Racing Conference Opens in Wellington

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1021, 11 July 1930, Page 1

Racing Conference Opens in Wellington

UNRULY HORSES

STEWARDS’ REPORT

Special to TBE SUN WELLINGTON* Today. The annual meeting of the New Zealand Racing Conference opened at Wellington today, Mr. O. S. Watkins, vice-president, presiding. Delegates were present from all parts of the Dominion. In opening proceedings the chairman made feeling reference to the death of the late Sir George Clifford, for 34 years president of the conference, and also to the passing of the late Sir Joseph "Ward. The report, of the chairman of the stipendiary stewards was submitted as follows: The management and control of race meetings have been very good, and it continued on the same high level leaves little to be desired. The rule relating to unruly, horses at the starting barrier does not receive from the starters the attention it merits. Too frequently starts have been delayed unduly, and the chances of other competing horses interfered with by the non-compliance of starters with part XXIV., rule 6, directing that any horse likely, by misbehaviour, to prevent a fair start, shall be placed in the rear of the field. In some instances it has been apparent that starting barriers have not been as efficient as they should bo, and on occasions have been slow to act. This required attention from club committees, more especially where storting points have been widened. With reference to weighing machines of a standard nature, wenote that very little improvement has been effected during the past year. ERRORS IN RACE CARDS The compilation of race cards still shows laxity, and at times occasionally names of competitors do not appear in the cards, and notices rectifying the error have to be exhibited on the totalisator and elsewhere. We are pleased to stato that clubs still continue to improve their courses and appointments, a fact much appreciated by the public. Some time back stipendiary stewards were requested to furnish individual reports as to the cause in their opinion, of frequent falls in flat races. These reports are in the hands of the executive, and probably will engage attention from the Conference. , „ The conduct of the majority of trainers and jockeys has been satisfactory, but we regret to say there have been sundry cases of bad misconduct. Efficient control of jockeys' rooms remains lax. In many instances persons in charge of these rooms appear to have only the most hazy notions as to their duties. The conditions imposed by rule 5 part XV.. as to nomination and acceptance. for horses are. we regret to say. not carried out by some clubs as they should be and cases have occurred lately wlieie horses have been started and won a stake which should have been ineligible lo start, and whose names should have appeared In the forfeit list. REMISSION refused

XV J Burnett, of Auckland, applied for the raising of three years’ disqualification imposed as a result of tiie Dress Circle case at Rotorua, two and a-lialf years ago. The application was refused. Jjr. C. C. Murphy, of Auckland, also applied for the remission of the remainder of the five years’ disqualification imposed 18 months ago, but the application was also refused.