SPORT OF KINGS

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 252, 12 July 1918, Page 7

SPORT OF KINGS

RACING CONFERENCE i PUBLIC'S KEENNESS FOR Till TURF VIEWS OF STIPENDIARY STEWARDS. Tho New Zealand Bacing Conferenci sat in Wellington yesterday. Sir Ueorgi Clifford presided, and there were abou loriy delegates present. In tho course uf Iris address to the con forentV tlie president iiaul:—'"'luruing to 'the record uf tlie past season, wo ma) well lie proud of tne achievements oi Now Zealand's horses iu Australia. Wt have had largo attendances to witness e.v ccllenc racing on our own courses; wc may bo assured l.hal these crowds would not havo overcome 'tho obstacles confronting thoiu without the keenest love of a recreation, the general honesty oi which they are not slow to recognise. The stipendiary stewards have, in unobtrusive ways, helped (o c tea to this confidence by their influence : ml watchfulness. However, malpractice, where it occurs, is rarely rooted in the sport ol racing; it springs't'roni the excrescence? which- wo havo long aimed at extirpating. In these efforts we have not had thai; full co-operation from the authorities which we had a right to expeet. If illegal betting were rigorously suppieased, and the illegality somewhat extended, we should remove .most of tho inducements to offences on tho turf. Tho paucity of appeals for the year may bo a sort of testimony to the good conduct of the sport. We have lo thank Mr. C. P. Skerrett, K.C., and Mr.- 0. S. Watkins, for their assistance oil the solitary appeal decided by us. A\o havo had to mourn sad losses since- we met. Wc shall miss ill our deliberations tho Hun. J. D. Ormond, who?e cerise jacket was the mosi: prominent ot' all racing colours on our courses, and whoso oxperi-ei-.ce and counsel were so valuable to us on the conference, and Mr. Murdoch M'Lean, 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. P. Hartland, cue of the best and most courteous of secretaries. Progress of Breeding. "Many importations c.f thoroughbred stallions ami mares during the past twolvo months will have been noted with satisfaction. Fresh blood of the best strains cannot fail in so favourable a c-limatp to make its influence felt. The records of the best imported marcs of the past form a signpost towards success l'of tho studina.it.er of these later times. Pot tho future we have only to persevere consistently in tho policy which tho conference has throughout pursued. Comparison of the present with the past well justifies it. None can quote any country in tho world which has 'tone so much as our own to promote clean racing for the benefit of its supporters. iVliere else do we find tho bookmakers burred? Where are proprietary clubs non-existent? Where else is every penny earned by racing institutions devoted (o the maintenance of the sport? Our policy has- been to gain the confidence of tho people by removing nil grounds of suspicion. Let ns pursue thai policy without fear or favour, and if we are but true to ourselves, iio fictitious opposition from adversaries without knowledge of our methods or understanding of our principles will avail to injure us." Control of Race Meetings. The Stipendiary Stewards' Committee reported;—" The control aud management of race meetings by clubs continues lo show improvement generally. Officials iu most instances endeavour to inoro strictly abide by the Itules of Racing, and arc quirk to take advantage of suggestions likely to aid the management of their meetings. It is, however, a mat ler of regret that effective cleansing of lacecourses is still sadly retarded by nonemployment. of efficient racecourse detectives. Tho.public are entitled (o this protection on our racecourses, and will no doubt one day demand it. Jt is also mora than apparent that bookmaking is still''rampant,'and that a vast amount of illegal betting is at present done ou or near racecourses, so that laco clubs and the Government are losing largo sums of money each year thro.igh 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 for bookmaking have taken place during.the year pa3t and in many cases large fines inflicted on conviction, it is a matter for comment that punishment of that nature has not had tho desired effect. Racecoursc Appointments. "Notwithstanding the conditions entailed by the war still raging in Europe, it is essential that many clubs should devote some of their profits lo 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. Wo trust that during the coming season many of these improvements will ho undertaken. Good Racing. "Racing during the season just closing has maintained a good standard. The class of horses racing has rot shown any deterioration. Owing no doubt to

