TURF NEWS AND NOTES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 24 August 1939, Page 11

TURF NEWS AND NOTES

CURRENT TOPICS FROM STABLE AND COURSE Famous Writer Boosts American Racing Conditions ENGLISH COURSES YEARS BEHIND THE TIMES PLENTY OF TOTALISATORS BUT NO BOOKMAKERS (BY “CARBINE.”) Although h'e might not be regarded as a specially sound authority ’ in matters associated with racing, Trevor Wignall, who writes on various sports for the London “Dispatch,” is always interesting. A recent exchange states that he recently visited America and while in that country visited Arlington Park (Chicago) and subsequently indulges in comparisons that are not in the least flattering to English courses.

‘•I spent Independence Day at Arlington Park, one of the largest and most beautiful racetracks in the United States,” he says. “It is owned and operated by, millionaires, and stands in the centre of 1000 acres. There was a crowd of 45,000, despite the fact that the track is about 30 miles distant from Chicago. Our seats cost a trifle more than eight shillings, and they were infiinitely better than any place I have ever bought at an English racecourse for three times the amount. “The general admission price was four shillings, and for this was provided a seat in the biggest grandstand in which I have ever been accommodated. “It holds at least 35.000 in comfort, and, packed as it was, it held practically all who had paid for admission. “Only that side of the ground on which the stand is situated had spectators, but, as is common on American tracks, every stage and instant of the race could be seen from start' to finish. There were no bookmakers, but plenty of totalisators, on which the minimum stake was eight shillings. The daily double was on the first two races. “Compared with this magnificent track it has to be written that all English courses are at least a century behind the times. The millionaire owners of Arlington Park put back all the profits they make. Even Epsom and Ascot look like something taken from an ancient Christmas tree when contrasted with Arlington. “There were two photo finishes, by which is meant that a picture taken and developed and placed on view in the enclosures within.;a minute or so was inspected by the judges before they rendered their verdicts. These photo finishes, with the running commentaries, should be introduced to our country. “The first would most definitely put an end to anger and controversy, and it is my opinion that they are as essential 'oh dog tracks asfjhey are on racecourses. One of the photographs that was brought to me for examination showed that the distance between the winner and the second horse was no more than an inch. No human eye can deliver a correct verdict in such circumstances.

“The actual racing was no better than it is in Britain, but the organisation and conditions were very much superior, while the spectator was given a much fairer deal than he is on any British track I have visited. “Comfort and convenience is the hall mark of Arlington. As a general rule racegoers in England have to put up with discomfort and prices of admission that are out of all reason. “American racing is in advance of English, because the person who keeps it alive is given the consideration he deserves. On some English courses he is treated as though he is being awarded a privilege when he pays his money at the turnstiles.”

BEST AMERICAN COLT JOHNSTOWN HAS PROVED HIMSELF. In America Johnstown has proved himself the best colt of this season. Challedon beat him once, but at their next meeting Johnstown fairly •. lost him. According to “Roamer,” gf the “Thoroughbred Record,” the only horse possessing a chance of extending Johnstown at a mile is Lovely Night, but the latter was once beaten by Johnstown, and his trainer, Henry McDaniel has no wish to again pit him against that colt. While the “eye in the sky” make mistakes in finishes almost impossible, race timing in America is, according to “Roamer,” not nearly up to the same standard. At Saratoga, a few years ago, races were not timed from barrier-rise, but when, a few yards farther on, the horses reached a man who dropped a flag. At times when he did so the leaders must have been a little past him. Sometimes it would appear to be the other way around, as in commenting on Lovely Night’s form, “Roamer” says: “Lovely Night won the Queen’s County Handicap, one mile, in facile fashion —the official timer credited him with having run the distance in 1.36 2-5, which was an obvious error, reliable private times making the colt a second faster. To digress for the moment, official timing in this country is a joke—in most instances the official time' is too fast, as was notably the case in Porter’s Mite's Champagne last September." “A GOOD THING” MISSES OUTSIDER WINS IRISH DERBY. The Irish Derby, run at “The Curragh" recently, was supposed to be such “ a good thing” for Cornfield, that he started at even money in a field of nine. The winner, however, turned up in Mr P. J. Rutledge’s Mondragon, who was at 12 to 1 in a field of nine, and was ridden by the Irish jockey, J. Canty. Crushed Corn ran second, defeating his stable companion, Cornfield, for that position. Gordon Richards, went over to ride Lord Astor’s Kenilworth, but that colt beat only two. The race is one worth winning from a monetary standpoint, the added money being £3500, of which, after the deductions of bonuses for those who owned the placegetters at time of entry, 75 per cent went to the winner, 15 per cent to second, and 10 per cent to third. Mondragon is by Sea Serpent, sire of Old Serpent, recently bought in Melbourne by Mr P. Millerr. Sea Serpent is a son of Golden Myth (Tredennis—Golden Lily), who won an Ascot Gold Cup. DANGEROUS STATEMENTS 1 ACTION TAKEN AGAINST ENGLISH STEWARDS. A recent legal decision in a case heard before the Lord Chief Justice in London demonstrated that it is dangerous for stewards, racecourse secretaries, or newspapers to publish statement concerning punishment imposed upon alleged offenders. At a Gatwick meeting the stewards fined a man £lO, and caused a horse to be withdrawn from a race almost at the last moment, because it was alleged that, without the written authority of the owner, and in breach of the rule, he had declared a horse a runner, and said he was the owner. The declaration clerk stated the alleged offender said he was the owner of the horse. The latter denied this, saying he had told the clerk he had the authority of his father (owner of the horse), though it was not a written authority. The finding of the stewards was duly posted on the course, as well as given to the Press. Mr M. B. Pope, the man concerned, thereupon took action for libel against the Gatwick stewards— Commander A. V. Courage, Baron Francis de Tuyll, and T. H. Lloyd—as well as the club secretary. The jury gave a verdict for the plaintiff, awarding him £2OO. The fore-going suggests that in future stewards at English meetings will be very careful in posting notices of punishment or giving them to the Press. RACING FIXTURES August 31— Egmont-Wanganui Hunt. September 2 —Taranaki Hunt. September 2 —Otago Hunt. September 7, 9—Wanganui Jockey Club. September 16 —Foxton Racing Club. September 16—Ashburton County Racing Club. September 16, 18—Avondale Jockey Club.