MUCH UNREST

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 229, 16 December 1927, Page 6

MUCH UNREST

DOINGS IN RACING IS THERE DISHONEST RIDING? ("Special to THE SUN.) WELLINGTON, Thursday. Some sections of racing folk are Perturbed again respecting doings on the courses in this part of the North Island. There is talk of owners pulling out of the game and talk of the stipendiary stewards being unable to do anj thing to rectify matters because of the want of support on the part of the amateur stewards. A few weeks back there was a case of very curious running on one of the country courses and a little later it was suggested that an owner of a_ horse concerned in the race was considering whether he would retire or remain an active patron of the sport. He has not yet retired as far as is known, but it is understood that he has not yet definitely made up his mind what to do about the matter. DISGUSTED OWNER Now comes a report from Hawke’s Bay that a well-known owner who has been resident in that province many years and has taken much interest in racing has got the notion that all is not well and is pulling out till things are placed on a better footing. The name is not stated, but it is reported that he unburdened himself to a pressman in terms which suggest that he thinks he has been the football in the game. Just how far some of these impressions that racing folk gather are justified always is hard to say. One cannot be otherwise than very doubtful that everything is in order. Eyesight alone is enough to convince one of that. There seems to have been a good deal of dissatisfaction over the running of a certain horse at the Woodville meeting, and all the scribes who were there are hinting that this particular equine will do better at one of the big meetings during the coming DecemberJanuary orgy of racing. If a horse can win at one of the big fixtures he certainly should have been able to make a brave showing at Woodville. So far nothing seems to have been done officially in this case, but perhaps there is yet time —that is, if there is anything in the stories that are afloat. “BLAME THE JOCKEY” Of course, as is always the case when things get a bit this way, stories are not infrequent of jockeys doing these things on their own account, or of riders working in collusion without outside influences. That is the way of the world. Blame the jockey has been the big idea for a long wh\: —for a time longer than most of those who go racing to-day can remember. Generally the most experienced racing men will tell you, when a jockey does anything of the kind that is being suggested at the present time, he is not doing it entirely on his own. Probably he is acting on instructions. There are not many riders who would deliberately disregard the interests and the instructions of the people they ride for.

Usually the talk of outside influences being brought to bear can be thrust aside as unworthy of consideration. It might not be the case this time, and it is doubtful if investigation would settle the point. It all amounts to this, however, that things are in a state of unrest, and we are back to the days of the suggestions of the existence of a jockeys’ ring and of team riding. The contention was ridiculed a few years ago and after being exploited for a while was dropped and nothing has been heard of it till recent weeks, when the idea is being expressed fairly freely. Tt is to bo hoped that it will not have to be kept alive long and that events will justify tlio dropping of it. It will not matter even if it is ridiculed so long as there is excellent reason and good ground for doing so. But if there are good grounds for the contention the governors of racing will have to move quickly and fearlessly or the sport is going to suffer. MUST HAVE SUPPORT

That there are riders whose handling of horses is difficult to understand is certain. Whether these troubles are the result of dishonesty, carelessness, ill luck or incompetence is for the authorities to discover. And \Yhen the expert stipendiaries have made the discovery, it is for the amateur stewards to support them right up to the limits of possibility. In the past the experts have had too little support.

It is not much use worrying whether a rider is dishonest or incompetent or careless. Whichever he is, he can be dispensed with. As to the jockey who is pursued by ill-fortune—well, when Ins horses are unlucky frequently when they should run prominently, he is lucky, not unlucky, %o be kept in employment.

Let us hope that any of the suggestions that are being made against riders are without foundation, and that matters will right themselves in due course. But the public are talking, and action might be at hand. REMINDERS Manawatu acceptances are due on Friday. December 16. Marton handicaps are due on Friday next, and first day acceptances close on Tuesday, December 20. Taranaki acceptances close on Friday, December 16. Acceptances for Stratford are due on December 22. Acceptances for the following events at the Auckland summer meeting Auckland Cup, Railway. Robinson. Grafton Hurdles, Nursery and Christmas Handicaps—also final payments for the Queen’s Plate. Great Northern Foal Stakes. Great Northern Derby and Roya] Stakes, are due at 5 p.m. on Friday December 16. Nominations will close for the Wellington Racing Club’s summer meeting >on January 9. Nominations for the Takapuna Jockey Club’s summer meeting are due to close on Friday, January 6. at ft p.m. MEETINGS TO COME December 17—Waipa R.C. December 26, 27—Dunedin J.C. December 26—Waipukurau J.C. December 26, 27 —Westland R C December 26, 27—Taranaki J.C December 26. 27, 29—-Manawatu R.C. December 26, 28. January 2, S—Auckland December 30, 31, January 2—Greymouth December 31, January 2 —Wairarapa R.C. January 2—Waikouaiti R.C. January 2—Wyndham R.C. January 2, 3—Hawke’s Bay J.C. January 2, 3—Stratford R.C. January 2, 3-*-Marton J.C. January 3, 4—Southand R.C. January 6, 7—Reefton J.C. January 7. 9—Vincent J.C.

