COMMENT ON THE HOBSON HANDICAP.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume IX, Issue 464, 15 June 1899, Page 15

COMMENT ON THE HOBSON HANDICAP.

“Asmodeus” (in the Melbourne Leader} has the following fair comment in the Hobson Handicap case : — A very interesting case cropped up in racing affairs in New Zealand. It arose out of a disputed start for the Hobson Handicap at the Takapuna Summer meeting, in connection with which the stewards took the course of decideing no race in the face of the starter’s declaration that it was a start* An appeal by Mr J C. Booth (the owner of the horse which came in first in the first race) to the Auckland Raoiug Club was upheld. From the very outset the Takapuna stewards contended that they were within their powers, and directly the Auckland Racing Club’s finding was announced they were quickly in the field with a counter appeal to the chairman of the Racing Conference against the the decision of the Auckland body. A court was set up to hear the case, Sir George Clifford, the Hon. J. D. Ormond and Mr H. D. Bell as judges, and these gentlemen, after considering the matter, brought in the following judgment : —“ln the absence of any definite rule, to make the statement of the starter as to what took place final, the stewards of the Takapuna club were within their power in determining the question. They therefore have reserved the decision of the metropolitan club; and restore that of the Takapuna club.” In face of this decision, the much vexed question of What constitutes a start ? is as indefinite in New Zealand as it is here. It is a subject which has been repeatedly discussed in these columns, and it behoves the V.R.C. to frame a rule bearing directly on the point at issue. That a percentage of accidents, although practically infinitesimal, are bound to occur with

the barrier system is inevitable, and sooner or later it will be found imperative to have a start properly defined in the rules of racing. Hitherto, when hitches have occured with the gate, Victorians stewards here always remained content to abide by the testimony of the starter, but this may not always prove acceptable, and it would considerably lessen that functionary’s responsibilities, as well as place this much discussed matter on a move satisfactory basis, were the question, What is a start and what is not, to be less vague than it is at present made to appear in the rules of racing.