RACING.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VII, Issue 587, 23 July 1913, Page 2

RACING.

I Business at the Racing Conference ■ on Friday was chiefly confined to addi- j tions and alterations to rules. The i term of a jockey's apprenticeship was ! extended from two to three years, and ; in the event of illness during tha term j the pariod of absence ia to be added to j the term. It was decided that all i apprentices' riding fees be paid to the conference secretary, who shall distribute the proportions provided in the agreement. An employer or apprentice committing a breach of tha rules may be disqualiiied. It shall be permissable to grant a riding license atfera year's apprenticeship. On the motion of Sir Geo. Clifford, it wa? decided to restrict the attendants upon a horsa at the post to the jockey or starter's assistant, except by permission of the stewards. Another alteration makes the do cision of the stewards not subject to appeal regarding—short weight, cro39 or jostle, start in front of the post or before time, obvious pull. The rule relating to disqualification oE horses is brought into line with the Australian rules of racing, and gives the stewards power to place a disqualified horse immediately behind the interfered horse, except when the interfared horse, in the stewards' opinion, lost the chance of a place. A new rule relating to the age of horses was passed. The amended age will now date from August Ist of the year in which the horse was foaled. It was decided to adopt the rules for stipendiary stewards as drawn by the Stipendiary Committee. A Wellington proposal for the temporary disqualification of horses insufficently schooled at the starting gate was discussed at great length, but was deferred until next conference. ♦ Sir Geo. Clifford was re-elected president. Coronetted, who was well fancied for the Winter Hurdles on the first day of the Wellington meeting, and whc failed to show up prominently, mads a big big for victory in the hurdle race on Saturday. When leading at the last hurdle Coronetted fell and extinguished what looked like a certainty. The Native's win in the July Steeplechase on Saturday indicates that this equine is becoming seasoned to cross-country work. Probably a shorter course than the Nationals will suit The Native best. Haskayne's win in the Winter Oats at the Wellington meeting is somewhat like the form displayed by the I same horse at the Ellerslie meeting. After failing the first day the registered a good win on the concluding day of the meeting. This horse has shown consistently good form in mile races, and should render a good account of himself if started in the Winter Cup at Christchurch. A deputation of represeniatives of country racing clubs waited on Mr Massey, Premier, on Saturday, and urged that the permits taken away from country clubs should be restored. Mr replying, said that there was no reason why members should not be given an opportunity of voting this season on one of the private bills to be brought before the House amending the Gaming Act. Replying to a further request that, the 2i per cent, taxation should be levied only on profits made by clubs, instead of gross receipts, Mr Massey said he did not think there was any chance of any amending legislation, at any rate this session.