TO STOP RACING

Hokitika Guardian, 28 December 1931, Page 5

TO STOP RACING

agua caliente club WILL PHAR LAP GO?* (United Press Association. —By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) NEW YORE, Dec. 24. : A report from San Diego states that the Agua Caliente Jockey Club (at whose meeting Phar Lap was to race) announced to-day a suspension of operations, although Mr. James Crofton, president of the club,} e.vpvssed a hope that the track wonl'l be reopened after the now year. The indications are that the hand - cap for the hundred thousand dollar purse will not be run. The club is understood to have been in financial straits for some time and the suspension of operations was not entirely unexpected. HEAVY LOSSES.. The announcement stated that the club had lost a hundred thousand dollars in the past twenty-four days of racing. The attendances had been poor, and proved one of the factors in closing the open betting ring, which was inaugurated this year for the first time. OWNER SURPRISED, A report from San Francisco states that Mr ,1). J. Davis, owner of Phar Lap, interviewed, expressed surprise, and said that he was a little nonplussed by the news from Agua Caliente. He asked: “Can the club cancel the handicap since it accepted the nomination fee?” He intimated that he could not indicate his line of action without further considering the situation.

He said: “Our chief purpose in bringing Phar Lap to America was to race in the handicap. I cannot say whether we will do so if the stake is reduced. We possibly may cancel his passage if time permits. I will make immediate inquiries.” Mr Davis has departed for San Diego to consult the officials of the Agua Caliente Club before deciding his further plans regarding Phar Lap. RACE TO BE RUN. MR DAVIS SATISFIED. NEW YORK, Dec. 26. A San Diego message states: After a hurried conference with Mr Croiton, 'Mr Davis returned to San Francisco reassured concerning Phar Lap’s • trip to America. Mr Crofton said afterwards: “I assured him that we intended to re-open after January Ist, and that the Agua Caliente Handicap would ,l]e run._He..seAQmjcLjPUch rg,-. lived, and satisfied, after our conference.”