TURF GOSSIP.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1578, 22 July 1920, Page 17

TURF GOSSIP.

Grey Arrow, a* three-year-old half brother to Taiamai, won the second division of the Granville Stakes at Rosehill, on June 26. Grey Arrow is by the Spearmint horse Greyspear, and his dam (Lady Molly) is an imported mare by Trenton from Dainty Lady, by Surefoot. Mr. J. H. Finney, who has been a member of the executive of the Nelson Jockey Club for 15 years, and who filled the office of president for two years, has been appointed secretary to the club, in place of the late Mr. J. Glen. Mr. Finney is a son of Mr. E. Finney, a former president of the Nelson Jockey Club, and a son-in-law of Mr. A. Hathaway, secretary of the Masterton Racing Club. By the Riverina which arrived from Sydney last week, an upstanding five-year-old imported Englishbred horse named Prince Willonyx reached Auckland. He is by that rare stayer, the William the Third horse, Willonyx, from Gaily Bawn, daughter of Gallinule, and was purchased from his importer in Australia on account of Mr. T. L. Bright, of Auckland, and on his breeding and appearance should make a useful addition to the ranks of stud horses. He is at present located in Greenlane at the stables of P. Conway, who met the steamer and took charge of the newcomer, a good bay in colour, nicely marked with white.

Mr. Geo. West, who disposed of the five-year-old Gienapp—Contour gelding Glentour about 12 months ago for £2OO, has repurchased him at a considerably less figure. The aftereffects of influenza left the son of Gienapp looking anything but a racehorse, but during the last couple of weeks he has built up nicely, and judging by the care bestowed upon him by Mr. West it will not be longbefore Glentour is again seen with the colours up. The following straight out resolution was moved by Mr A. Smith at the annual meeting of the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club in Christchurch last week: “That nomination and acceptance fees during the present year be reduced by onethird, on account of the extra cost to horse-keepers, and the increase in fares and travelling expenses. “Anyone, Mr. Smith pointed out, who had to do with horses knew that it was impossible to keep them going except at great expense; gear, shoeing, and keep had all gone up 100 per cent.

The railways were going to charge a great deal more for carryinghorses. If the club was to be kept going it’ would have to encourage the small man. He noticed that in Australia that the nominations were free in respect of races up to £2OOO. Mr. Leech seconded the motion. Mr. J. S. Williams pointed out that effect could not be given to the motion, if agreed to, as the club’s programme for the year 'had been passed by the association, and had been printed. Mr. J. Wood said that in view of the increase in stakes of £ll,OOO, and of the likelihood of the club being called upon to pay income tax, it would be unwise to reduce the fees. Replying to Mr. R. Brown, the chairman said that at present the nomination and acceptance fees were 1J per cent, of the stake. Mr. Brown said that the fees were very reasonable. He would rather see the stakes increased. By reducing the fees to next to nothing he thought that they would have horses competing that ought not to compete. (Hear, hear.) On being put, the motion was lost on the voices.