1934-01-05 — Page 18

THE HONGKONG TELEGRAPH. FRIDAY,

JANUARY 5, 1934.

OUR PAGE FOR THE RACING

THE AGA KHAN & OFF

COURSE TOTE BETS

DIFFERENTIATION INJUSTICE

POTENTIAL OWNERS WHO ARE SCARED BY THE COST OF RACING.

The need for the extension of "Tote" facilities for stay-at-home 'backers; regard for ready money wagers when consideration is given to the recommendations of the Royal Commission on Lotteries, etc., the appointment of stipendiary stewards; a criticism of Jockey Club rules re objections and the suggestion of a revision of handicap weights formed the subject of the Aga Khan's speech at the Gimcrack dinner recently, at which he was chief guest.: ·

Here are points from the Apa Khan

The guest of the evening had a pat on the back for the "Tote," Ballsfaction that expressing good progress had been made the course" giving "off hackers the necessary facilities for utilising the services of the machine.

In

Ho was told the amount from this source this year would be nearly n million pounds. He would like further progress in the same direction.

on

|

In regard to the recommendations

of the Royal Commission ready-money boiling off the course, he hoped if anything in that nature was contemplated something analogous to the French Pari-mutuel would be permitted with the "Tote." "What Is the difference between

letting the stay-at-home backer |

THE

put money on through an agency or office of the "Tote," or an book- and office of a agency: maker7

"If one is allowed, I see no reason why the other should not exist. "Only if the "Tote became a real success, would it be possible to give prizes sufficiently high to make racing anything but a rich man's hobby."

not

Potential owners who were

rich were scared off by high expense and the poor prospects of n-horse paying its way.

His Highness supported stipendi. ary stewards and criticised the rule re objection, which he des cribed as very unsatisfactory. It would be better if stewards made requisite objections, ren- dering it lean and less the op- tional privilege of owners. He also urged that the average weight in handicaps should be reduced to Ust..

THE AGA KHAN.

PLEA FOR REVISED HANDICAP WEIGHTS

HE dinner, ena of the most im

portant hocial racing functious of the year, was held at York Station Hotel, York.

The guest of the evening was H. H. the Aga Khan, whose two-year-old bay Ally Mea-Rustam won the Gimcrack At the York August meeting.

The "Tate" had an opportunity of rendering yet another service to the When two horsea ran in thej

tlo public.

any race, Home ownership in "Foto" should be able to allow a bet to be made on the two horses of the same owner joined together, but it would be possible to back either horse individually at the backer's choice.

This, it seemed to him, would de away with the dissatisfaction so often u horse carrying second felt when colours won.

Replying to the chief toast, the Aga Khan referred to the strange freak of fortune which had decreed that a man of his religion, peculiar family history, and antecedents, should be making u

The question of betting on horses in Gimcrack speech. It was surely possibility those who founded the the sanie stable was not done in otro historic race could hardly have fore- countries where the coupling of horse

in the same ownership for betting pur- poses was aiment generally practised.

носп

A

Might he hepo as time went on that interest in spart of every kind might draw Englishmen and Indians more and mare together.

Expressing his gratification at the success of the Totalisator, his High- ness said it was gratifying to know that the problem of directing some portion of betting to the Totalisator had been tackled, and that good pro- grona had been made in giving the off the course" backer the necessary faellities for betting on the "Tote".

"I am told." he said, "that in the present year the amount of betting from this source which has found its way into the "Tolo" is nearly, one million pounds.

na it "This in antisfactory so far goos, but I should like to sou further progress in this direction,"

Only if the "Tote" becamo a real success would it be possible to give priza aufliciently high to make racing anything but A very rich man's nobby.

Surely it would be best if the Stewards who were always watching the race. could make the objection whenever necessary and so'make, it less and less, the optional privilege of owners.

In many countries cbjections had more-from the more and PASHed owners to stewards, who investigated cases of rough riding and generally dealt with objections.

In those countries frivolous objce- tions were never made because public. opinion would not stand them.

REDUCE WEIGHTS.

In conclusion his Highness urged.

that the bottom weight in handicaps should-be reduced-once more.to.Gat.. "In my opinion," he eald, "this la essential if disaster is to be avoided."

Many potential owners who were not rich were frightened away by

"Apprentice ruces do not give sulli- the high expenses and the poor pros- peels of a horse paying its way. cient experience to light-weight ap- were prentices, who, I consider, should have Yet those potential owners

regular chances of riding against the -needed

best jockeys and thus-learn-their-joba by experience,

Competition was desirable, and it was not of necessity the rich man who could afford to run a stable, who was the best-judge of a horse.

