RACING CONTROL

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 250, 16 July 1920, Page 8

RACING CONTROL

ANNUAL CONFERENCE OF CLUBS

A RECORD YEAR INCREASING POPULARITY OF THE SPORT The annual conference of representatives of the New Zealand jockey clubs w;ts openod yesterday morning in the Dominion Farmers' Institute under the presidency of Sir George Clifford. There was a full attendance of delegates.

Presidential Address. In his annual address, the president pointed out in connection with officials that the conference was indebted for thei;- services to Messrs. W. E. Bidwill, E. A. Campbell, George Hunter, M.P., C. I'. Slic-rrett, K.C., and 0. S. Watkins. Since the institution of the appellate tribunal the fairness of its judgments had been unquestioned, while its speedy and permanent settlement of differences had' been of material advantage to (he welfare of tho turf. "The reaction from war-strain," continued the president, "has given an impetus. to all healthy outdoor sports, in which racing has fully participated, tho past year having been, in every way, a record one. Increased attendances on our courses, additional turnover in the totalisator, and fields of sometimes inconvenient. dimensions, are clear evidence of the growth of public interest. As any institution thus suddenly expands now problems arise, and some modifications of previous arrangements and regulations aro needed. It is our part to watch this progress of our sport, and to endeavour, under altering conditions, to so guide it as to ensure for it. the fullest obtainable measure of popular confidence. Absence of any seriou9 criticism of the past administration of this conference, and tho nature of its representative constitution, ' sufficiently guarantee our impartiality in the oecution of the duties entrusted to us,"

Accident Fund. Tho president said that the acident fund constituted a department itself, a result of which for administrative economy could challenge all possible comparison. Its allowances were tar in excess of the statutory provisions of Hie 'Workers' Compensation Act, and criticisms to tho opposite effect were indeed wide of the mark. The general trustees were now asking for rather wider powers in order to remove any possible doubt of tho legality of somewhat generous views hitherto taken by them of the scope of the fund. Ifardships might result from negligence in payment by owners of the qualifying fee, carelessness which might cause loss aliks owner and employee. 'In piaco himself in absolute security, every owner should pay one fee for the ensuing season prior to August 1, or as Boon as lie put a horse into training. Secretaries of clubs should ascertain that fees had been paid on every stoiter, as no horse with unpaid accident feu vas eligible, to compete, and laxity in this detail might laed to serious complications in regard to stakes and totalisatoidividends, for which clubs might ' find themselves doubly liable.

There was no excuse for non-provision of ambulance And medical facilities upon racecourses. Clubs could combine at moderate cost for supplying the requisite equipment. The adoption of a uniform race card had been suggested, and if an acceptable form could bo devised it would be a boon to ail concerned. One would be submitted to the conference, which it was hoped might lead to tho acceptance of the idea. The electric totalisator, when established on tho principal racecourses, would assure adherence to the advertised starting times imder all but very exceptional circumstances. Even with the older machine clubs would be well advised to allow no consideration of increased investments to dekv tho start of races. Volumo VII of tho N.Z. Stud Book was to be published earlv next year. Breeders should bo careful to return foalings promptly and correctly. Owners of brood mares that were eligible for entry were earnestly requested to have their mares recorded, as failure to do so caused untold trouble.

Various Matters Considered. The statement of receipts and expenditure was adopted. Tho matter of the well-known "Entente Coixliale" case was mentioned. Interested parties wrote asking tho conference to reopen the matter and remove it to the Supreme Court, but the Bupgestion was not accepted after a iery brief discussion.

The president submitted a report giving the reasons why the Opunake, Marton'and Canterbury Jockey Clubs were granted permission for a less Bum to bo given in stakes -than the net amount derived by 6ucli clubs from tlie nso of the totalisntor during tlio previous years.—The report was -unanimously adopted.

Stipendiary Stewards' Report, Tho report of the stipendiary stewards Oil racing generally for the 1019-20 racing year mentioned that the control and management of meetings during the season now about to close had, in the majority of cases, shown decided improvement, more especially with regard to tho supervision of tho birdcage and paddock and control of the jockeys rooms. Ambulance and lirsl-aid appliances were still inadequate on many racecourses. .Efforts should bo mside by country clubs to combine and obtain tho use of proper nmbulanco appliances and attendants for their meetings, , In some instances a medical man was not availablo at meetings: this was a matter tiiat should receive attention from all Taring clubs. No decided stop had yet been taken to adopt a uniform style of starting gate. Somo of the barriers in use were obsolete. . In tho committee's opinion ' all cords or tapes used in a starting gate should lie of an easily breakable material. Unnecessary delay was still caused by unruly horses at the starting post. Starters should be compelled to carry out strictly the provisions of rule 0, part XXV, of the Rules of Racing. Seeing that, clubs still persisted in accepting the entry of horses known to be vicious and nnruly at the starting post, the conference should tako steps to remove this blot oil the conduct of racing. Adequato accommodation for tho public was still a very urgent need on many of tho racecourses in the Dominion, and it was to bo hoped that clubs would take tho necessary steps to provide the improve- I ments and enlargements so manifestly needed at the earliest .possible moment. A pood standard of - racing had been maintained during the season just past. Class generally had improved, more especially with regard to jumping horses. Fields had been largo during the year, in many handicap evonts, so mucli so that in some cases it had been nccoswry to run events in two divisions. It was hoped that tho proposed rule dealing with this matter on tho order paper for the ensuing meeting of tho conference would be given effect to. Many of the courses were not suitable for iarge fields, and it was not a desirahlo tiling to run fields of more than twenty-five on any course. Very few serious and no fatal accidents to ridel's occurred during the past year. Interference of an intentional nature had not been strongly in evidence, but pome of tho rough riding or bumping witnessed had been duo to incompetency or carelessness on the part of the riders concerned—the former predominating. Attendance of the public at most meetings throughout the Dominion had been phenomenal and the popularity of tho sport still increased in a remarkable manner.

