THE TURF.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2251, 24 July 1908, Page 3

THE TURF.

RACING CONFERENCE. [Press Association.] WELLINGTON, July 23. In liis opening address at tile Racing Conference, Sir Geo. Clifford made sympathetic reference to the death of Messrs Stead and Petrie. The accident fund had not sufficient funds to meet, calls upon .it, but it had been an exceptional year. Regarding recent legislation, Sir George Clifford emphasised ,the belief that pure sport was greatly safeguarded by substituting .the machine for the human layer of odds. What abuses were attributed Jo the totalisator mainly resulted from crafty adaptation of its system to their own ends by proprietors of tote shops. The Racing Conference’s offer to the community had always been the clean betting, untainted with temptations to trickery or fraud, restricted in its nature to moderate amounts, and utilising its profits to improve sport and the means of enjoying it. “We have,” he added, “endeavored to make racing as far as possible a sport and not «n business, and we resent compulsory admission of bookmakers to our courses as a retrograde step. While conforming loyally to a. law of which wo disapprove, wo can only trust to .the common-sense of pur supporters tp minimise its evils.” In his belief the New Zealand turf was on the whole singularly free from abuses. The Dates and Permits Committee, consisting of Messrs E. W. Alison, F. W. Abbot, E. Goodbehere, Hon. McVay, C- Hood Williams and H. Friedlander, was re-appointed. The committee appointed to consider and report upon the working of tlie Gaming • and Lotteries Act, Amendment'Act reported that “It considers i.t expedient at present not to make any suggestions as to the general working of the Act nor to alter the present regulations,- as recommended by tlie special meeting of the Racing Conference , in January last, in view of the fact that the whole matter is still in an experimental stage. The committee, however, are satisfied that the procedure of racing clubs in the observance of the Act should lie uniform, and therefore advise the incorporation of tlie regulations in the rules of racing.” The chief features of the regulations are : No club giving less than £4OO per day in stakes to charge a higher fee than £lO par day (pxcept in cases where less than, six licenses are issued), each holder of a license to be entitled to employ a clerk at a fee of 10s per day; special portions of the course to lie set apart for bookmakers; no bookmaker to bet after the closing of the totalisator for each i-ace; no bookmaker to lay totalisator odds; bookmakers and clerks to wear badges; no bookmaker to make any wages depending on the result of more than one race; no bookmaker to run. a horse at a meeting at which lie holds a license. The accounts of the accident fund and the trainers and jockeys provident, fund were adopted, am} it was decided'-to postiwnie ■consideration of the report of tlie committee regarding race colors until tlie various notices of motion had been dealt with. The Conference then proceeded to consider amendments to the rules of racing, of which notice had been given, tbe following being agreed to: By Sir Geo. Clifford, to amend part IV. Rule, by adding the words, “or the official forfeit list published by the recognised turf authority pf any county” ; by the president, page 23, part VI., rule 4, that the following words be added to the rule, “nor on anv course which is not sufficiently railed on the inside of the racing track, unless tho committee of the club can show to the .satisfaction of the president that it is unable to perform the necessary work” ; bv the president, at tlie request of handicapped, page 37, part XV., rule 1, striko ’ gut atl the words after “any race” ii[

the second lino, and substitute “or outer an- unnamed horse in any handicap shall bo lined by . the president 5 sovs lor every time ho shall so run or enter such horse” ; by tlio_ president, page 37, part XV., rule o, that the words “or winch has been previously entered in the Now Zealand Stud Book,” bo inserted after tlie word “country” iu tins second lino. Tho president, the lion. 0. Samuel, Air. Friedlander and Mr. Hornes wore appointed a committee to report to tlio next conference as to tlio advisability and feasibility of reducing the number of days’ racing hold by tlio various chibs using tho totalisntor and to make recommendation thereon. AVELLING’J’ON ACCEPTANCES. [Press Association.] . y ■ AVELLINGTON, July 23. The following arc tlio acceptances for Saturday’s races;— Onslow Handicap, 6 furlongs.— Truce, ’ Aboriginal, Golden Gate, AVharokura, Duart, Lundwern, Rangipapn, Tupono. Croftou Hack Handicap, 7 furlongs —A’asn, Rangihaota, Sandstrcam, Spinning Flight, • Skye, Alonkey Puzzle, Cavatina, Truthful. Third Hack Hurdles.—Lotlierin, Defeat. TOp Rose,, Ghoorka, Immolation, Snip, Stratbcona, Hatley, Jolly Roger, Sherlock Holmes, Cyrus, Onkbourno. July Steeplechase, 2) miles.—Loch Fyno, Tilson, la 1 Beau, Pierre, Bullworth, Lingerer, Valium, St. Amelia. AVinter Oats Handicap.—Sir Frisco, California, Seaman, Wailethe, Aboriginal, Alaharnmii, Coni'A'an, Landworn, Memo Zealand, Cli e. Loehiel, ICurawakn, Mussel. Final Hurdle Handicap, 13 miles.— Scotty, Compass, Lotlierin, Sensim, Exmoor, Defeat, Full Cry Too Rose, Immolation, Snip, Kia Ora. Hack Handicap, C furlongs.—Silk AVeb. Samlstream, Yosaini, Royal Maid, Lirttdwei'ii, Flint Gun; Glentuiy Glen. !f «*• AYIN FOR NEAV ZEALAND HORSE United Press Association. Copyright LONDON, July 22. Tlie Bridgato Park Plate resulted: Noctuilbrm 1, Cardiff 2, Ahuiginekell 3.