RACING LAW

Hokitika Guardian, 3 April 1929, Page 3

RACING LAW

RACE STARTED TOO SOON

THE AUCKLAND INCIDENT.

AUCKLAND, April 1

The starting of the Great Northern Champagne Stakes four minutes before the official time set out in the race card created a certain amount of confusion at the opening of the Auckland Racing Club’s Autumn Meeting at Ellerslie on Saturday, and has raised ah important issue in regard to the Rules of Racing.

There were six horses in the race, and, according to the entry on the judge’s sheet, the field was dispatched at 2.33 p.m. bv the official starter, Air C. O’Connor, whereas the stipulated time for the raising of the barrier was 2.37 p.m. When the race started the totalisator was working at full pressure, and the horses had gone a considerable distance before the windows were closed and further investments refused. It was only a general shout of “They’re Off” which came from the direction of the stands that told the hundreds of intending backers that the race had started. For some moments investments continued to be made, as totalistor officials were not aware of the start, and had received no instructions to close the machine. The time taken to run a six furlong race is usually about a minute and a quarter, and the horses were nearing the turn into the straight for the run home when instructions were issued to close the totalisator windows. This was done immediately, although many people had placed money on the machine while the race was in progress. There were general expressions of surprise among the large crowd which left the totalisator after it had closed to find that the race was over.

According to the official race card the totalisator should have closed at 2.35. In the ordinary course of event® there is always an .interval of two minutes between the time the totalisator closes and the time the race starts.

The procedure in the event of a race being started before time is laid down in Part XXIV., Clauses 4 and 5, of the Rules of Racing. These state: “A start in front of the starting post, or on the wrong course, or before the appointed time shall be void knd the horses shall be started again as soon as practicable. The starter’s decision shall be final, except in the ease of a start in front of the starting post, or on the wrong course, or before the appointed time.”

The early start was referred to Mr W. S. Spence, secretary of the club. He stated that no protest had been made to the stewards concerning the event, and it had not officially been brought l under the notice of these officials. Ten minutes were allowed for the lodging of a complaint, and, as none had been made, no action haa been taken. The race appeared to have been started early, but no protest having been made, no steps were taken.

Fortunately, no one suffered through the early, start, Mr Spence added. The result had not been affected in any way, and even if a mistake had occurred, it would have been common sense to leave the matter as it stood. The Rules of Racing did not sa> whether a complaint had to be lodged before action was taken by the officials but as it was nothing was done, as the stewards were not notified. In view of the provision in the rules concerning the re-running of a race starter before time, it seemed desirable that an altei ation should lie made. Mr Spence said he did not think it had ever been tlm intention of those who framed the rules that such high-class two-year-olds as contested the Champagne Stakes should bo made to run twice in the same afternoon as a penalty for an early start. This was a Very harsh proceeding for such horses, and some alteration oif the rules would obviously be desirable.