RACING OPPORTUNITIES IN WAR TIME.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1465, 23 May 1918, Page 9

RACING OPPORTUNITIES IN WAR TIME.

The announcement to the effect that the well-known Masterton sportsman, Mr. W. R. Kemball, will in all probability take a team of horses across to Australia in the spring furnishes further recognition of the fact that many owners in the Dominion are becoming more and more impressed with the opportunities offered to New Zealand horses to win substantial stakes in the Commonwealth. It is not altogether the high stakes which are tempting New Zealanders to plan a trip to Australia with their racers, but the novelty of seeing one’s colours ranged alongside those carried by well known performers on the Australian turf has a strong fascination for the more ambitious owner. Although the reduction of race days in New Zealand has not, so far as we are aware, made any material difference to New Zealand’s war efforts, turf enthusiasts having demonstrated that their patriotism is quite equal to that of any other section of the community, it may have caused several local owners to look further afield for additional opportunities of racing their leading thoroughbreds in important weight-for-age events. It must be said, however, that the racing clubs in New Zealand have met the position in regard to curtailed race days in a commendable spirit, an increase in stakes having been decided upon in the majority of instances. Taken collectively the stakes on offer for leading events run in the Dominion are better than in pre-war times, but then it must not be forgotten that consequent upon there being fewer races the fields are almost invariably larger. Any further restriction of racing would undoubtedly create a difficult problem for a number of clubs, as the fields for some events are quite large enough already, especially during the period of the season when there are few meetings. Until the long looked for peace comes, owners will have to remain content restricted opportunities to wiiF races, which, in most cases, are becoming correspondingly difficult, and it is, therefore, a matter for gratification to note that quite a number of clubs have increased many of their events in value since the curtailment of racing took place. Especially is an increase in stake monies desirable in the case of many hack events, in which the entries are nearly always large, for seldom do the owners of these horses secure a win, and certainly a good stake is warranted in such circumstances.

In carrying on their operations during the war the various clubs are doing far more good than would have been the case had their meetings been suspended, as not only are they contributing a very substantial sum in revenue to the Government, but are fulfilling the expressed wish of a great number of supporters of the turf at present on active service, many being owners who have left their horses in charge of their trainers or friends to be raced and cared for during their absence abroad with the Expeditionary Forces. Racing in the Dominion has maintained its popularity in a remarkable manner during the past year or so, providing much needed recreation for thousands at a time when some respite from the worries and monotonous routine of every-day life is most necessary. Racing owners are particularly well catered for by the clubs in New Zealand, and compared to a decade ago the stakes allotted for the various meetings are undoubtedly much more attractive, which, considering the abnormal period, is distinctly creditable to the clubs who are doing their best in this direction to keep the sport going until better conditions prevail. That owners should desire to cross the Tasman Sea with their horses and attempt to capture some

of the rich stakes offering in Australia is in no way a reflection upon the status of racing in the Dominion, and there is certainly no reason why these sportsmen should not endeavour to win fresh laurels for New Zealand on the racecourses of Australia. During the season now closing, Biplane and Desert Gold, by their illustrious deeds on the principal racecourses in the Commonwealth, gave the Dominion a splendid advertisement throughout that continent, and at the same time helped indirectly in swelling the patriotic funds of both countries. Apart from the patriotic aspect, every encouragement should be given in fostering the interests of racing in Australia and New Zealand in the shape of exchange visits between the crack performers of both countries, and should these trips become of more frequent occurrence general appreciation will be expressed by turf enthusiasts at such a desirable state of affairs.