tho curtailment of racing, fields in man; instances havo increased in size, am havo been occasionally quite, unwieldy especially over short courses. Notwith standing tho largo fields often engaged interference in running from carelessnes or otherwise still diminishes. We iin pleased lo slate that wo havo not foum it, necessary to challenge the running o IQ many horses during the past year, am in tlioso instance-! whero corrupt prac tices have been proved, the inevitable punishment, has followed. It is a inat.tei lor congratulation that in some ease; whero elforts havo been made to tampei with jockeys and _others counccteil will: stables, the culprits havo been sevorelj punished. Tho guessor or spieler is om of Hie greatest menace to clean sport. ce go The Totatisator. "t "Despite tho war and curtailmont ol racing tho volume of totalizator investn- ments will apparently show an increase '8 as compared with (he ]9lli-17 season, ny "Practically the only complaints made of by tho public under (his head havo been duo to insufficient accommodation pro\ided for both receiving and paying by ™ a few racing clubs. This increased acid commodatiou or convenience is a, matter n- which should engross ilio attention of clubs. '. of The Jockeys. n'. '"" le proposals before the conference j s under tnis heading at tho ensuing sitting will probably materially ni'orm the present system of licensing jockeys and C others if carried. Notwithstanding that i, quite a number of jockeys havo boen called to the colours during (lie season, |( j the list of licensed jockeys is again a ,j_ very lengthy one, and contains the names j of many who appear to bo in no way ' qualified to hold a license. Wo have pleasure in stating that generally tho 10 conduct of jockeys during tho season has 10 been good. The Public nnd Races, ik "Wc wish to reiterate our opinion that 5. it is essential in tho inlorests of good i- and efficient racing that no appointment ,■0 to positions ol' judgo or clerk of scales t, should be of an honorary nature. It 10 is obvious that as racing has now best ci.mc a huge business that so Car as pos- -- sible practical experts should bo employj- ed in the posts indicated. We think it is desirable that during the winter months h clubs should not include in their pro- }. grammo any event starting later than. 4 n p.m. This matter has been well brought r- home lo the public by tho curtailment, le and in some instances, total cessation of train services on race days. In spito of the difficulties encountered iu reaching race meetings by the public under , war conditions, attendance has been well maintained, which goes to show that vj racing, when properly conducted, iu- " duces many thousands of persons to en--2 joy a healthy outing." l " Against Too Many Sprint Events, ir Mr. W. F. M. Buckley (Canterbury) ir moved; "The programme of every meet•c ing .from September 1 to .Tune C, inclui- sive, shall include two flat races per i-' diem of not less than one mile. T.ho 11 programme of every meeting from Juno l- 7 to August 31, inclusive, shall includo 10 at least one maiden or hack steeplechase, c- and if such programme includes one or s. nioro flat races, tliore shall bo one flat :s race of not less than one milo and a y quarter." Mr. Buckley said that the oby ject. was to prevent programmes from c- being over-crowded with sprint events • aud giving tho opponents of racing an I- excuso for throwing mud at the sport. 11 The proposal was heavily defeated. ■e Acceptances by Talegraph. Mr. K W. Alison moved to validato , acceptances, etc., "where entries, accept- ." nnces, 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 placo advertised for receiving such en--0 tries, acceptances, and declaration of forls fails." Mr. Alison said that on the oc,o ensiou of the last Auckland Meeting ten r horses wero accepted for by telegraph, " but owing to tho wires being down the ji; messages did not reach Auckland iu [_ time. The amendment which he proposed was to overcome such a difficulty. .Mr. .1. R. L. Stanford seconded. Mr. 15. Goodbehere (Wanganui District * s Clubs) opposed tho motion. lio thought |] there was no need for things to be left o till the last moment. 