SPORTING.

Taranaki Daily News, 12 July 1922, Page 3

SPORTING.

TROTTING CONFERENCE. OPENING PROCEEDINGS. By Telegraph.—Press Association. ' ■Wellington, July 11. The Trotting Conference opened to-day. Mr. John Rowe (Auckland) presiding delivered an Interesting address. The balance-sheet was adopted without discussion. The views of the Canterbury Owners and Breeders’ Association on the question of losing fees for drivers and riders, and the yard system of starting was placed before the conference, which suggested the association should get some club to take up its views and present them In the form of remits; this would be more expeditious. A proposal to run races with big fields in heats was referred to the executive. Mr. Lowe moved to adopt a common rule in regard to the appointment of stipendiary stewards and racecourse inspectors, and the establishment, of a stipendiary stewards’ committee. The Racing Conference adopted a similar rule last year. The conference amended two sub-clauses to limit the powers of racecourse inspectors to investigating matters which gave reasonable grounds of suspicion of corrupt practices, and to make any action by the stewards’ committee optional and not mandatory. PRESIDENT’S ADDRESS. The president In his address referred, to the expectations of increased permits, but as the report of the Commission was thrown out, the allocations were unaltered. It was probable that the promised revision of railway charges will result in a considerable reduction of existing rates. Many clubs with a falling revenue find it difficult to provide the stakes based on the previous year’s net totalisator revenue, and pay the heavy taxation levied by the Crown. In view of the anomaly created in the

“Land and Income Tax Act, 1916,” the question has been considered of obtaining legislation for the exemption nf racing and trotting clubs from the provisions of the Act. The great advance made in trotting had naturally increased the number of nominations, until some of the fields seen out were much too large. It was possible that in the near future it might be necessary to seriously discuss remedial measures, such as the introduction of classic or divisional racing. The former system presents no debateable difficulties, and might be given a trial in a few of our high-class events; but under the existing gaming laws division racing would scarcely be acceptable, Inasmuch as the Crown law officers have recently declared that each division contest would constitute a race.

Division racing might obviate matters, provided the gaming laws were amended, and It is understood steps are being taken in this direction.

As to the suggestion that owners should not sit upon judicial committees, as their presence was not fair to themselves or to those coming tinder their judicial notice, he recommended that, when possible, this attitude be adopted by clubs. An amendment of the Public Reserves and Domains Act now enables clubs to expel undesirable persons. The reports submitted by stipendiary stewards denote that ‘on the whole the general conduct of licensed trainers, drivers and riders has been exceptionally good. The appointment of competent timekeepers was absolutely essential; but some clubs have not been too careful in making their selections.

