Notes.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 3499, 21 March 1905, Page 3

Notes.

By “ Chivalry.” The Nelson Cup will be run tomorrow. ~ Jenkins had another two wins on Saturday, making seven for the meeting. Charlie’s banking account must be swelling. The connections of Lock Tay are reported to have had a good win over that nag’# victory in the Welter on Saturday. The Seer wa* again placed second and third in the two event# the bay contested on Saturday. Consistency deserves snccess, and wa hope to hear of Atlas White being rewarded shortly. Speaking of Sir Gerant, who easily defeated Furneaux at Levin on Saturday, reminds me once again ot the game of chance speculating in horseflesh is. By Sir Lancelot out of Link, this neddy cost but /30 at the sale of Karamu bloodstock twelve months ago. Sir Gerant is likely to prove a lucky purchase, and a* he is in the capable hands of Alf. Shearsby, Messrs Jewell and Munro should be rewarded for their enterprise. We wish the Palmerston North owners every success. Complaints are often heard about the management of country racemeetings—either as to kronk riding on the part of horsemen, inefficient steward management, or such like. The latest uproar comes over the Levin meeting, where the decisions of the judge, Mr Hugh Gillies, received much unfavourable comment at the “ mercy " of the public in at least two of the events on the programme. Peronally, I am firmly of the opinion

that no person is in a better position than the man in the box to decide a close finish. Therefore, his decision should not be questioned. But it is, and always will be, until the Racing Conference take the ■matter up and compel all .clubs to accept the judges they (the conference) prefer to appoint them—paid officials, whose decisions shall be honoured. At present this is unfortunately not the case. A one-eyed and biased public arc always only too willing to show their disapproval ofthe judge’s Vl' l 'dict ''.'hen finishes come to a matter of inches, *he decisions happen it' be qmcn in nivcnT of norses owned by officials ui the chib, 01

••club" horses, as an unjust public prefer to “ dub ’’ them. The case of the Levin meeting is not singular. Complaints are often heard fi'drri Other clubs—even from Metropolitan Club meetings. I am led to believe that an aggrieved trainer, who firmly believes'one of hjs charges was placed second on Saturday instead of first, has intimated that he will advise his patrons not to give further support to the Horowhenua Club. This is a serious matter if it be true, and racing clubs should make a note of it, and, for the time ' being, endeavour to manage their affairs Satisfactorily _ to the taste of the unbiased sporting public and owner. Other complaints, apart from those of the judging, are heard, which all goes to show that Racing Conference appointees should be present at every race-meeting held under their rules. I know full well the sporting public voice my sentiments when I hope the day is not far distant that the Racing Conference will see fit to appoint their 1 own judges and also to appoint travelling representatives, one of whom would be present at each race meeting, and report to the conference, if needs be, on any misconduct on the part of horsemen or mismanagement on the part of racing club officials. Such a course would certainly tend to further popularise racing, and one would hear less dissatisfaction expressed on all sides of continual mismanagement oil the part of country clubs.