3 Mr. Buckley and the president also t opposed the motion. Tho president said u that to guard against possible .fraud a ,s definite closing hour was needed. 0 The motion was lost. [ Bracketed Horses, a Tho following, moved by (ho president, ' L was lost; "As all horses in which tho 5 samo owner has any interest must bo 6 bracketed on tho totalizator, owners of 3 such horses shall give notico to tho soc- ® retary of tho club uol; later than tho J hour of acceptance or final payment, If notice is not so given the owners shall bo fined by the stewards in a sum of not less than 5 sovs., and not exceeding . 100 sovs.; and also shall bo liable for , f any loss occasioned directly or indirectj ly through omission to give such notico. 3 For tho purposes of this rulo a husband ! shall be deemed to have an interest in 5 any horse iu which his wife has an in- , terest." i 3 About Jockoys' Licenses. 1 The Hon. 0. Samuel movod; 'livery license issued by. a district committee shall, subject to suspension or cancellation entitio tho .person therein named . as trainor or jockey to train or rido (as . the case yiny be) during the term meni lioned in tho license." Tho mover said i that the question had arisen through the issuing by tho Tnranaki Club of a liccnse to a certain prominent jockey. Doubt existed for a while whether tha license issued ivius valid, a»d 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 (o mako tho position clear. . Tho motion was carried. Tho president moved the following as a new rule: "Any licensed trainer, jockey or apprentice jockey who has been disqualified or suspended for a period of six months or more must apply for a renewal of his license on tho expiration of the term of such disqualification or suspension." The motion was lost. At.the request of the stipendiary stewards the president then moved; "If any applicant for a license shall havo been disqualified or suspended for u period i of six months or more, the power lo grant such license slic.U lie reserved to a committee of tho conference." Subsequently the president adopted the following amendment suggested by the Hop. 10. W. Alison; "If an applicant for a license has, since the license was last granted to him, b»:n disqualified, or had his license cancelled, no licenso shall be granted to him except by tho conference, or the president, ami in such a caso tho coiumitioe shall have or may exercise all Hie powers of a district committee ir. respect of the application." The motion was lost. At the request of the Stipendiary Stew- j ards' Committee the president ino'-ed: In granting a license to an apprentice who has served hiii apprenticeshi|j in a racing stable where (rotting horses are also t.raiiled, the. District Committee shall satisfy itself that the applicant has had sufficient experience in riding to justify the grant of a license to such apprentice." Mr. W. I''. M. Buckley thought the rule unnecessary. Tho matter could be left to the District Committee. The proposal was nut adopted. The Crouch Seat. The crouch seat was tho subject of these two proposals for new rules;— From Duneuin; "That, tho crouch seat be forbidden in these races, and all riders to have their stirrups lengthened to (lie satisfaction of the slipendiaiy stewards." By the president; "ff tho stewards, or any person specially deputed by the stewards for the purpose, 'find that the stirTup leathers of any joekcy (by reason of their unduo shortness) render the jochey linable sufficiently to control his horse, without endangering himself and other jockoys or horses in tho race, tho 1 stewards, or person so deputed, may require, the stirrup leathers to bo length- : cued." : The second proposal was considered first and was defeated. | It was then proposed lo confine the ; mattei to riders in hurdle races , or ' steeplechases. This also was lost. | Questions of Dividends, It was resolved:—"lf no dividend win- ;

