RACING NEWS

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1473, 18 July 1918, Page 9

RACING NEWS

NEW ZEALAND RACING CONFERENCE.

IMPORTANT MATTERS CONSIDERED.

ESSENTIALITY OF RACING IN WAR TIME. BOUNDEN DUTY TO CONTINUE. The annual conference of the New Zealand Racing Conference was held in Wellington on Thursday, about 40 delegates from the various clubs being present, the president (Sir Geo. Clifford) occupying the chair. In presenting his annual address the president said: — “Our meeting to-day brings us nearly to the fourth anniversary of the first blow struck by Germany in her crime-stained attempt to force a despotic yoke upon us. Relentless war with far worse than the traditionary horrors of war still persecutes the world. Every Briton worthy of the name has striven to bear his individual part in the universal resistance, and all sections of the community have view with each other in collective endeavours. The exceptions are branded with an indelible shame. In this common effort the racing organisation of the Dominion has borne its conspicuous share. Enemies of racing have told us that our continuance of it during war time is a heartless mockery —we retort that it is a bounden duty. The supply of chargers is essential to the equipment of an army even where the modern motor-driven tanks and aircraft are available. Examples of this are frequent in recent operations in France, Palestine and Mesopotamia, and only an ignoramus would deny the necessity of the racecourse test for the effective horsing of cavalry. All the warring Governments have had the foresight to preserve the cream of the turf for this purpose, and, not least, our shrewd adversaries. Every conceivable preparation for future wars is ever in their minds, and they know well that equine courage and endurance are qualities only obtainable by the use of thoroughbred sires. While racing is thus essential to complete military efficiency, we claim for it that it presents no obstruction to war work, that it offers an antidote to the dangerous gloom engendered by continuous foreboding of possible and impossible disasters, and that the large and ungrudged revenue derived from it is of material assistance to the

Treasury. As to the last consideration, it is calculated that racing clubs have paid in taxation for this season about £lBO,OOO. Voluntary donations since the outbreak of war probably exceed £lOO,OOO, and the subscriptions to War Loans £50,000. The taxation paid during the past four years will have reached and probably exceeded £640,000, and that it has not mounted to a still greater sum is the fault of the Government, and not of the clubs. We have readily submitted to the temporary curtailment of the days of racing, but we fail to understand why access to courses should be purposely made difficult when it is perfectly obvious that the railways are sacrificing a very highly profitable business for no perceptible or disclosed advantage. PROPOSAL TO FURTHER AUGMENT WAR FUNDS.

“We have opponents — some are curiously self-persuaded that we are the central figures of a nest of iniquity. With these imaginative gentlemen who have probably rarely, if ever, trod a racecourse in their lives, and who consider it not unseemly to utilise the war in furthering their unreasoning hostility, we cannot deal. Argument and proof are equally ineffective with the invincibly ignorant. There are, however, others who are honestly unconvinced that good and not evil accrues from present racing-—I have already said something on this head, but I propose to ask you in committee to work into practical shape a proposal to devote all clear profits of all racing clubs

for the duration of the war to war purposes. This would be more than any other institution has achieved, and will answer those of our friends who may have doubts about the expediency of our perseverance. They may also have forgotten that owners of racing stables owe it to men who have been in their service perhaps for many years, perhaps a lifetime, not to cut off suddenly their means of subsistence. ACHIEVEMENTS OF PAST SEASON. “We may well be proud of the achievements during the past season of New Zealand horses in Australia. We have had large attendances to witness excellent racing on our own courses; we may be assured that these crowds would not have overcome the obstacles confronting them without the keenest love of a recreation, the general honesty of which they are not slow to recognise. The stipendiary stewards have, in unobtrusive ways, helped to create this confidence by their influence and watchfulness. However, malpractice, where it occurs, is rarely rooted in

the sport of racing; it springs from the excrescences which we have long aimed at extirpating. In these efforts we have not had that full co-oper-ation from the authorities which we had a right to expect. If illegal betting were rigorously suppressed, and the illegality somewhat extended, we should remove most of the inducements to offences on the turf. The paucity of appeals for the year may be a sort of testimony to the good conduct of the sport. We have to thank Mr. C. P. Skerrett, K.C., and Mr. O. S. Watkins for their assistance on the solitary appeal decided by us. SAD LOSS TO RACING COMMUNITY. “We have had to mourn sad losses since we met. We shall miss in our deliberations the Hon. J. D. Ormond, whose cerise jacket was the most prominent of all racing colours on our courses, and whose experience and counsel were so valuable to us on the conference, and Mr. Murdoch McLean, who often sat with us, Mr. G. P. Donnelly has also passed away, an enthusiast in racing as in all he undertook, and Mr. J. F. Hartland, one of the best and most courteous of secretaries. ENCOURAGEMENT OF BREEDING. “Many importations of thoroughbred stallions and mares during the past 12 months will have been noted

with satisfaction. Fresh blood of the best strains cannot fail in so favourable a climate to make its influence felt. The records of the best imported mares of the past form a sign-post towards success for the stud master of these later times. For the future we have only to persevere consistently in the policy which the conference has throughout pursued. Comparison of the present with the past well justifies it. None can quote any country in the world which has done so much as our own to promote clean racing for the benefit of its supporters. Where else do we find the bookmakers barred? Where else are proprietary clubs non-existent? Where else is every penny earned by racing institutions devoted to the maintenance of the sport? Our policy has been to gain the confidence of the people by removing all grounds of suspicion. Let us pursue that policy without fear or favour, and if we are but true to ourselves, no fictitious opposition from adversaries without knowledge of our methods or understanding of our principles will avail to injure us.”

