CONFERENCE JOTTINGS

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 716, 16 July 1929, Page 14

CONFERENCE JOTTINGS

NOTES AND COMMENTS SOUTHERN TRAINERS ACTIVE By ABAYDOS The handicapping argument, which has created much concern throughout the whole Dominion, has been tided over the first stage of difficulty, through the acceptance by the majority of delegates at the recent conference of the proposed system, with its maximum penalties, for a 12 months’ trial. Contrary to expectations, there was not much opposition to the scheme, and no doubt with a fair trial in the coming season, systematic or automatic handicapping will have fewer “objectionists” when it comes up for discussion next July. Better For All Concerned The smooth and successful passage of the Auckland Trotting Club’s remit, in which it was proposed to make it an offence for owners, trainers, or their agents to personally approach a handicapper, was proof positive that delegates assembled were perfectly satisfied that the officials holding such an important position, were entitled to some measure of protection. Any person with a grievance can, however, apply through the club for an explanation, which will undoubtedly prove a better remedial channel. Under the new clause, clubs will become an interested party where handicapping disputes arise, and the scheme should prove beneficial to all concerned. Credit Where Due At the trotting conference, Secretary J B. Norris, who had completed 25 years’ service with the organisation, was the recipient of two very fine presentations, a silver salver suitably engraved, and a well-filled purse. Mr. H. F. Nicoll, in asking Mr. Norris to accept the tokens of esteem and appreciation, said that every trotting club in the Dominion bad contributed to the gifts. Mr. John Rowe, of Auckland, spoke of his lengthy association with the secretary and handed out some very fine tributes to Mr. Norris on his great work* Well Satisfied The Forbury Park Trotting Club made another unsuccessful effort to convince the various representatives at the annual conference, that the Trotting Association should be abolished in favour of district committees. The proposal was “smacked to leg” with great force, and the clean-cut decision in favour of retaining the present system of administration was a tribute to the efficiency and ability j of those worthy men who comprise the j New Zealand Association. Down To Bedrock The conference has made an honest i endeavour to clear the atmosphere in ; i connection with the oft-recurring ques- j | tion of “change of drivers,” and the ! j rule dealing with the position was j ; certainly not observed by several clubs ! last season in the spirit of the law, i although , the ‘’permission of the stewards” clause gave a loophole for escape. The subject, when brought forward last week was argued from all angles, and finally it was decided that "a horse must be ridden or driven by the same horseman during the course of a meeting.” Should Do Better Mr. E. X. Lelievre has decided to keep Lou Lee in work, and she will in future be trained by J. R. Kennerley, Rangiora. She failed to get into the money when trained by J. J. Kennerley at Addington, but she showed a lot of pace in some of her races, only to feel the pinch over the last furlong. Lou Lee is by Lee Tide—Girl of the Fields, | by The Harvester.More Useful Ones With the fine team of horses he has ; in. his stable W. J. Tomkinson has every

reason to expect another good season. Each of the three horses he lias recently taken charge of —Wnh. Nelson McCormack and Wilma Dillon—look like getting on the winning lists when the new season is in progress. Praise for Free Advice Although Free Advice did not pace up to her best form at the back end of the season, she has not lost any of her supporters. The Blue Mountain King pacer has touched 4.29 1-5. and that does not appear to be the limit of her speed, says a Southern writer. In fact, one is fairly safe in saying that J. Bryce will eventually have her in Cup company. After Another Cup It is reported that Ahuriri is pot being kept to exacting tasks, but he is in good order to tackle the job in front of him to set up for the next New Zealand Cup. He is a great little stayer, one of the best seen in the Dominion, and the new cup conditions enhance his prospects of putting his name on the roll for the third time. It will be interesting to see if the two Cathedral Chimes colts which recently joined Bryce’s stable, can exhibit anything like the quality of Ahuriri and Kohara. Might Straighten Him Up Jock Bingen, a fair performer on Southland tracks, has joined up with J. Bryce's team at Hornby. He has a lot of pace, and Bryce may induce him to control it to some purpose. Jock Bingen is a seven-year-old square-gaited stallion by Nelson Bingen—Annie K. and in most of his races shows a tendency to leave his feet on the least provocation. Going Fast For Little Money During the season there were several horses who stepped phenomenal gaits on lightning tracks, consequently bringing their values as racing propositions down to zero, and one of these was Firelight, who went only 4-ssec outside of the time required to qualify for the New’ Zealand Cup. and the Matchlight pacer got only a minor place for that. In subsequent outings Firelight was unable to show anything like the dash he- displayed when he chased Vesuvius home at Addington. Increasing the Team Enrolment, by St. Swithin —Necessity, is the latest arrival at D. Withers’s stable. He is reported to be at least useful, which fact will be discovered by Withers before he has been long in his charge. “Drum” is getting a good string round him and next season should see the popular trainer-reinsman making a bold bid for the premiership. High-class Youngster Prince Pedro, a high-class three-year-old by Pedro Pronto —Alone, fell to the bid of W. J. Tomkinson at SO guineas at J. J. Kennerley’s dispersal sale recently. Prince Pedro is a handsome black gelding, who has already indicated that he can go fast, and he should prove a useful member of W. J. Tomkinson’s team. His sire, Pedro Pronto, a son of Don Pronto, won several good races for Jack Kennerley. Can Step on the Gas Wilma Dillon has stepped some fine mile races, and W. J. Tomkinson should get good wins with him next season. He will, no doubt, try the John Dillon gelding out over more ground, and he should prove equal to the tasks. That he can go quick in saddle "Wilma Dillon demonstrated at Gore, where he tramped a mile in 2.13 2-5 from a 2.1 S peg.