i.Y ning liekct is laktm on liio first hor.se nl the (1 ivi loud shall be paid on ilie seconi y, horse, only. .11' n» dividend winning tiekel li- is taken oil I lie .second lioi'm', the divi di (lend sliidl be paid on l.lie lirst horst ss unly." ro Taranalu proposed :--"If any ticket lie id purchased on a hor.-e which does nol "f weigh out or, between the 'iiiio ol id weighing out and the tinio of becoming c- uiHlt'i 1 I lie Mailer's orders, meets with an lo accident, or otherwise becomes imapa--31" citated from slurting, the stewards may 53 (subject to JJule 17, Part XXX), order t lie ?>' iiiuount liaid on Iho purchase of 1 lie 1' ticket to ho refunded on production and I.V delivery of the ticket. I'"or the purposes 10 of this rule, a horse shall l>e deemed to bo under the starter's orders fifteen minutes before the appointed starting time of tho particular race." The motion if was lost. t- The Minimum Weight. > e Dunedin's annual proposal to raise Ihe minimum weight from list. 71b. to 7st. was defeated. 11 111 ail borough's proposal to becomc at- -- tached to Wellington was defeated. 1" On the motion of 't'arnnaki it was resolved:—"District Coniniitteo" means a ir . committee consisting of the, chairman >1 and live members of tho committee of the metropolitan club to be elected liy the committee of the metropolitan club, :e and of five delegates to be elected by the t- totalisatov clubs in the metropolitan dise trict. Tho chairman of the committee d of tho metropolitan club shall be, ex .t officio, chairman of the District, C'onin. miltec. Five to form a quorum." i, On the suggestion of the Stipendiary a Stewards' Committee the president a moved:—"lf it be intended to run a y horse in shoes heavier than racing plates e the owner or trainer of such horse must o report tho fact to the. stewards prior s to weighing out." Tho motion was carried. A motion to alter the weighing-out limit from fifteen to twenty minutes be- (. fore a race was lost. ii Paid Officials on District Committees, t This proposal was lost:—"No person s who i 3 the paid official of any club shall ' bo eligible lor election as a delegate to tho District Committee." '■ Mr. Stanford (New Plymouth) moved that two-day meetings should be held t on consecutive days. The motion was 3 not seconded. '• On the motion of the presided, it was * resolved:—"Every club shall, during the ' month of August of each year, forward >. to the secretary of the lonference an * audited balaiice-shoet showing the rc--0 ceipts and expenditure of tho club dur- " ing tho previous year." '' The Stipendiary Stewards' Committee's J suggestion that district committees ba ' recommended by the conference not to ' pass any programme of a club which " allows its course to be used for motorcycle races or for training for such races was not adopted. Wauganui moved:—"That a special ) committee lie sot up to consider and report to tho conference on the advis- - ability of amending the present eonstir tution of the New Zealand Hating Cono forence." The motion was lost. g Tho president (at the request of tho o Stipendiary Stewards' Committee) moved: . ".Racecourse detectives shall bo appointed r by the N.Z. Racing Conference, or by t tho committee thereof nominated for that a purpose, and with such powers, and subject to such regulations as may from ! time to time be conferred or approved by s the conference." Tho motion was lost. " Sir George Clifford Re-elected President. The Hon. E. Mitchelson moved tho reelection of Sir George Clifford as president. Ho said that all wore indebted to Sir Georgo Glitl'ord i'or liis good work 0 in the interests of racing. The, Hon. 0. Samuel seconded the ' motion. Every year, ho said, increased 1 their appreciation of his great services 0 and of his exceptional qualifications for f tho position. Ho was a man universally B respected. Tho motion was carried amidst ap- " 'plause. Sir Georgo Clifford said that he would 1 not have been able to do the work but > for the excellent assistance of the sec--0 rotary (Mr. H. If. Sellers). 1 Tho conference passed a motion tliank- " ing the president for the zealous manner * in which lie had carried out his duties. Other Business. t It was reported that the following t clubs had been piven permission for a loss sum to 1m given in stakes than the j not amount derived from tho totalisator 1 in the season 1918-17:—Takapuna. Taut niarunui, Waipa, Opnnake, and Danlievirke. Tho Dales Committee's report was adopted. The Dales Com mil lee was ro-elecled:~ Messrs. li. W. Alison, W. E. Bidwill, ' K. Goodhehcre, P. Hunter, Jr. Lowry, ' and I'. Miller. ! .Mr. A. M'Kollar was reappointed auditor. Tho Hon. 0. Samuel was oleetod a ! trustee.