STIPENDIARY STEWARDS COMMITTEE’S REPORT. The Stipendiary Stewards Committee presented the following report:— “The control and management of race meetings by clubs continues to show improvement generally. Officials in most instances endeavour to more strictly abide by the Rules of Racing, and are .quick to take advantage of suggestions likely to aid the management of their meetings. It is, however, a matter of regret that effective cleansing of racecourses is still sadly retarded by non-employ-ment of efficient racecourse detectives. The public are entitled to this protection on our racecourses, and will no doubt one day demand it. It is also more than apparent that bookmaking is still rampant, and that a vast amount of illegal betting is at present done on or near racecourses, so that race clubs and the Government are losing large sums of money each year through betting being diverted from its proper channel. This could be mitigated by the adoption of a proper detective system. Although numerous prosecutions under the Gaming Act for bookmaking have taken place during the year past and in many cases large fines inflicted on conviction, it is a a matter for comment that punishment of that nature has not had the desired effect. “Notwithstanding the conditions en-

tailed by the war still raging in Europe, it is essential that many clubs should devote some of their profits to imperative improvements to their appointments. In some cases those needed improvements were urgent ones when the war started, and are ever so much more so now. We trust that during the coming season many of these improvements will be undertaken. “Racing during the season just closing has maintained a good standard. The class of horses racing has not shown any deterioration. Owing no doubt to the curtailment of racing, fields in many instances have increased in size, and have been occasionally quite unwieldy, especially over short courses. Notwithstanding the large fields often engaged, interference in running from carelessness or otherwise still diminishes. We are pleased to state that we have not found it necessary to challenge the running of many horses during the past year, and in those instances were corrupt practices have been proved, the inevitable pun’shment has followed. It is a matter for congratulation that in some cases

where efforts have been made to tamper with jockeys and others connected with stables, the culprits have been severely punished. The guessor or spieler is one of the greatest menaces to clean sport. “Despite the war and curtailment of racing the volume of totalisator investments will apparently show an increase as compared with the 1916-17 season. Practically the only complaints made by the public under this head have been due to insufficient accommodation provided for both receiving and paying by a few racing clubs. This increased accommodation or convenience is a matter which should engross the attention of the clubs. “Notwithstanding that quite a number of jockeys have been called to the colours during the season, the list of licensed jockeys is again a very lengthy one, and contains the names of many who appear to be in no way qualified to hold a license. We have pleasure in stating that generally the conduct of jockeys during the season has been good. “We wish to reiterate our opinion that it is essential in the interests of good and efficient racing that no appointment to positions of judge or clerk of scales should be of an honorary nature. It is obvious that as racing has now become a huge business that so far as possible practical

posts indicated. We think it desirable that during the winter months clubs should not include in their programme any event starting later than 4 p.m. This matter has been well brought home to the public by the curtailment, and in some instances, total cessation of train services on race days. In spite of the difficulties encountered in reaching race meetings by the public under war conditions, attendance has been well maintained, which goes to show that racing, when properly conducted, induces many thousands of persons to enjoy a healthy outing.” The following remit came before the conference at the request of the stipendiary stewards committee: — “Racecourse detectives shall be appointed by the New Zealand Racing Conference, or by the committee thereof nominated for that purpose, and with such powers and subject to such regulations as from time to time may be conferred or approved by the conference.” Most of the speakers considered that there was no necessity for such appointments, and that the various clubs were well able to watch for such abuses, and the motion was lost by 24 votes to 11. APPOINTMENTS. The stipendiary stewards committee was reappointed as follows: — Sir George Clifford, Bart., Hon. W. H. Herries, Hon. O. Samuel, Messrs. W. E. Bidwill, E. A. Campbell, P. Miller and O. S. Watkins, The report of the dates committee in regard to the dates of race meetings for the 1918-19 season’ was adopted, and the committee was reelected as follows:—Hon. E. W. Alison, Messrs. W. E. Bidwill, E. Goodbehere, P. Hunter, H. Lowry and P. Miller. The Hon. E. Mitchelson moved the re-election of Sir George Clifford as president. He said that all were indebted to Sir George Clifford for his good work in the interests of racing. The Hon. O. Samuel seconded the motion. Every year, he said, increased their appreciation of his great services and of his exceptional qualifications for the position. He was a man universally respected. The motion was carried amidst applause. Sir George Clifford said that he would not have been able to do the work but for the excellent assistance of the secretary (Mr. H. R. Sellars). The conference passed a motion thanking the president for the zealous manner in which he had carried out his duties. Mr. Arnaud McKellar was reappointed auditor, while the Hon. O. Samuel was elected a trustee in place of the late Hon. J. D. Ormond. AMENDMENTS TO RULES. The following motion from the Taranaki District Clubs was carried: —“That a ‘district committee’ is to mean a committee consisting of the chairman and five members of the. committee of the metropolitan club to be elected by the committee of the metropolitan club and of five delegates to be elected by the totalisator clubs in the metropolitan area. The chairman of the committee of the metropolitan club shall be ex officio chairman of the district committee. Five to form a quorum.” Mr. W. F. M. Buckley’s motion that no person who is the paid official of any club shall be eligible for election as a delegate to the district committee was lost. Another motion by the same gentleman to the effect that: “The programme of every meeting at which the totalisator is used, or at which the total amount to be given in stakes exceeds £lOO per diem from September 1 to June 6 inclusive shall include two flat races per diem of not less than one mile. The programme of every meeting from June 7 to August 31 inclusive shall include at least one maiden or hack steeplechase, and if such programme includes one or more flat races, there shall be one flat race of not less than one mile and a-quarter,” was heavily defeated.

