JOTTINGS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 14 October 1939, Page 11

JOTTINGS

MISS M. BUCHANAN HONOURED. Miss M. Buchanan, secretary of the Manawatu Racing Club, has been elected a life member of the Foxton Racing Club. Moving at the annual meeting of the Foxton Club that Miss. Buchanan be elected a life member, Mr M. B. Bergin said that she had spontaneously offered her services to the Foxton Club when the Awapuni course was made available to Foxton for racing purposes. When the club desired to recompense her for her services she would not entertain the suggestion. IT Miss Buchanan refused to accept any monetary reward, then he felt that the club should at least confer on her the highest honour it was possible to confer on any of its members that of life membership.

When a horse reaches the post for a race he goes under the sole control of the starter. The field also becomes public property for the purpose oi belting, and any riding, or anything detrimental to a horse’s chance of winning should not be allowed to go without official attention, and the public should be promptly notified if any action has been taken in the matter. The main point to consider is that the public desire to know if a horse suffered defeat through lack of racing merit or for any reason that should not stop them from following up a horse they fancy.

Next best price paid for a New Zea-land-bred horse to the IO.OOOgns. paid for Gold Salute is the 7000gns. paid for Mala, who was got by Lackham'from Lucretia, by Lucullus. Mr A. Cooper has in addition to other purchases paid 19,000gns. for Talking, 10,000gns. for Gold Salute, and 7000gns. for Mala. New Zealand also plays a big part in Talking's pedigree, as he was got by Magpie from Society, by Absurd — First Class, by All Black.

The lengthy delay between horses entering the birdcage, generally 25 minutes before starting time, the preliminary, and then a wait of 15 minutes or more at the post does not help a horse naturally inclined to be a bit slow in the early stages of a race. The Rules of Racing provide for such a most unsatisfactory state of affairs, which considers the totalisator and not the horse, and hence not the real interests of investors. A horse of a sluggish nature may stiffen up in the muscles during a long wait at the post and walking around may not be nearly sufficient to keep a horse limbered up to go with a field in the- early stages of a race. Under ordinary circumstances on the training track, if a trainer galloped a horse and then kept him walking about minus a rug, for about 20 minutes,' the risk of a chill would be odds on. but on race days the rules force them to do it even in bad weather. Some day a trainer will create a sensation by arranging for a quarter sheet to be thrown over his horse during the long delay at the post. In fact, it is most remarkable that such a procedure has not been adopted years ago.

The revival of the Hastings Stakes after it had been allowed to lapse for 17 years probably proved to doubters that two-year-old racing can be encouraged with little or no immediate loss and considerable ultimate gain. The revived event drew a field of eight. The class on the whole looked moderate. Hastings trainers are not enthusing over the new crop they have seen working, and were not surprised when the Gisborne colt, Kindergarten. comfortably accounted for the seven Hastings youngsters. The victory of Kindergarten served to introduce a new sire, Kincardine, to whom the winner is a credit. Kindergarten is a sensible brown colt, apparently endowed with a very even temperament. He galloped smoothly in the run down the straight and won going away. He decisively accounted for the Bulandshar filly Indore, who had won at Wanganui . Indore’s display was very disappointing. None of the others attracted much attention and will not unless they improve considerably.

The totalisator laid doubles in New Zealand more than 30 years ago, one favourite double being the New Zealand Cup and Stewards’ Handicap, which are run at the Canterbury Jockey Club Spring Meeting. In 1906 when Star Rose won the New Zealand Cup and paid a dividend of £5l 6s for £l, Captain Shannon was successful in the Stewards’ Handicap, in which his dividend was £27-for £1; the solitary backer of the winning double collected at the rate of 2.061 to 1. When the backer can win so much money for a small outlay, it is not surprising that the doubles betting on the totalisator is popular in Adelaide, where it has been established for quite a long time.