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New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1572, 10 June 1920, Page 8

At a meeting of the Board of the New Zealand Trotting Association at Christchurch the other day, the chairman (Mr. H. F. Nicoll) reported that an appeal had been lodged by B. Shadbolt, owner of Roe Bell, against the decision of the Manawatu Trotting Club, in dismissing his protest against A. Freeth’s Ballin for galloping in the Palmerston North Handicap at the club’s recent meeting. The case had been reheard by the stewards, who had adhered' to their previous decision. An appeal had then been lodged. The Appeal Committee of the Association had considered the case, and decided that it was a question of fact, in which no appeal could lie. The board upheld this ruling, and it was decided that the appeal deposit should be refunded in the circumstances.

Mr. A. J. Toxward evidently has hopes of getting another race out of Star Lady, as he has nominated her for the Caulfield Cup.

Attempts were made in southern parts of this Island and in the South Island to break up the Jockeys’ Association, and so far succeeded, as to cause many horsemen —some of them ■ prominent ones —to withdraw from it. That is why the members and nonmembers have been riding since. They are a divided force, with the same objective, however, the main point of disagreement between the way of going about the business of trying to get themselves on a better footing. It is practically settled now' that the horsemen of this country and the apprentices will be better paid in the comipg season. The owners should be allowed a voice in the matter before the question reaches the Racing Conference, and then they will not be left in a position, to complain of anything with which they might not agree. The - jockeys doubtlessly appreciate the sympathy of labour unions,' but if there was any legitimate reason for invoking their aid we have failed to. discover it. The horsemen of this country could have won off their own bat if they had handled their business better, but if it has been bungled they are going to win all the same by having their requests and claims considered and dealt with by sportsmen, who have ho desire to avoid their responsibilities and who will see that even-handed justice is accorded the profession as a body, even though the methods of trying to obtain it have been of the high-handed order and have caused resentment and, delay. All will be plain sailing ere long.

If the Auckland Racing Club’s luck was dead in on- Thursday a lot of people will ,be of opinion that it was right- out on Saturday, on which day rain fell so.,heavily throughout that no committee could have, accepted the responsibility of racing on such a day. Jupiter Pluvius-came really to the aid of the Auckland Racing Club, which was already placed in a somewhat embarrassing position through the trams not running. . It afforded people most deeply concerned a little-more time, for-reflection, and for the tramway hands to review the situation they had -brought about, while most people were considering how best to get to Ellerslie when racing would be resumed. •In the meantime taxi cars and-’buses were largely in evi-dence-doing.big-business, even though Saturday was a very wet day and it continued so until well into and through - the - night.- It is- a long while since more rain fell over Auckland and suburbs in a given time. Sunday came in-mild and with the-sun shining and a little warmth, and no doubt the horses that- had competed on Thursday were none the worse for the extra time -between days—some of them all the better. The committee of .the-Auckland-Racing Club decided to ,go on with the second day’s racing on. Monday and-conclude on Wednesday, instead of as intended on Tuesday. - • - -

The winner' of the Adelaide Cup, Golden Sunset, who ran the two miles in’3min. 26%5ec., carrying 8.5, is by Sunflower IL. sire of one of the English fillies imported by Mr; A. Chisholm. of Southland, in April last.