Hon. E. W. Alison’s motion to validate acceptances, etc., “where entries, acceptances or declaration of forfeits having been made by telegram lodged with a telegraph office at least two hours before the advertised time have, through any cause, •been delayed in delivery to the place advertised for receiving such entries, acceptances and declaration of forfeit,” was lost. Mr. E. Goodbehere (Wanganui District Clubs) in discussing the motion maintained that there was no need for things to be left till the last moment, while the president said that in order to guard

against possible fraud a definite hour was needed. Sir George Clifford moved that the following new rule be introduced, but the motion was lost: —“All horses in which the same owner has any interest shall be bracketed on the totalisator, and owners of such horses shall give notice to the secretary of the club not later than the hour of acceptance or final payment. If notice is not so given the owner shall be fined by the stewards in a sum of not less than ssovs, and not exceeding lOOsovs; and also shall be liable for any loss occasioned directly or indirectly through omission to give such notice. For the purposes of this rule a husband shall be deemed to have an interest in any horse in whch his wife has an interest. Executors of the will of a deceased owner who have no personal financial interest in horses under their control as such executors shall not be under obligation to bracket such horses with horses privately owned by themselves.” The following motion by the Hon. O. Samuel was carried: “Every license issued by a district committee shall, subject to suspension or cancellation, entitle the person therein named as trainer or jockey to train or ride (as the case may be) during the term mentioned in the license.” The mover said that the . question had arisen through the issuing by the Taranaki Club of a license to a certain prominent jockey. Doubt existed for a while whether the license issued was valid, and therefore whether a stake won by a horse ridden by a jockey holding such a doubtful “license” could be withheld. The object of the motion was to make the position clear. The Dunedin Jockey Club moved an amendment to an existing rule that the minimum weight to be carried by any horse in any handicap flat race shall be 7.0 (instead of 6.7). The motion was lost. The following addition to rules was moved by the Hon. O. Samuel and carried: “Any district committee may appeal to the conference from any determination of any other district committee in pursuance of which a license is granted:— * The following amended rule was agreed to: “Races in which any horse is debarred from entry by reason of his winnings having amounted to a specified amount are hack races, and the word ‘hack’ used in the title of any race shall be deemed to indicate that it is a hack race.” The following new rules were proposed and lost: — “That the crouch seat be forbidden in hurdle races and steeplechases and all riders to have their stirrups lengthened to the satisfaction of the stipendiary stewards.” “If the stewards or any person specially deputed by the stewards for the purpose, find that the stirrup leathers of any jockey (by reason of their undue shortness) render the jockey unable sufficiently to control his horse in hurdle races or steeplechases without endangering himself and other jockeys or horses in the race, the stewards, or person so deputed, may require the stirrup leathers to be lengthened.” A new rule which was approved was: “If it be intended to run a horse in shoes heavier than racing plates the owner or trainer of such horse must report the fact to the stewards prior to weighing out.” The following proposed amendment and new rules respectively were approved:—

“If no dividend winning ticket be

taken in any race, or if any race be declared void, the amount paid on the purchase of each ticket for that race shall be refunded on production and delivery of the ticket, less the usual commission.”

“If no dividend winning ticket is taken on the first horse, the dividend shall be paid on the second horse only. If no dividend winning ticket is taken on the second horse the dividend shall be paid on the first horse only.”

Another new rule which was adopted was: — “Every club during the month of August of each year, shall forward to the secretary of the conference an audited balance sheet, showing the receipts and expenditure of the club during the previous racing year.”

The conference decided to take no action in regard to the application to remove the balance of the disqualification imposed on a jockey named F. Langstone by the Westland Club. It was reported that the following clubs had been given permission for a less sum to be given in stakes than the net amount derived from the totalisator in the season 1916-17:— Takapuna, Taumarunui, Waipa, Opunake and Dannevirke.