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New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume IV, Issue 204, 21 June 1894, Page 5

The Auckland Racing Club are to be complimented upon their action in instituting the new race for two and three-year-olds which will in future occupy a space on the programme as the Royal Stakes. The distance of the race will be six furlongs, its value will be 500 sovs, and it will be to Auckland what the Challenge Stakes is to Christchurch, but with this difference—that whereas the Christchurch people take all, the Auck-

landers will give all, as a prominent provision of the race is as follows: — “ Should there be any surplus arising from the subscriptions it will be given to the race.” The club guarantees that 500 sovs will be given, and if the subscriptions do not amount to that figure they will provide the shortage. If on the other side the subscriptions make the race of the value of or the race will be given the full amount. The further provisions of the race are : —Of 500S0VS, the owner of the second horse to receive 20 per cent., and the owner of the third horse 10 per cent, out of the stake. For two and three-year-olds; weight for age. Winners after August 1, 1895, of any race or races collectively of the value of 25OSOVS 31b, of 500S0VS 51b, of 750S0VS 71b, of looosovs lolb. Maiden three-years-olds at time of starting, allowed lolb; two-year-olds ylb. Six furlongs. By subscription of 10 sovs, each., payable to the Secretary of the A.R.O. on general entry day, Summer Meeting, 1895, unless forfeits are declared and paid as follows: — “Yearlings (foals of 1892) may be struck out upon payment of 2 sovs by the second Friday in January, 1895 ; or upon payment of 4 sovs by the first Friday in September, 1895 ; or upon payment of 6 sovs by first Friday in December, 1895. Foals of 1893 may oe struck out upon payment of 2 sovs by the second Friday in January, 1895 ; or upon payment of 4 sovs by the first Friday in September, 1895; or upon payment of 6 sovs by the first Friday in December, 1895.” And then follows this absurd, we were tempted to say idiotic, clause: “ Should there not be 25 horses left in on first Friday in September, 1895, the committee reserve the right to reduce the stakes.” The committee must think the prospects of the race are encouraging when they find it wise to insert such a provision. If they thought it possible that there might not be 25 horses left in on the date of the second payment they should not have instituted the race. Had the clause in question been dated to take effect on the first Friday in December, 1895, we could have understood the matter. But there should not be any reason to consider the clause if, as the secretary of the club states, there are 100 Auckland nominations as good as received. A very important inducement will be held out by the race to visiting owners. Being for two-year and throe-year-olds, owners of the former racers will have, in addition to the Royal 500 sovs, the Foal Staks 300 sovs to look to, and for three year-olds there will be the further inducement of the Derby 500 sovs.