TURF NEWS AND NOTES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 6 March 1940, Page 3

TURF NEWS AND NOTES

CURRENT TOPICS FROM STABLE AND COURSE Degree of Risks In Racing POSITION IN AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND SUPERVISION OF STIPENDIARY STEWARDS (BY “THE GRAFTER.”) In its issue of February 24, the “Australasian” editorially makes the following remarks:—“There has been much less careless and reckless riding in races since the honorary stewards were superseded by stipendiaries. The stipendiary stewards are abie to give their undivided attention to events, with the result that there is seldom a meeting at which a rider has not been reprimanded or suspended for having caused interference. In most instances it is fair to say the offences have been due to carelessness rather than to unfair riding. In fact, on the whole, it must be admitted that Australian jockeys, although keen and venturesome, are scrupulously fair, and conform to the rules, as they would be expected to do in any case in the interests of their own safety. But there are times when careless riding runs very close to the line which divides it from foul riding. Foul riding, being difficult to detect, has always been looked upon as one of the most serious offences in the racing code. Fortunately it is a rarity.”

The “Australasian" comments the sporting writer of the “Otago Daily ■ Timos," is generally regarded as the leading authority on racing in Australia. and it is interesting to note that in the same issue two disqualifications for foul riding are reported, four cases of suspension for interference, and two falls probably caused by interference. Apparently interference in races is an incurable offence because no report of a week's racing in Australia has for years past been without minor cases of interference and “accidents" have robbed the Australian turf of some of its most prominent and capable riders. It seems, then, perfectly obvious that although lhe stipendiary stewards can detect cases of interference they seem to be as far away as ever from effecting anything in the shape of a remedy. The same remark applies with equal force <o New Zealand. It seems, to the writer, to be a most extraordinary.state of affairs in Australia, where three stipendiary stewards in addition to the honorary officials are in attendance at the principal meetings that no satisfactory action has been taken towards eliminating a far too frequently occurring element of clanger to life and limb in connection with racing. In one week's racing several cases of interference are reported, following the fatal fall of one of the most popular riders of the aay. Surely such a very serious and continuous state of affairs cannot be solely attributed to accidents. There must be something radically wrong when such a state of affairs continues through each succeeding racing season, is the frequency of interference and accidents open to remedy and clue to any particular reason that should admit of remedy'.' Suspension, and disqualification is obviously not a cure because the trouble continues without any appreciable reduction through each succeeding season. Is a most unsatisfactory state of affairs due to what appears to be supine control which allows a rider to take the risk of his life every time he rides in a race because, judged by results, that is the position today and has been the case in the past for year after year. Any .system of navigation which continually placed ships on the rocks would call up a universal protest demand for a remedy. A serious and dangerous fault exists in connection with racing. It is no doubt contributed towards its existence by inexperienced riders, although seme of the most proficient are too frequently on the carpet, and a stupid system of sitting a saddle, which demands the recognition provided by the Rules of Racing. Failing that, interference and fatal accidents possibly open to remedy’ will continue. Catalogue. Catalogue is being kept in easy ex-, crcise and keeps bright and well in I condition. He was foaled in 1930. ! Aussie Ra. Aussie Ra is again in work at New Flymouth. He was badly injured when lacing at the Trentham spring meeting, but has made a good recovery. A Change. Settlement and Prudent Prince have joined C. Emerson’s stable as a result of F. D. Jones leaving for Australia. I Unlucky. Capricious has been second six times in 10 starts this season. She has been unlucky enough to display merit even in defeat, and consequently is up in the weights. A Bargain. Prestige, the dam of Yogi, cost Mr F. , Ormond fiOOgns. She had a Beau Pore foal at foot, and appeared in foal again to the same sire. Yogi has won throe times this season, and in addition gained place money by three seconds and' a third. Prestige did not prove in foal '. to Beau Pere, still she ranks as a bar- ( gain. | RACING FIXTURES ' March 7, 9—Taranaki. March 8, 9 —Cromwell. i March 9, 11—Bay of Plenty. March 9 —Birchwood Hunt. March 9—Carterton. 1 March 14, 16—Wellington. 1 March 16, 18 —Westport. : March 16, 18 —Ohinemuri. ’ March 23 —Tuapeka. March 23, 25—Auckland. i March 23, 25 —Wairarapa. • ‘ March 23, 25—Feilding. i March 23 25, 26 —Riverton. 1 March 25 —Kumara. I March 25 —Beaumont. i March 25—Waipukurau. > March<’2s, 26 —Canterbury. 1 March 28, 20 —Grey mouth. <■ Match 30, April I—Avondale.1 —Avondale. C

