Sporting Review AND LICENSED VICTUALLERS’ GAZETTE. WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE WEEKLY STANDARD. Thursday, December 19, 1895. THE AUCKLAND RACING CLUB CLASSICS.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume VI, Issue 282, 19 December 1895, Page 6

Sporting Review AND LICENSED VICTUALLERS’ GAZETTE. WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE WEEKLY STANDARD. Thursday, December 19, 1895. THE AUCKLAND RACING CLUB CLASSICS.

From the announcement made in this issue by the Auckland Racing Club it will be seen that the metropolitan authorities are reconstructing the provisions of classical races in a much desired direction. They are making the payments smaller, and giving the races more the appearance of purses provided by the club, rather than stakes contributed by the owners themselves. The Great Northern Derby, Great Northern Foal Stakes, and the Royal Stakes of 1897-98 are made the subject of an official announcement in this issue, from' which it will be seen that the payments previouslyrequired are considerably reduced. In the past the subscriptions for the Derby provided for a first forfeit of 2 sovs, a second one of 3 sovs, and a third of 5. sovs. The Derby of 1897-98 has been arranged so that the first forfeit is 1 sov, the second forfeit has been abolished, and the third reduced from 5 sovs to 3 sovs. Entries for this event are due on i Friday, November 10th. Tn the Great Northern Foal Stakes the second forfeit is abolished, and the third reduced from 5 sovs to 3 sovs. Entries for this are due on the same date as the Derby nominations are required. The Royal Stakes conditions are similarly altered, the first forfeit having been reduced to 1 sov, the second one of 4 sovs abolished, and the third of 6 sovs reduced to 3 sovs. So that yearlings (foals of 1894) can remain in the race right up to December, 1897, and then escape with a 3 sov payment. Foals of 1895 are similarly provided for. Entries for this race close on the same date that nominations are required for the Great Northern Derby and Foal Stakes. The action of the Auckland Racing Club in cutting down the payments required from owners in classic races is to be commended, for of late racing clubs have shown a marked tendency to ostensibly hang out rich purses which are really forced from the owners themselves.