DOUBLE-FIGURE WINNER

NZ Truth, Issue 1143, 27 October 1927, Page 9

DOUBLE-FIGURE WINNER

Big Surprise In Stipendiary Stewards' Handicap

The race for the Stipendiary Stewards' Handicap, of .650 soys., any distance, has been run.

j/"»ONSID:ERING the miserable stake \s offered, there was a big field of runners, but as it was a post entry the names were not included m the race-card. The race did not create a great < deal of interest — not nearly so much as the appearance of Limerick at Trentham. Still, there was a little ante-post wagering, and m certain quarters one of the runners was at a short price — a gold clock to a packet of cigarettes, :n some places. But there was a surprise m store. The race was not run m public — it was a private trial— but after much jostling and bumping the ultimate winner was sorted out. He turned out to be a little-fancied candidate m B. N. Sandilands, who hails from Feilding. No doubt he has the necessary credentials for the job; at any rate, it is a fact that he is president of the Jockey Club m that town. He has also, according to the biographers, taken a fancy to horses ever since he could walk, and further he has acted as a deputy "stipe" during rush periods. Being a president, of course, is some recommendation, but the principal job for a president is to entertain visitors — not doubts about the running. Having always had a fancy for horses is all very nice, out "N.Z. Truth" knows quite a number of people who fancy horses, but who know nothing about the ins and outs of racing.

The fact of having acted aa a deputy etipe is consoling, and perhaps heartening, but when down at bedrock it is peculiar that most of the fun takes place at the small meetings at holiday times when deputies are acting.

Jockeys and trainers refuse to believe that there is any official present on those occasions! .

otfll< Sandilands has been appointed and it is the Conference's pigeon.

When giving out the appointment no mention was made of who was to be chief stipe. There is a rumor going the rounds that no such appointment is to be made — that all are to be on the same level. More economy — saving a couple of hundred a year. The whole system has always been a joke, but now, what with cuts m salary and the absence of any support, it is becoming tragic. At his. farewell last week it was almost pathetic to listen to the late chief, i McMahon, appeal to a representative racing gathering for more power for stipes. He was talking from the bottom of his heart and talking on a subject that must have caused him much worry, which later turned to disgust. His was as though a voice from the wilderness. At times he must have thought very harshly of the gathering which was lauding and applauding him. For m that room were there not men who had some finger-^-be it big or ml — m bringing about his departure? It is said that it is a long lane that has no turning, but the stipendiary stewards have been trekking down that avenue for many years now and they are no nearer their goal than when they started. A SPEEDY FILLY WHEN Dick Hannon's two-year-old, Katarena, came with a great rush on the outside on Saturday last, quite a number of people thought} she had won. As a matter of fact, she had not. The judge was right m placing her third. The daughter of King Lupin might have won both days had she not run I out wide at the turn.

She has speed to spare and the Waikato owner- trainer appears to be m for a good time later on with this chestnut.