_ Tho rojjort also stated: "The list of licoiißExl jockeys still contains the names of many_ who arc in no way qualified to hold a jockey's licenso; ft large number of thorn pet few, if any, mounts. The conduct of most of tho jockeys who havo como under our notice lifts been ouite satisfactory, but there are others whose conduct liotli on and off the racecourse wn cannot consider satisfactory. The jxisi tions of judge and clerk of wales remain in many instances of an honorary nature. Wc cannot too strong' urge upon tho conference tho desirability-of insisting that Hie prats in question be ftU"d with paid officials." Tho report was received, and the following wore appointed the Stipendiary Stewards' Committee: Sir George Clif-

ford, Hon. E. Mitchelson, Hon. 0. Samuel, M.L.C., Messrs. AV. E. Bidwill. E. A. Campbell, P. Miller and 0. S. Watkins.

Dates' Committee. The Dates' Committee, in its report, Mated that tho Stipendiary Stew iraa' Committee had brought under Hs notico the fo.lowing list of clubs haviag racecourses not completely railed on the inprno of the racing track :-Tolaga Bay, Hororata, Choviot, Beaumont, Lake Comity, Tuapeka, Vincent, Opotiki,' Opunake, Kawakawa. Tho Dates' Committee accordingly recommended that tho clubs having racecourses not completely railed on tho inside of the racing tract bo notified that unless the inside railing was completed to tho satisfaction of the president by next year their licenses might bo withdrawn. Tho report also pointed out that applications for additional or new totalisator licenses could not be granted, as there were no totalisator licenses or days of racing available. , Touching objections to dates, the commit- [ too recommended "that tho timo for lodging objections to dates be fixed at not later than July 1 in each year, and that when an objection is made it shall be forwarded' by the objecting club to tfcp club objected to, and to the district committee -as well as to tho secretary of the conference. It is also recommended that, in tho event of any clubs in tho same district applying for dates which clash, the district committee approve the (fetes which in their opinion should be allotted."

The committee recommended that certificates of registration be granted to the following clubsMorrinsvillo Racing Club, Waimarino Racing Club, Cambridge Polo Club. Lumeden Hack Racing Club, Oinarama Racing Club.

Registration Cancelled. It was further recommended tliat tlio certificates of registration of the followiiff clubs be Cancelled, there hoing- no record of their having held meetings during the preceding four years:—Alford Forest Racing Club, Geraldine Hunt Club, Pino Bush Hack Racing Club, Inter-AVanganui' Racing Club, Petano Racing Club, Whakataki Hack Racing Club; also that the following clubs having held race meetings during the current wason, and not complied with the provisions of Part XXIII, Rule 13, tho district committee he instructed 1 not to approve of any further programmes until tly provisions of the rule had been complied with:—Whatawhata Racing Club, Bengerburn Jockey Club, 1916-17. The report was adopted, and the present committee was reappointed to hold office for the ensuing year.

Amendments to Rules. Bearing on the interpretation of "winning," I'arfc 1, Kule 1, wis amended so as to include 'doad-lieat for first place." The following addition was made to Part 2 of Rule 7:—'"Any club having committed a breach of any rule or, special resolution or regulation made or passed by tho conference at any meeting of the conference, shall be liable, on a repetition of such breach, to have its certificate of registration cancelled by the conference."

Jockeys Requests. At the request of a deputation of joekeys the president moved: "That the programme of every meeting at. which the totalieator is used shall include not less than one steeplechase or hurdle race or jumpers' flat race on each day unless otherwise authorised in writing .by the president." Tho president explained that the obcct was to give some employment to steeplechase jockeys who did not get an adequate living throughout the year. . After some discussion it was 'decided to make the following new rule 6a:—"Tho programme of. every meeting at. which the totalisator is to be used shall, unless the president otherwise in writing authorises, include (a) on each day at least one steeplechase or hurdle race or a jumpers' flat race (that is to say, a flat race confined to horses and jockeys who have at time of entry completed threo times a steeplechase or hurdle race); (b) if the meeting extends over two or more days, at least one raco (not being- a maiden race or a race for two-year-olds, or a race for, a less distance thjm 6ix i furlongs) in which only apprentice jockovs shall be eligible to ride." _ • At tho request of the jockeys, the president also moved: "That nt no race meetinjt from May 7 to August 31 inclusive shall the last raco of the day bo fixed for a later hour than four o'clock."

Tho president explained that the jockeys wore moving in the matter because of the danger, which sometimes occurred. of running races in the dark. The remit was adopted after the time had been altered to 4.15 p.m. "A Principal Event." After considerable discussion the following new rule (Gb) was adopted"The programme of every meeting, whether the totalisator is to be used or not, Bhall include:—(a) At least one flat race of not less than ono mile 'and a quarter, such race to be one of the principal events on the programme; (b) if tlio meeting is to be held on any day from May 7 to Aupu si 31 inclusive, at least one maiden or hack and hunters' steeplechase, but shall not include more than one race on each day of a loss distance than six furlongs for horses threo years old and upwards." Tho conference 6at till 8 o'clock, and then adjourned till this morning.