An Improved Sort A. McMillan has a solid team in work this season and there is every prospect that he will have a good year. Two winners in Scandal and Jo3 r Bird have already been returned and both should add further to the stable success. Scandal won at Alexandra Park last month in saddle, but will try his luck in harness next time. He can go right in either style.

Master Councillor, who, during the last few seasons has had a pretty strenuous time, looks quite fresh again as a result of the spell from activities recently. Under Bill Clifton's care the old chap is quite perky again and will be ready for the races toward the end of the month. From the front of a mile and a-half heat the Councillor gelding should make things interesting. Turn Not Far Away Tony Victor is one that should break it soon for a win and it looks as if he will make an effort to capture a freelegged race. In his last start at Epsom he was not going kindly in the early stages, but was putting in telling work at the six-furlong peg, after which he struck trouble. At Claudelands, with the straps on, the Mangeretrained pacer went a good racq and gave Daytime something to do to head him oft’. Worth Keeping in View

Peter Grattan, while beaten out of a place at Claudelands, put up a very creditable performance, being topped off by a very narrow margin by Joy Bird for third money. Peter’s time, like those in front of him, was pretty good, and lie may do a lot better next outing. At the approaching fixture the Peter Moko horse is engaged in unlioppled races, and if he can reproduce his recent form will be worth making a note of.

Hope for Dad's Hope The manner in which Dad’s Hope finished up his task in the 10-furlong flutter at th© Northland fixture suggests that he is coming right. Since the race he has gone on the correct way and W. Clifton is sparing no pains to have the Australian pacer dressed in his very best for Christmas. There is hope for the connections of Dad’s Hope receiving a Christmas box.

Luvan again figures among the list of acceptances for Auckland, claiming an engagement in a 10furlong heat off the front. If the daughter of Lulu Boy was at her best on the day, there would not be much of the spoil left for the others, but unless Julian's candidate mends her wilful ways, there will not be any plums in the pudding this Yuletide. Consistent Performer The roan gelding Mulwaree promises to be a competitor again at Alexandra Park in another mile and a-quarter effort, and if he improves just a little on his two previous essays will say good-day to the judge. At the October fixture Dyer’s pacer finished a good third behind Direct Morning and Lord Nepean, and last month the roan beat all in th© farewell heat, except Padlock. So by process of evolution he should move up higher next trip out.

A Cheeky Customer An ancient chap is Pitaroa, but he is at present one of the cheekiest on the local track. The little Petereta fellow has stood up to his work well and when anything hops alongside on exercising day, Johnston’s pacer takes them on in good style. He has been in the game a long time and knows everything connected with the business, including how to bob up quietly when considered a back number.

Will Want to Improve Gold Jacket is sprinting well again, but so far this season the two-mile * U £^ eys appear to &et to the bottom of him. At the spring fixture at Alexandra Park, the son of Gold Bell had every show in a two-mile heat, but succumbed to William the Great at the finish. Since then h e has failed twice over a similar journey, and will require to do much better if he wishes to head off Great Actress, King Pointer and Company. A Shorter Course

Bxack Lila lightened up a bit after racing at the Otahuhu fixL? mon th, when she ran two TPwii ta o e - seconds to the improved A short respite soon and So I 1 b l ack mare right again, i s as f resh as paint. On the opening day of the Christmas fixture

Phipps’s pacer will not be as exert herself over a distance, d tackle the opposition in a flutter. And those engaged wiu Black Lila is there, too. Coming Back Everyone will be pleased to that the one-time Auckland merchant, First Carbine, has stood the test of a preparation Christmas meeting. Newdic* been most painstaking to the bine horse and a good M work has had a beneficial eu the last Epsom fixture First v j. showed a flash of his torni ancy, and if he has come o a sho-rt race will soon be in n