TROTTING.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 873, 20 July 1910, Page 9

TROTTING.

ANNUAL CONFERENCE. NEW RULES AND CONDITIONS. The annual conference of trotting clubs registered with the New Zealand Trotting Association was held in the Chamber of Commerce Hall yesterday. Mr. J. Rowe (Auckland Trotting Club) presided, and the list of delegates was as follows: Messrs. A. A. Fooks (Ashburton T. 0.), R. Wallace ■ (Canterbury Park T.C.), G. Hodges (Forbury. Park T.C.), J. Latham'(Gore T.C.), D. H. Roberts (Groymouth T.C.), It. W. Short (liutt Valley T.C.), B. P. M'Mahon (Inangahua T. 0.), W. Coleraan (Nelson T.C.), P. Selig (N.Z- Trotting Association), G.'B. Ritchie (N.Z. Metropolitan Trotting Association), F. T. Pannell (New Brighton T.C.), W. Watts (Otahulm T.C.), AV. Armstrong (South Wairarapa T.C.), S. Tapp (Wairau T.C.), and J. Colvin (Westport T.C.). President's Address. , Tho president, in his address, stated that during the season two Acts or Parliament came into force vitally, atfecting the sports of trotting and racing. The more important of these was undoubtedly the Race Meetings Bill, to regulate the race meetings of nontotalisator clubs, which took effect from April 1 last. The Bill had already had the effect of clearing the world of sport in the Dominion of the undesirable proprietary atmosphere. The Stamp Duties Amendment Act, which came in force on March 1 last, deals with the extra taxation of clubs. The new measure was at first not generally approved, but tho clubs had now accepted the inevitable with a.good graco, - He (tho speaker) did not think ,that any of theni would find it necessary to reduce their stakes. Those who had watched the course of events, so far as trotting horse racing in the Dominion was concerned, would, he thought,- agree that the work of the conference, the legislative body of trotting, has not been without good results. As each year went by there was a greater absence ■of disputes in the shape of protests ofappeals against the decisions of clubs,, whilst at the same time the good control and regulation of the sport was almost all that could be desired. This, he. thought, was- due in a great measure to the work of the association. Mr. Rowe also referred to tlie impor-' tance of encouraging stamina. If clubs would include in their programmes some of the longer races, he was sure that •it'would be a big step in the right direction. Most, breeders were agreed that the prevalence- of short races was exeri rising a deterrent effect upon stamina,but so long as sprinters were required, breeders would supply them. If, how--ever, they were to foster the ideal trotting horse both for racing purposes.and -usefulness then 1 they must bring out his best qualities, not only i. speed and gameness as a racer, but soundness and endurance as a roadster." The president also touched on the hopple question,' emphasising. the fact that where the harm is done is in converting by the use of the straps a born trotter into a pacer and depriving him of his natural "gait and gracePul stride. ;•. Speaking of stipendiary stewards, the president said that the more one saw of country meetings the more apparent did the need of paid stewards become. Even, a casual racegoer could not fail to notice a state of- things that should not be. The question of cost and the finding of suitable individuals . wero tho chief obstacles; those, however] might be overcome, i£. tho stipendiary steward was a real necessity. In conclusion, the president touched upon the notices of motion that wore to be considered by the: conference,' and upon the- statistics - for the year, which had been prepared according to the usual custom. Tho operations of registered clubs during tho season were shown in the following table :— "dub I'rl^.il "i N.Z. Metro- £ s. £ s. politan i H 88 14,750 0 123,880 i> *Auckland _ 3 8 02 4,630 0 30,923 10 Canterbury , Park _ 2 S 18 4,351 0 40,413 10 Forbury Pk. 3 G 48 4,295 0 37,390 0 New Brighton 2 C 48 3,519 0 39,230 10 •Otahuhu _ 2 5 40 1,855 0 15,413 10 Greymouth - 2 5 40 1,770 0 21,381 0 Ashburton _ 2 3 21 1,180 0 5,891 0 Westport .... 2 3 20 650 0 6J52 0 Kutt Valley 1 2 14 G45 0 3,924 0 Wanganui ... 1 2 14 • 500 0 721 10 Gore _ 1 1 8 400 0 3,164 0 Inangah.ua „ 1 2 14 400 0 3,545 0 S. Wairarapa 1 1 7 300 0 1,963 0 Nelson _...... 1 1 7 20515 1,537 0 ■Wairau 11 7 180 0 1,380 0 S.Canterbury 2 2 14 490 0 — Oamaru ...... 1 1 7 ,280 0 — Southland „ 1 1 6 250 0 — Waimato ■ Plains __ 1 I 6 : 160 0 — Winton ._ 1 1 G 150 0 — Westland .„ 1 1 G ' 140 0 —' Malvern .. 1 1 7 129 ~0 — Waikato 1 1 7 115 0 — Waimangaroa 116 100 0 — Granity 1 1 7 100 0 — Grey Valley 11 G 83 0 — 41 75 564 41,627 15 336,909 10 •Including pony flat races.. ■ The president was"thanked for his-ad-dress, and it was agreed that it be printed and among tho clubs. Alterations to Rules. It was agreed that tho following addition be made to Rule 1 (interpretation): —"Performance means a start in any race or advertised public' exhibition of speed against time." Mr. Selig moved -.—"That - any club failing or neglecting to vote in accordance with Rule 28 may bo fined by tho conference a sum , not exceeding five guineas"." The proposal was carried by ten votes to four. ■ ' ' Motions Withdrawn. ' . On behalf of the South -Wairarapa Club, Mr. Armstrong brought down proposals to remunerate members of the New Zealand Trotting Association for loss of. time incurred while transacting tho association's business, but there was strong opposition, and tho motions were withdrawn. Mr. Selig '■ proposed that totaiisater clubs be required to provido stake money of not less than £200 per diem, instead"of £150 as at present, but after discussion the motion was withdrawn. Optional Entries. Mr. Selig proposed a new rule providing that in tho event of any club holding five or more days' 'racing in the. year, optional races shall not bo allowed. Mr. Paunoll said the New Brighton Club found it impossible to got a three-mile raco if it were confined to either saddle or harness horses. For shorter distances it was easy to get nominations. Mr. Ritchie said from the. spectators' point of viow tho optional raco was an abomination. Ho"would be in fa.vour of making the rule applicable to any meeting lasting over four days. This would still Iqavo small struggling clubs untouched. Tlie president said they could not encourage stamina unless long-distance races were promoted. Tho smaller clubs must be considered. Mr. Fooks moved as an amendment that in tho case of clubs holding five or more days' racing in tho year no optional races shall be ■allowed'of two miles or under. The. motion was amended accordingly and carried

