THE CLUBMAN

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1456, 21 March 1918, Page 8

THE CLUBMAN

There is great faith in the future of racing in Australia, and the spring and autumn and the other sales of. bloodstock after each meeting in Victoria during the present season indicate this very clearly. Imported horses and mares, and those bred in Victoria and other States, when offered there have realised good, prices. The dispersals of several studs o": well-known breeders have taken place, and anything of promise has invariably sold well. Stud horses, and more particularly those that have made a name for themselves on the turf, or that have, in addition, promising stock or performers of distinction, have brought good money. Shepherd King, who was last week sold in the estate of the late Mr. Widdis, a prominent breeder, like Comedy King had performed well on Australian soil; and being a fine-look-ing horse commanded a lot of attention and made what must be considered a record price for a sire which had not been at the stud long enough to have even foals to suggest possibilities for his future. There were persons interested in the estate, and when the full particulars come to. hand it will no doubt be learned that competition was not altogether confined to outside buyers. Being a Martagon horse, Shepherd King is a most desirable sire for any stud, and it is a big advertisement for him that he is so highly prized.

Desert Gold’s withdrawal two and a.-half minutes before closing time for scratching for the Essendon Stakes cost some of the bookmakers money. Thinking she would be a sure runner they laid three and fours to one against Wallace Isinglass, who immediately after her scratching was at 6 to 4. It was bad luck for the layers, who could not arrange for a reduction of the odds with the smarties who had got in early, but one backer, and probably more, did not take advantage of the position, but voluntarily presented himself to the layer and accepted 6 to 4 to his money. The layers, with so much competition, are keen to get to work, and the case cited is an exceptional one, of course, but not the first by many of a similar character recorded on Australian racecourses. The totalisatcr does not permit of such happenings, but we cannot help horses being started occasionally to make a price for others, or horses being run to get weight off and to choke backers off. Mr. Lowry, as the representative of Mrs. Lowry and the wounded soldiers and distressed jockeys, is doing his best for the cause, and he cannot be blamed for taking the course he did, believing that the thunderstorm which broke over the grounds, deluging the course, w r ould prejudice the prospects of success and possibly future successes. It is only within the last half-hour really before a race that the starters become public property. If backers invest their money before time and layers operate before time, it is their funeral, but there is such a thing as give and take when unforseen circumstances arise, as in the case under notice, and true sportsmen never hesitate to meet each other in a fair way. There are plenty of men who do not recognise any such fine principles. They always want points in their favour.

When owners break their agreements and engage two horsemen to ride they are sometimes made to pay. two riding fees, -which appears to be the extreme penalty so far as they are concerned. When a horseman: breaks an engagement to ride he may lose his license for a time, be fined any sum a racing club may think it advisable to impose,- and be reported to the District Committee as well. Some riders have paid penalties of bitter experience by being compelled to stand down for lengthy terms, and in some cases have probably deserved all they have got. Others have suffered when they should not have done so. There should be a hard and fast rule, and probably will be some day, compelling each rider to keep a book in which his engagements should be entered and duly signed by an owner or his accredited representative on employing him. That would save a lot of trouble and unpleasantness. Some

owners when engaging horsemen desire them to keep their engagements secret for various reasons. Others, of course, do not mind publicity. Occasionally a rider will ask his employer not to announce an engagement, and he, too may have reasons. In some rare cases it has happened that owners will not engage riders until the last moment. A few horsemen have their services keenly sought after and with the chance of a number of mounts there are some who like to string owners on until they can get an idea of the prospects of success of their horses. Some are influenced by the money they may have the chance of winning. It is well known that there are a number who can command and look for more than the rules of racing provide for them, and some get a bit laid to them to nothing. This is not an every-day experience, however. The New Zealand horseman year in and year out gets very little over and above the fees provided by the rules. Naturally, they prefer the owner who pays a retainer or who is prepared to put something on for them or lay them

something beyond the regulation fees. There is all too good reason to believe that certain horsemen, as soon as they can get the mounts to suit have their friends at work backing doubles, or if their own mounts are not to their liking they back the mounts of other horsemen with whom they are on the most friendly terms. Betting considerations are more or less in evidence, and that is often where trouble begins. While the means of speculation are available human nature will not change. If a horseman does not do business through the owner for whom he rides, as he is expected to do, or with the owner’s consent, he may do it through someone else —and, indeed, very often does. The non-betting horseman who has been any length of time at the game is probably more rare than the noninvesting owner, but there are some who bet very little, while others have been known to plunge.