Nor was he any more capable than Le less rich potential owner managing his stable,

"I think it would be a great induce nient to owners if in all races, plates as classics, the and stakes as well second horses received ten per cent. and the third horse five per cent. of the total value of the race, ›

FRANCE'S EXAMPLE. Remarking that he had been greally struck by the way in which the prob

This would not mean that the lem had been handied in France, the Aga Khan said that in 1932 the sum of owner of the winner would be much 6294 million francs came to the race- worse off except in a few valuable Course Totalisator in France from the races where the prize money to second Parl-Mutuel Urbain out of a total and third was at prosent ridiculously turnover for the year of two billions, small. 110 million francs-about £20,000,000 sterling at present exchange.

Up to October 31 this year the Pari-1 mutuel Urban' had taken over 688% million francs an against just less than 420 million. france in the same period of 1932,

The ordinary Pari-mutuel on the racecourse had fallen by about ten por cent. As Bomo 4 per cent of the money betted with the Totnilaator In France went to the racecourse com- panies and 1% per. cont. to horne brooding It was easy to see what ad vantage that arrangement had been to the sport.

STIPENDIARY, STEWARDS. Referring to the question of atigen- diary stowards, the Aga Khan said' there must be many men, who would

"Apprentices riding against each other are not up against the best and most experienced men in their profer- sion, and these races have not for them the same education value.

ENTHUSIAST BY CAPTAIN

Left Moucha, with Mr. A. Polls up, being led in after winning the Volunteers' Steeplechase at the Fanling Meating on Sunday. Right: The Gadwall (Mr. Hope) winner of the New Year's Eve Hurdlo race. (Photo: Mee Cheung).

RACING

THE GRIFFINS IN TRAINING

LATEST FORM DISPLAYED AND TIMES RETURNED

COSSIP

LEAVES FROM MY POCKET NOTEBOOK

(By "Captain Foster")

On the whole we have had a very quiet week at Happy Valley, nearly all the ponies doing slow healthy work. I was sorry to hear that Mr. Lewis' CAPTAIN COOK died early on Tuesday morning last, as the animal was a very promising one. This is the second Australian of the new batch he has lost, the first having to be destroyed as a result of an accident

New Names. The following Derby griffins, have now been named, namely:-

b 28

Mrs. Dunbar Mr. Dunbar

+4

.

Hem

City of Scattis

Boolat Bay

Bayardo

Gladiator

Macaroni

Day

79

Ronn

Sandy Bay

24 Grey

Oak Bay

164

Chea

196

Bay

161

Ches

Lemberg

195

Ray

197

Grey

Herod

158

Chies

Mrs. Pearce Mr. Dynasty

182

I-Grey

c 173

176

Bay

D. 23 I-Grey

27-

185 Bay

-186.

-chea

.181 bay

Dr. Lee

Mr. S. W. Tang

€ 127.

128 black

D 137 brown

Trowbridge Klug's Warden

Ammand

Diego

Fancy Worth

Waterloo

Vago

Racing Pluck Racing Triumph Racing Pride

gallop of a mile and three quarters the last mile taking 2-18 and the final quarter 31 3/6..

SUBSCRIPTION GRIFFINS.

DERBY GRIFFINS. One of the best gallops of the week was that of fron llore, who

Soldier of China cantered a mile covered one and a quarter miles in 2-61, last mile in 2-15 2/6, lust and a quarter in 2-58, finishing. three quarters in 1-42, last half in strongly in 31. The last half took 1-07 4/5, last quarter in 33 3/5.1-05, the last three quarters 1-41,

I was also impressed with New and the last mile 2-18. Star and Stage Star (Kong Bros.), they took 219 to cover the last In 60 per cent.mile, 1-42 for the last three nunrters, 1-06 for the last half and 33 for the last quarter of a mile.

Snaway (Mr. Quarto) and Willam Osler (Dr. Macgown) went nicely together for a mile and a quarter in 2-56, the last three quarters took 1-43 3/5, the last was done in 106 3/5 and the last quarter in 31.

"An Illustration will perhaps best explain my meaning. of our handicaps the top-weight should be fixed at 9st. and brought down to anything which the handicapper may consider a fair weight-even to under,

Ost.'

"In the other races Ust. 71b. might be axed, going up to nearly 10st.

"By this division racing people will

have more variety of handicaps, which

will increase the interest in the sport and give light-weight boys a fair num- ber of races in which they can ride against the champions.

