TURF NEWS AND NOTES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 7 June 1939, Page 9

TURF NEWS AND NOTES

CURRENT TOPICS FROM STABLE AND COURSE

Would 5A Totalisator be Popular in New Zealand?

(By “CARBINE.”)

’ Would the ss. totalisator meet with the favour of the racing public of the Dominion? Such a move would undoubtedly be favoured by the fairer sex who patronise the various courses in New Zealand. Those women who like a little punt as well as wearing the latest fashions at the races would welcome such an innovation. At present if they wish to support their fancy it is necessary for them to find someone who is willing to share the cost of a 10s ticket and in many cases the other woman is willing to share the cost butj does not fancy that particular starter. One has to give in and on numerous occasions the one that gives in is sorry as her fancy came home and she was not on it. There is much to commend Mr. G. Gould’s suggestion made at the annual meeting pf the Canterbury Club that the Racing Conference should insist on facilities being provided for a minimum investment of 5s on the totalisator. There is no doubt that such a move would be a popular one with the majority of racegoers in the Dominion. The one big drawback to the scheme is. of course, the extra cost that would have to be borne by the clubs. This objection was very stoutly raised when the minimum investment was reduced from £1 to 10s. but the latter unit has since become universal throughout the Dominion. A season or two ago several clubs in the North Island tried to run the 5s tote but were forced to return to the 10s unit. That a 5s totalisator would certainly increase the amount of money invested is contended by some, but that, of course, would only be discovered by experience. There is nothing in the Rules of Racing to prevent any club from again making the experiment and as the Canterbury Jockey Club is one of the leading clubs in the Dominion it has the opportunity of trying the scheme out at its Grand National meeting next August.

W. Kitto Out for Some Time.

SUGGESTION MADE AT ANNUAL MEETING OF CANTERBURY CLUB

The other side of the question which is taken by some is that small bettors usually bet on guesswork, blind tips or superstitions and that they usually find someone with whom to share the coj of the bet. The handling of investments at one meeting that ranks second to none in New Zealand has the win and place bet at one window and the paying of any dividend at any window must come.

A. McDonald Improving. Alan McDonald, who was injured when Power Chief fell on him, is making satisfactory progress in the Palmerston North Hospital. An X-ray examination revealed that there weie no bones broken, but McDonald is considerably bruised and shaken, and will have to lay up for a while.

W. Kitto is at present in the TimarU Hospital suffering from a broken thigh, suffered while riding work on the Washdyke course. The accident will keep Kitto out of the saddle for some time to come.

English Arrivals. There arrived from England last week two well-bred young thoroughbred stallions destined for Waikato and Hawke’s Bay districts. These horses are Lang Bian and Ninth Duke. Lang Bian, winner of six races to the value of 104.210 francs, a representative of the famous St. Simon sire line, has been acquired by the Karamu Stud, Hastings. Ninth Duke, by Blandford, is a winner both in France and England, and is consigned to Messrs Malcolm Bros., Te Rapa. ’■ Oamaru Course is Safe. In the list compiled by the Racing Conference showing the safety limit of fields on all the racecourses of New Zealand, the Oamaru course is shown as the only one with a safety, limit of 30 horses at every starting post. Waikato Taxation. Taxation amounting to £7051 has been paid in connection with the Waikato Racing Club’s recent meeting. Taxation on the February meeting' amounted to £7445 and on the winter meeting last year, to £6430. Interesting Proposal. An interesting proposal sponsored by the Executive Committee will come before the next annual meeting of the Racing Conference. If carried, it will mean that during the progress of a race meeting an owner dr a trainer will not be able to change the jockey of a horse without obtaining the permission of the chairman of the Judicial Committee and the stipendiary steward, which shall be granted only on good and substantial grounds. A breach of the rule may result in a fine of £5 and the disqualification of the horse for the race. To Support Protest. The Auckland branch of the Owners and Trainers’ Association has decided to support the protest of the Manawatu branch against the use of the barrier at the mile and a quarter starting post at Trentham, it being considered dangerous. The New Zealand Jockeys' Association had also protested against the use of this barrier.

THE SPORT OF KINGS OVERSEAS. PERSONAL AND OTHERWISE. “Spear Chief is the greatest horse in Australia, and we will not part with him at any price. Defaulter should never have beaten him,” declared Mr; J. B. Charlton, after the Brisbane Cup. Spear Chief is gradually rising among Australia’s big stake winners. His total is now £11,530. and he will probably race for another two seasons. ■—"■ 1 American Racehorses. In America racehorses are stabled on the courses at which they are competing, and at Hollywood Park (Inglewood) where racing commences on June 1, there are 41 stables (barns, as they are called there) with 1354 stalls, 246 tack rooms and 206 feed rooms. From the foregoing it will be gathered that an American racecourse becomes a miniature city when an important race meeting is taking place.

Sale Completed. The sale has been completed of Mr. Frank Ormond’s well-bred rising two-year-old colt Ahab to J. T. Jamieson, of Randwick, Sydney. Ahab, by Bulandshar (imp.)—Lucinette, is a full brother to Kobi and a half brother to Imogen. Ahab, is by the same sire as the well-known High Art, who is trained by Jamieson at Randwich. Jamieson also leased on his own behalf from the Karamu stud the rising two-year-old gelding by Bulandshar —Provence. Stipendiary Stewards. Stipendiary stewards officiate at England's principal pony track, Northolt Park. They were granted powers to sit as stewards of meetings towards the close of 1938. This year the control of meetings is vested in two honorary stewards, and three stipendiaries. The latter are present at every meeting and evidently they are vested with the same powers as those at Australian meetings. A London paper in referring to their activities says it cannot be other than sound policy to allow them full powers of inquiry and punishment of offences. Spring Invasion Discussed. Next season’s New Zealand invasion will be productive of particular interest (writes -Pilot” in the Sydney -Referee”). Considering the representation was not numerically strong, the Dominion’s horses did wonderfully well in, important Australian events this season. Naturally enough, New Zealanders ascribe this to the general superiority of their horses, but it must not be overlooked that comparatively

few moderates are sent to Australia. If some of our best were tried in New Zealand it is not improbable they would hold their own in the principal’ events. New Zealand Nominations. Among the nomination for the Victorian Grand National Hurdles and Steeplechase to be decided on July 1 and 8 respectively are the New Zealanders Erination, Irish Comet, Smilin’ Thru and Celtic Lad. Erination is perhaps the only one with first-class prospects should he make the trip, and his assessment by the handicapper will be awaited with interest. RACING FIXTURES June 10 —Hawke’s Bay Jockey Club. June 10 —Dunedin Jockey Club. June 17 —Bay of Plenty. June 17 —Hawke’s Bay. June 17 —Greymouth. June 24 —Ashburton. . June 24 —Waipa. June 24 —Otaki Maori. July I—Oamaru. July I—Dannevirke1 —Dannevirke Hunt. July 4,6, B—Wellington.8—Wellington. July 15 —Waimate District Hunt. July 15 —Hawke’s Bay Hunt. July 22—Rangitikei Hunt.