Reference was made to the question of the dates of meetings. At present each Individual club selected the date which it considered best suited local conditions without reference to how it will affect the sport. The time has arrived when both the individual clubs and the dates committee will require to take the matter seriously in hand. It is utterly absurd that two meetings, particularly in the North Island, should take place so close to one another, that it is not possible for any owner in either Island to compete at both. He recommended all clubs when considering dates for next year’s fixtures, to keep this in view and make a. strenuous effort, to apply for dates on the lines of his suggestion. Should they fail to do so, it will be up to the dates committee to take action. TARANAKI JOCKEY CLUB. The committee of the Taranaki Jockey Club met last night. Present: Messrs. W. C. Weston (chairman), G. Fraser, O. W. Sole, F. Orbell, L. B. Webster, A. R. Standish, W. T. Hookham, and B. H. Chaney. Apologies were received from Messrs. L. A. Nolan and W. P. Nicoll. Notice of motion for the annual meeting was given of a proposal to alter the rule regarding the appointment, of the auditor. The club’s solicitors were instructed to incorporate the club under the Unclassified Societies Act. The North Taranaki Hunt Club was granted the use of the racecourse and appointments for its meeting in September. The secretary reported that the filling work on the course by day labor had been completed, the whole of the gulb’ near the seven furlong post being completely filled in. This will enable the new course to be formed when required. turf top|cs » I— ~ ’(By •‘Moturoa.*’) Wellington races to-day. Royal Box is worth watching. Master Strowan was “a skinner” for “the books.” The Fordell-trained Para appears to be a false alarm. Lady Ridicule and Complimentary read well In the Maiden to-day. Wangle won nicely on Saturday, and the “price” hit the layers very hard. Percy Johnston still holds the record with three firsts in the Wellington Steeplechase. Volo ran a great race in the Trentham Hurdles, finishing fourth. He will do better shortly. As anticipated, Seadown and Grand Canyon filled the places in the Hack Steeples, and the former returned a nice dividend. Kohu is an • unfortunate horse in big steeplechases. Just when he looks like getting in the money one of the last fences beats him. ” j 'WW Once again Fiscom and Mountain God accounted for the V.R.C. Grand National “double.” They were screaming hot favorites, and their success would hit “the ring” Roy and Ashley Reed were riding at Rosehill on June 24, hut neither was successful. The former rode Sea Risk, a favorite, into second place in the Maiden. With a change of horsemen Sea Risk won next day. Passenger’s failure on Saturday was costly to Palmerston punters, but the horse will be all the better for the gallop, and may make amends. Royal Exchange may be hardest to Monocrat, by Elysian—(Monoline, bred by Mr. W. L. Thompson, won the Third Class Plate at Canning Park, Western Australia, last month. The High-Weight Handicap nt Trentham will take some picking, but Penury Rose should just about start favorite. Kyoto’ and General Petain read best, of the others. Whipping Boy, who jarred himself recently, is all right again, and will probably be a runner at Trentham on Saturday. Some say that his mission is the Winter Cup. There are several speedy sprinters in the Petone Handicap to-day, and the public may find it hard to decide between Sir Burnett, Liquer," Big Push, Loyal Maid and Cochineal. Possibly the latter pair will give their supporters the best run for their money. A new way of “stopping” a. favorite was invented in Ireland the other day. The unfortunate prad was strolling in when some disgusted person put three bullets into him. Racing, like most other things, is an unhealthy pastime in the Old Sod. Arch Salute won the Charity Cyp so decisively that his chance in the Parliamentary Handicap cannot be overlooked. Last year he won the race very comfortably with 9.3, and 10.10 may not seriously hinder him this afternoon. Southern scribe! do not -like Locbjella’s Grand National Steeplechase entry seriously*

The old champion has been running in the paddock since his return from E'llerslie, and he could not possibly be got ready in time to do himself justice at Riccarton. Master Strowan (1918 and 1922) now ranks with the double winners of the Wellington Steeples, the only others that have won twice being Gobo (1901-2), and Kiatere (1904-5). Trentham has been a lucky course for Master Strowan. In 1917 he won the Brooklyn Steeples and the July Steeples. The following year he landed the Wellington Steeples with 12.5, a feat which he repeated on Saturday last under the luxurious import of 10.10. The old horse will be twelve on August 1, so there is some excuse for the handicapper and the public treating hiim as somewhat of a spent light. The report presented at the annual meeting of the Manawatu Racing Club on Monday evening shows that, in common with most other clubs, the M.R.C. has had a lean year. Tote turnover dropped from £287,536 to £212,787; entry fees about £6OO, gates £7OO, and cards £137. Despite a reduction of £lOOO in stakes the club shows a net loss of £99R on the year’s operations. Against this it must be allowed that £1687 was written off ns depreciation. On the whole the M.R.C. has got out of it well, ftnd surely the sun will shine again some day I It appears likely that Beauford and Gloaming will meet for the first time in the Chelmsford Stakes at Tattersail’s meeting in September. Later on they may measure strides in the Rosehill Stakes, and the Spring Stakes and Craven Plate at Randwick. Interviewed as to his opinion of the respective merits of the two fliers, R. J. Mason refused to be drawn, but expressed the opinion that it would be a good race. COUNTRY CONFERENCE DELAYED. ACCIDENT TO PRESIDENT. Wellington, Last Night. The country racing club’s conference, called for to-night, was adjourned until to-unor-row evening, as telegraphic information was received that Mr. Albert Bruce (Thames), the president, met with an accident en route. Ha lajwlu la • taakn leie -