"The best should be no more barred

be willing to take on such a job, men, out than any other horses. There in of course, drawn from the same sec- no logical reason why we should tions of acciety as thono honorary always start at the lowest point and stewards of whom they owed av inuch, work up.”

Their duties would be threefold:,

(1) To watch racing carefully and that there was always even Justice and fair play;

ace

HANDICAPPED OUT.

By acceptinie both the descending and ascending scale a handleap could limit, working

William Osler finished the better" of the pair. I also liked the style of Music Hall and Banquet Hall (Ho Kom Tong). Thoy covered the last three quarters of a mile in 1-41, last half in 1-07, last quarter in 35, the intermediate quarter was a little too fast, seconds.

IMPROVES EACH OUTING Mrs, Dunbar's City of Seattle, and Mr. Dunbar's Oak Bay took the same time to cover a similar down to bat. 1015. or Sat. 121D. or it distance, but the gallop was a more ovon one, the watch showing 35 3/5 could be worked up from Gat, 7ib, to Dat. 101b. or Dat. 121. One method-1-08 3/5--1-41, last quarter

92 2/5,

(2) To help and advise executives start at Ost. as one in the framing of races, what modl. fications were necessary from timo to time in programmes of racing;

and

(3) By (hele expert advice to help the Stowards in deciding what casca aroko,

was as good as the other:

The combination of both would vary and enrich handicap racing.

"We all renline," he said, "that the

see some

I

THE KWANTI

MEETING

SOME GOOD AND BAD RUNNING

SEASON'S FIRST OVER STICKS

HOW THEY FARED

(By "Capt. Foster")

The opening Race Meeting at Kwanti last Sunday was an un- qualified success. The atten- dance was large and the finishes in the majority of events were good.

FOSTER

Tom Cobley (Mr. Jenkins) return- ing to the paddock after cloverly winning, the St. John's Cup event at Kwant. (Photo: Mee Cheung)..

For the Volunteers' Hurdle Race of one and a quarter miles, Mouche was made a pronounced favourite and he did not disappoint his fol lowers as he won comfortably. A feld of eight faced the Starter · and when the flag was dropped, Mouche at once assumed command. closely followed by White Stars The Gadwall-on whom Mr. Hope with the rest strung out in pro was riding confidently-shewed prontinently. Festival Eve cession line. At the half mile post, up White Stars, Social Mark and was soon beaten and à, vory fine Peter Davy closed in on the lea-race resulted between The Gad- dors, but Captain Potts gave his wall and Burgomaster, the former mount his head on entering the winning by a neck, Festival Eve straight and Mouche striding cast-filling the third place, bolag many y passed the winning post three lengths bohind.

The favourite Marquis Hall lengths ahead of White. Stare, with Brittanic Hall third four won the Taipo Steeplechase of one and a half miles, but it was lengths away..

not the tame race we had expected HOT TIP DISAPPOINTS. to see, as he was very-hard-press-.

ed to stave off a most resolute Festival Eve was a very hot tip challenge by Duke of Billan. for the New Year's Hurdle Race Marquis Hall took a big lead from of one and a quarter miles, but the start, and he still had a most sadly disappointed. Canary jump-commanding position when enter ed off with the lead, which being the straight. Duke of Millan, maintained until the three-quarter responding most gamely, come mile post, when he was joined by with a grand rush and was fast Burgumaster, who was galloping catching the now tiring "Marquia" strongly. Festival Eve flattered

at every stride. The finish was. by coming into the picture at the most exciting but the "Duko", just half mile post when it was appar failed to catch Mr. Stanton's ent that Canary was tiring fast. mount. I think another dozen Burgemaster led Festival Eve in strides would have changed the to the straight and at this point verdict. No Fear appeared to

gallop sourly and was never at any time in the race, finished a very poor third,

OLD "STAGER WINS. *

An old etager in Movanagher surprised many by easily winning the Tally Ho Hurdle Race of one and a half miles in a canter; and he was followed home by another ld-timer in Zephyr. The favour- ite Dunce never flattered at any art of the race and finished a oor third.

The St. John's Cup over two miles of Country, brought out the largest field-of-the-afternoon. Twenty poules came under the 3tarter's order, and they were soon fespatched on their journey, Mr. Hope promptly established a good lend on Red Leaves which he main- tained until the last hurdle, when ho was headed by Mr. Jonline on Tom Cobley (the favourite) who eventually won quite easily by

to * six lengths. Celerity came grief somewhere in the country, and yet managed to finish a good

Marquis Hall taking the last jump before winning the Taipo Stoople chase at Fanling, Mr. Stanton was the jockey. (Photor-Men Cheung).third.