For a horseman of the standing of B. Deeley to be fined £2O for a breach of a riding engagement is a more

serious matter than is at first suggested. A 'fine like that to some horsemen would be a severe matter for them financially, but to Deeley the monetary consideration is of secondary importance. He, however, is one in his profession who has been long enough riding to set an example to younger riders, and his offence could not well be treated lightly. There may have been some misunderstanding. Such a thing is possible, but for any horseman to think that he may in these days throw up a ride that does not appeal to him in order to ride another horse which he believes has a much better chance of success is not fair to the owner and does not do the profession credit. Such an act cannot be passed over. In this instance Deeley rode the winner, Red Ribbon, in the Wairarapa Cup, and would not profit over and above the fee, which would barely pay the fine, unless the owner laid him a stake to nothing or he supported the mare himself. In the interests of owners and the riders themselves agreements to ride should be signed, and that would save dis-

putes and no end of trouble. Just before the Wairarapa meeting Sweet Corn ran at the Napier Park meeting, where she was ridden by Deeley, and there showed what appeared to the stewards most inconsistent form. The Malster mare was a big outsider, like Croesus, the winner, on the first day and ran unplaced. Next day she won over the same distance, starting second favourite, Croesus, Lingerie and Parisian Diamond, who ran on the first day, not taking part. Sweet Corn’s running was not questioned on the first day, which would make it appear that it was only after she had won on the second day that suspicion war raised, and the stewards held a meeting and expressed dissatisfaction with Deeley’s riding, taking no further action, however. The owner of Sweet Corn, Mr. -W. G‘. Stead, wrote asking the stewards to take fresh evidence. This was evidently in defence of Deeley, but after considering the matter at a meeting on Saturday they declined to alter their previous decision. Sweet Corn has on occasions shown some brilliant form, but the going was heavy, and

it is claimed that the mare is unreliable. In a weaker field and meeting Elocution on 61b. better terms she turned the tables on Mrs. Perry’s representative, who was favourite each day and ran second to Croesus in the Flying and third in the St. Patrick’s Handicap, won by Sweet Corn, Rewakore splitting the pair. It is possible that Elocution did not run quite as well on the second day as on the first. The decision favours of the Scotch verdict “Not proven,” of which Deeley got the benefit, for the reason that there was nothing but suspicion to convict on. It is not at all a satisfactory decision all the same.

The North Island Breeders, Owners and Trainers’ Association, or a section of members thereof, have found fault with the Auckland Racing Club's Programme Committee for placing the Great Northern Hurdle Race and Great Northern Steeplechase on the first day of their winter meeting, their main argument being that by so doing the opportunity is lost to the owner of a good horse of winning the double. There are surely some other considerations, and very important ones. The programme had to be shortened by a day, and the club have put on no fewer than eight jumping races out of the sixteen events. Maiden steeplechasers, hunters, hurdle and cross-country horses, as well as candidates for the open hurdle and steeplechase events, are catered for. In order to have placed the Great Northern Steeplechase, of 1400sovs., on the second day, the Winter Steeplechase, of 75050v5., would have had to be run on the first day, and some of the interest would have been lost by seeing- probably all the horses that were left in the Great Northern Steeplechase running for the minor event on the first day. Far better to have the programme arranged as it has been, with overnight handicaps for the second day events. Then if horses engaged on the first day in the Great Northern Hurdle Race are wanted for the Winter Steeplechase on the second day they can compete with the horses that run in the Great Northern Steeplechase on the first day, and the Great Northern Hurdlers and such of the maiden ’chasers as may be brought out. If their owners prefer it they can keep their hurdle horses for the Remuera Hurdles. The Great Northern programme is a most attractive one as it is, and there is no need to alter it for sentimental reasons just because an odd owner or two might be tempted to send their horses to try and win the double, it would, of course, be possible for a particularly good and lenientlyhandicapped horse to win the double on one day, a feat that would put in the shade anything yet achieved but to get the exceptional horse and to get the right weights is the problem. A ton of luck would be wanted as well. There are plenty of owners who will be well satisfied if they can land one of the prizes on the first day, and some who will be content if they can have a reasonable chance of securing a lesser stake or even a second prize on the second place m °ney is good to an. When the Auckland Racing Club get back their lost days of racing they can return to the old order at heir discretion. They have presented a very good programme under the altered circumstances, and the only thing we are disposed to splinter a lance over is the smallness of some th ™ -5 riZe ?,’ such ’ for ins tance, as the Maiden Steeplechase the Jervois Handicap (for which there are so ny /^ le horses) > Hunt Club W „ e have lons contended Should be made more valuable), the Orakei and Remuera Hurdles and Ftaroy welter. The winter Is “e time to cater to the full for jumpers “w'zeal a nr rri T fr ° m aU parts of wZn h!? 1 h ’ and more m °ney could well have been added to the minor events, when it is certain that they will be amongst the best betting races and revenue getters for the club The jumping horses and horses of a class which are more plentiful than tor s " tb her Wa S t better Provision made for them. Some of the prizes are really only up to third-rate club form