakes or subscription; and that they must be entered six weeks previous to the race, paying £2 2s. entrance, or double if belonging to a non-subscriber.” No gelding was allowed to run that had not been bred in the colony. The date of age was as it is now— August 1. The rules for the conduct of racing did not materially differ from those of the A.J.C. When no particular weight was specified in a match or sweepstakes the horse earned 9.0 each, and if any weight was given the highest weight was fixed at 9 o. Care was taken to have the age and pedigree of the horses correctly entered. Rule 22 says :—“ The horse that has ms head first at the ending post wins the heatand Rule 27 reads : “ For the best of the heats the horse is second that beats the others twice out of three times, though he doth not win a heat.” Precautions were taken against foul riding, and Rule 32 says: “As many of the riders as shall cross, jostle or strike, or raise any other foul play, as shall be judged by the stewards present, such rider shall be made incapable of ever riding any horse or gelding in any plate, &c,” There are no half terms about this, and a rider caught in such acts would no doubt have had short shift at the hands of the stewards. Rule 35 is one I shall lay special stress upon. It reads as follows :—“ The riding jockeys shall be paid in the following manner: The jockey riding the winning horse, £5 5 s > and all others 3 s each. Any gentleman who shall pay a greater or less sum than above subscribed to be expelled the club." The italics are mine, and I especially wish to draw the notice of our present day racing men to them. Extravagant presents (?) to jockeys have dohe much to bring the turf into disrepute and to encourage stiff running. Jockeys have been paid to lose races as well as win them. The stewards of the Sydney Race Club in 1810 evidently knew what they were about. To prevent the bribing, of jockeys they no doubt framed that rule, and the briber—for such lavish presents are merely bribes —when discovered was to be expplled the club. Rule 37 provides : That the following weights be carried by mares and geldings running for any cup, plate, or purse :—Entire horses, 31b extra; two years, 6.2 ; three, 7.4; four, 8.0; five, 8.12; six, 9.10; aged, 10.0. The stewards for the year 1813 were—John Thomas Campbell, Captain Henry Glenholme, 73rd Regiment, and Captain Anthony Coane, 73rd Regiment; treasurer, Lieut. Eagar. The list of members is as follows : » —His Excellency Governor Macquarrie, His Hon. Lieut.-Governor O’Connell, Captains Murray, Ritchie, Glenholme, Cameron, Coane, Pike, Kenny and Walker, Lieutenants Wright, Shot-

lowe, Eagar; Raymond and Lawson; Majors Geils and Gordon; Messrs. Maclaine, Birch, Bent, E. Blaxland, Blaxcell, Bayly, J. T. Campbell, Cox, Robert Campbell, Gordon, Lord, , Moore, Palmer, Redfern. Riley, Throsby, Wentworth, Mackintosh, W. Wentworth, Fitzgerald, Gore, J. Blaxland, Archer, Oxley, H. M‘Arthur, Wiltshire, Loane, Collins, Allan, Hobson, Brodie, andJDr. Carter. These were the gentlemen who constituted the members of the Sydney Race Club in 1813, and I have no doubt some of the “ oldest inhabitants” will remember many of the names.’ The name of Wentworth, lam glad to say, is once more known on the Turf, and long may it continue to be so. We should like to see some one possessed of an old-time acquaintance with New Zealand racing lore rake up from the library of some true sportsman a copy of the first set of rules ever adopted by a . racing club in New Zealand. It would be curious and at the same time interesting reading, we warrant, and we are bold enough to think that some of our turf ■legislators of this present racing season •of 1892-93 would not be above taking a leaf, of several leaves, out of the book of rules laid down by the earliest Turf convocation ever held in New Zealand. And, indeed, they might do so with advantage to .themselves, for goodness knows some of their own rules are ambiguous enough in all conscience.