THE TURF.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2559, 21 July 1909, Page 6

THE TURF.

NEW ZEALAND TROTTING CONFERENCE.

(Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, July 20. At the Trotting Conference, the basis of standard for trotters and pacers submitted this morning was approved. Officers were elected as follows: President, Air. Rowe (Onehunga); ricepresident, Mr. J. Colvin, AI.P.; executive, Alessrs O. Payling, J. T. Pannell, and W. J. Shore. It was resolved that next annual conference be held at Wellington, on a date to be arranged. HAWKE’S BAY HUNT CLUB WEIGHTS. NAPIER, July 20. The following weights have been declared for the Hawke’s Bay Hunt Club’s annual steeplechase meeting: Hunters’ Bracelet Handicap Hurdles, 2 miles. —Gold Shower 11.12, Dreamer and Atanui 11.10, Sylvia Alaid 11.7, Watershed 11.3, Impossible. Taipara, Wharaponga, Kaiwhaka Alaid, Chief, and Alother Goose 11.0. First Open Flat Race, once round. — Assayer-and Loiret 10.7, The Squatter 10.4, Eldorado 9.11, Water-o’-Alilk, Claughton, and Perchance 9.0. Hawke’s Bay Hunt Club Steeplechase Handicap, about 21 miles.—Atanui 12.0, Sylvia Alaid 11.9, Zummerzet, Snooker, Takeleg, Potango, and Chief 11.0.

Hunters’ Flat Race Handicap, 11 miles. —Brown Belt 12.0, Gold Shower 11.12, Atanui 11.7, Watershed 11.2, Impossible, Taipara, Kaiwhaka Maid, and Mother Goose 11.0.

Second Open Flat Race, 6 furlongs.— Rock Ferry 10.12, Loiret 10.6, The Squatter 10.5, Burton. 9.11. Clipper 9.7, The Limit 9.5, Cork 9.2, Water-o’-Alilk, Claughton, Perchance, Mokai, and Resign 9.0. Hunters’ Final Steeplechase Handicap, about 2 miles.—Sylvia Alaid 11.12, Snooker, Takeleg, and Kaiwhaka Alaid 11.3, Potango 11.0. AUSTRALIAN JOCKEYS.

Under the above beading the “Australasian” has a: , leading article, from which I make the following excerpt: “In England a few years ago jockeys made very large incomes, principally through owners of the millionaire class being prepared to give them tremendous retaining fees. A rider "of consequence still commands a large fee, but' we do not hear of the heavy retainers of the late ’9o’s. In Australia the profession is not so profitable as in the Old Country, and going by statistics there is more risk of accident. Why, as regards the flat, should accidents be more common in Australia than in older countries? Does it mean incompetency or reckless riding on the part of our jockeys? The cross-country rider certainly has not much to look forward to in Australia. In most cases he only makes a living, and stands every chance of meeting with a fatal accident. For a losing mount over fences he gets £3 when the stake is not £IOO, and £5 when the stake is worth more than £2OO and less than £3OO. When the stake exceeds £3OO-he gets £lO. These seem fair fees, but there are only a few of the £IQ races, and the crosscountry jockey gets very little for schooling horses three or four times a week in the jumping season. Probably the men who rode in the Ballarat stables in ’BO did well. The stables with -which, they were connected monopolised the most important races for a time. In the days of T. Corrigan, James Scobie,, A Ferguson, and one or two others, the Ballarat racing follcs were all friends, and jockeys were allowed to bet. When T. Wilson, R. Howie, or A. Taylor, as the case might be, had a good thing, all Ballarat was welcome to he on it at the finish. And these good things were backed by their riders. Probably T. Corrigan did not do much good in the end. He kept on hacking them after Ballarat was on tho decline. James Scobie was more

prudent. Ho had £IOOO on his own mount, Blue Alountain, for tho first hurdle race that horse won at Flemington, but gave u.p that kind of 'betting long since. Fie also gave up riding at the right time. Corrigan. Mooney, Burke, arid J. Barbour all stuck to it until they were killed. It is a fascinating pursuit, no doubt. Very few men like to relinquish riding over fences, but, as far as money-mak-ing is concerned!; it is not a very remunerative profession, and you never know when you are going to be sent to the hospital. With steeplechasing as it is now, a jockey must go all tho way, and let the horse get over the fences as best lie can. There is not the scope for skill there was when, fences were higher, and judgment could he shown in riding.