AUTUMN MEETINGS BAY OF PLENTY ACCEPTANCES. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) AUCKLAND, March 5. Following arc the acceptances for the first clay of the Bay of Plenty Racing Chib's autumn meeting, to be held at Tauranga on March 9 and 11: — Trial Plate Handicap. 51f,: Whenua. 8.6; Bronze Spear, 8.5; Flying Eagle. Nyola, Lord Ace. 8.2; Commemoration. 8.1; Radiant Bay, Vaalsmac. Gael, Diversity, Spats, Master Ace, Lady Thea, Aceful, Reriwai, Golden Tom. Red Falcon, African, Misora, 8.0. Jack Tanner Memorial Handicap. 51f.: Cillas, 9.5; Surpai. 7.8; Paymaster. 7.6; Radiant Vaals, Dorset. Tea Blossom, 7.5; Siiveyor, Gay Widow. Aberdovey, Deanna Durbin, 7.0. Gate Pa Hurdles, llm.: General Ruse, 10.12; King Musk, 9.9; Haile Boy. 9.7; Gascyne, Enjoyment. Chikara, 9.5; Bells of Bow, Midland, Holme Fell. Floodlight, Mai de Mer, 9.0. Tauranga Cup, llm.: Kena. 8.12: Raana. 8.9; Games, 8.8; Te Hal, 8.6; ITiilcourt, 8.1: Erlick, 8.0; Pirate King. 7.12; Gold Vaals, 7.10; Rarotonga. 7.9; Pocket Venus. The Dozer, Grand City, 7.8; High Delight, 7.5; Very Glad, 7.3; Kaepata, Raceline, 7.0. Alf Bi'own Memorial Handicap, 6f.: Spearford. 8.12; Merry Vaals, 8.8; Biddy Girl. 8.5; Estro, 8.4; Star Vaal, 8.0; Ngawiri. 7.11: Mingle, Gold Petal. Gazeful, 7.7. Grcerton Highweight Hack Handicap, Im.: Mio Fratollo, 9.5; Foxtoon. 9.4; Silver Cloud, 9.0; Dutch Ace. 8.8; Mendellsohn, 8.4: Norse Lady, 8.3; Advance Acre, Bronze Spear, 8.0. Flying Handicap, Of.: Black Thread, 9.4; Foxsen. Corato, 8.0: Lornacre. 7.13; Foxmond. Penzance. 7.7; Silver Eagle. 7.5; Very Glad. 7.3; Te Kawiti, 7.2; Sir Robin. 7.1: Day Wind. Noitaro. Miss 'Te Koura. 7.0. President's Hack Handicap. 7f.: Greek Queen, 9.8: Si)' Robin. 9.5: Clippel'. 9.1; Kenneth Robert.- Susan. 8.11: Lit lie Ruse. 8.3: Dutch Ace. 8.1; Acreman, 8.0; Orally, Nyola. Mercury Bay. 7.7.

CROMWELL FIELDS. CROMWELL, March 5. The following are the acceptances for the first day of the Cromwell Jackey Club's annual meeting on Friday and Saturday:— Goldfields Hack Handicap. 6f.: Invadere, 8.5: Rose Henna, 8.4: Pretender, Midgard, 8.3; My Mistake, Homing, Jtilna, 8.2. Cromwell Handicap. Im.: Swordstick. 9.3; Night Wings, 8.7; Sir Hugh, 8.2; Hanlon. 7.13; Auctor. 7.3. Mount Pisa Hack Handicap, 61'.: Combat. 9.0: Counter Lunch. 8.7; Prince Ruenalf. 8.4; Pink Dress, 8.0; Pretender. Rose Henna, Queen Both. Jalna, Queensbury Handicap, 6L: Sir Hugh, 9 0; Hanlon. 8.12; Auctor, 8.3; Miltiades. .7.11; Song Boy, 7.4; Final Bell. 7.0. Lowburn Hack Handicap. Im.: Hearth, 9.0; Prince Ruenalf, 8.2; Raroa, 8.0; Exult, 7.11; Bad News, 7.10.

Spear Chief. Spear Chief is one of the greatest race horses seen out in Australia during recent years. His win in the Brisbane Cup with 9.7 in the record time of 3min. lO.ysecs. is sufficient proof of merit. He also beat Ajax over nine furlongs in the Rawson Stakes. Spear Chief was got by Spearfelt from Sore Hale, by Sermond (son of Desmond) — Line Gun, by Sir Summer —Needle Cun. by Amberite (son of Carbine) from Eileen, by Trident. Spearfelt was got by Spearhead (a son of Spearmint

and Baroness La Flcehe). from Lady Champion, by Challenger Ison of Isinglass!—Baye, by Barcaldine. Spear Chief is inbred to St. Simon and Carbine. and should make an ideal sire to got stayers. One Eye, An amendment has been made by the V.R.C. Committee to the rule dealing with 'he entering of a horse blind in one eye for any race. Previously the rule related only to races in the suburban radius, but the words "in the suburban radius" were deleted, and it is now an offence to enter such a horse lor any race in Victoria. The rule now reads “that an.y person entering any horse blind in one eye for any race, or running any such horse in any such race, may be lined, and such horse, and fiic owner and trainer thereof may be i.’.if',qualified by the stewards., or by the committee of the club. 1