CURRENT TOPICS FROM STABLE AND COURSE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 24 July 1940, Page 3

CURRENT TOPICS FROM STABLE AND COURSE

Curtailment of Racing in Sydney '* (BY “THE GRAFTER.”) Lack of unanimity was shown at the compulsory conference in Sydney of racing clubs, who were urged by the State Government to curtail their racing. Some delegates challenged the State’s representative, the Hon M. F. Bruxner, and threatened to appeal to the Prime Minister, Mr Menzies, to invoke the Federal authority to restrain the proposed action by the State of New South Wales. Mr R. J. Bartley was the main spokesman for those opposed to any restriction, and he also attacked Mr Bruxner in the press. Mr Bruxner made one public reply, saying that some people apparently placed profits before country and that proprietary clubs were of no use to the country or to racing. Another section of racing men held a meeting and addressed a telegram to Mr Menzies, asking for intervention, but at this point the proceedings took a piquant turn. It is learned that the Federal Government had instructed all Governments to curtail racing in their own States, this being a domestic and not a Federal affair. Already 40 days have'been taken from Victoria. Mr Bruxner now will introduce legislation next month designed to curtail racing drastically in the Sydney metropolitan area to two days a week. Another interesting development is Mr Bruxner’s order to investigate fully the finances of all the former proprietary clubs. It is known that all of these carry heavily-watered stock, but the State Government now will not be satisfied until it knows the actual money involved in proprietary racing, and clubs will be treated accordingly.

What McCarten Said. When Beaulivre was beaten by Expressman in the Doomben Newmarket, it was cabled that McCarten thought he had won and had to wait till the numbers went up before he could be certain he was beaten. Here is what he did say, as reported by the Sydney Morning Herald: —McCarten had no excuses to make for Beaulivre’s defeat. “’He had a splendid run and had every chance,” he said. “’The horse ran gamely throughout, and when he closed on Expressman opposite the stands I thought he was certain to win. Beaulivre weakened in the last 50yds.” No Restriction. No restriction on horse-racing is to be applied in Tasmania, as is proposed in New South Wales. A report to hand from Australia states that the Prime Minister, Mr R. Gosgrove, has said that he can see no reason why the Government should take any such action as that contemplated in the northern State. Racing will automatically restrict itself, if people find that they are unable to patronise meetings. Becoming More Solid. The victory of Johnemby, in the Waimate Novice Stakes, and his subsequent second in the Waimate Handi- ' cap, indicate that this Iliad gelding is becoming more solid. He is half-bro-ther to Queen Dorothy, who ran some of her best races as an aged mare.