New Rules, The following new rules were adopted: Part Vll—"A'club may at any timo whero tlio nmnbor of acceptances for any harness race exceeds 20 decide to run tho race in iioats." Part , Vll— "Whenever it is necessary, owing to tlio number of horses engaged, to run a race in heats, the iirst throe in each heat shall bo Qualified to stare in the final." ,16Gb.—''The owner (part owner, lessee or part lossco) of a horse competing in. any raco shall not ride or drive any other horse in such race, and if lie commit a breach of this rulo he, together with his own horse and tho horse ridden or driven by him, shall be disqualified for such raeo, and for such further term as the club or association shall think fit." 166c.—"Any trajner of a horso or, horses competing in a raco shall not ride or drive a horse other than that trained by him, in such race, and if ho commit a- breach of this rule, lie, together with tho horse ridden or driven by him, shall be disqualified for such race and for such further term as the club or association shall think fit." 346.—"1n the event of heat racing all the starters' names shall- bo displayed on the totalisator before the decision of the first heat, and speculation shall be confined to it irrespective of the second and final heats. The totalisator shall be finally closed on the event before the start of the first heat." "A Retrograde Proposal." . Mr. Ritchie moved that an added rule m Part VII, providing ' that at least one-seventh of tho stakes given .by a club at a meeting shall bo allotted to a race or races for unhoppled trottors only, be deleted. Mr. Selig said the members of the Trotting Association wore absolutely opposed to this retrograde step. He was sure Mr. Ritchie had no real sympathy with this attempt to remove a rule that had done something to keep tho trotter' on tho face of tlie earth. That the Metropolitan , Club should begrudgo a few pounds in support of the class of horses they were supposed to encourage was.astounding. They ought to give more'stakes, and not allow every trotter to be converted into a pacer. . Mr. Foots, speaking for a small club, opposed the proposal. < Mr. Colvin said it would seem that it was the country districts, and not tho big metropolitan clubs,'..that kept up trotting. ..-.-.- . Mr. Pannell said Mr." Selig was not quite fair to the Metropolitan Club. They had no desire to discourage trotting. The trouble was that they could not give-big stakes 'to trotting horses because thoy could not get sufficient ' nominations. ■ . ■ Mr. Wallace said ample opportunity had been given to owners. There was no necessity to-compel tho clubs to give' a stated amount in any particular' race. The motion w>-is rejected by thirteen votes to four. "■. Mr. Watts moved an amendment to Ilule 160, which provides that no horse in which a paid official or his wife has an interest^ shall start at any trotting meeting itr a- handicap event. Tho amendment, to the effect that the association might grant such -.permission provided tho official concerned does not act in any capacity in connection with the race.'in which ho or his wifo is interested,: was lost by nine votes .to eight. . Office-Bearers. Mr. J.' Rowe (Auckland) was lfceleoted president and Mr. Jas. Colvin (Weetport) vice-president.. Messrs. Ritchie, Pannell, and Gore wero appointed to the executive. It was agreed that the conference meet next year as heretofore, in the "Chamber of Commerce. ' . . It was agreed that totalisator permits be allocated on tho same basis as last year.. \ : ■It was agreed that thanks be extfended'to' the Wellington Racing Club for their courtesy to members attending the conference.