Jockey Club's Autocracy

These griffins are doing much faster work and I think we shall fast times registered during the next fortnight. understand a regular "pow" took place last Sunday morning between fron Sides, Young Chap and BUT Cavalcade and they finished in that order.

WHAT A LESSON TO THE STATE

SAYS MR. TOM WALLS

They galloped over the Cham Mr. Tom Walls, who proposed the appointing thele own legislators, fric 'pion'a distance (1 miles) and toast of the Jockey Club at the tion and dissatisfaction took the place I gather that they finished very Gimcrack dinner, said it probably was of harmony and o:ntent, and as each weary in 2-52, but one cannot get the most autocratle body in the world Government succeeded the other they (Laugh- away from the fact that it was to-day and yet, according to all the found the principal item on the card

ethics of party construction, its etist the "Walt-and-Sea Stakes." a rattling good performance. ence was a presumption inasmuds as ter),"

THOSE HUMAN 'ILLS. The quarters were done 34 2/5—it was a self-appolifted and self-elicted

where about the year 1761 and took "In my fulsome praise of this auto- 321-09-1-44 1/6-2-17-2-62. Bold body which came into existence pme-

govern and legulate cratie body of noblemen and gentle- Commander is another pony which upon itself to has thkon my fancy, and I liked upon matters which to-day involved men," added Mr. Walls, "do not let it his last three quarter mile gallop millions of pounds and the livelhood be thought I consider they are int

maculate.

"The sport of horse-racing is not an very much, the time being 1-47 4/6. of thousands.

"It has, so far as I know," he con- with a finishing quarter-in 31 4/5,

as legal standing, and yet its affair of angels, and even the members tinued, and a lost half in 1-00 2/5.

Classic Hall took 1-45 to cover name represents the very eenco of of the Jockey Club are prone to the Ills "It has been said there are black similar distance, finishing well integrity. To incur the full displea- that human flesh is heir to.

aura of the Jockey Club and be warned cit Nowmarket Heath la social sleep in every fold. I should most. In 32 3/5.

The Carp is another pony which stigma which irreparably runs one's definitely hesitate to admit that, ap-

tho

although honour to toast, Mr. Soares'; Prima: Donna Im-improves with each gallop and I character and against which there la plied to the worthy body that I have proves with each outing. Sho put was very much taken with his stylo.no appeal."

Such was the power of this self-course, It is conceivable there might up a very nice gallop of a mile and when he joined Dawn, View last

flcently it worked in connction with "But the worst you can say about a half and finished full of running, Wednesday morning. for the last constituted body. Yet how magni- be a speckled-one in the flick.

tremendous business.

plebald or pale grey" (Laughter.) seconds, the last half in 1-05, the finished hard hold in 32 and hadi

If the day should ever come when How little friction there was and last three quarters 1-12 3/5, last the Derby candidate well beaton.

how wholeheartedly its judgment was to was hauled up before the powers mile in 2-22 3/6.

accepted by all who came under its that be, he would havo no fear if he pl it was was innocent that his pred namu would jurisdiction! What affairs of State could not b run with not be vindicatod. If he was guilty he Equal smothness and facilly.

krew Justice would be tempared with Where they had the opportunity of morey.

of

Montioning the fact that the Royal Commission on Lotteries and Belting recommended that certain concussions regarding ready money botting off the racoccurso should be made, his High- no hoped that if anything of that ro objections was very unsatisfactory, really good horse la being more and nature was contemplatod in regard to the speaker said it scomed unfair that more handicapped out'of winning the the, last quarter was done in 35 mile of n mits and a half gallop. He the irreat sport, which was also a tho best of un is that, wo are either

Commenting that the present rule

racer. a horno that had only interfered with starting pries botting something one cther horse in the race should bo Analagous to the French Pari-Mutuel

put last. Urbain should he permitted with the "Tote."

It could not possibly encourage gambling or the gambling spirit.

"I feel very strongly," he said, "that if the disqualified Horse has only inter- fored with one other horas, he should

•

"It Is one thing for a horse to carry Sat. and win, and it is quite another matter for a horso to carry Sat. Tib. to victory

away.

L

"As the weights increase, so does it be placed second. If with two, then become more and more diment for the ho should be put to third place; and

owner would healtate to run a good -"I should like to know," he naked, only if many hersen have been inter- Rood horses to win handicaps. Many what difference there is between fered with should the horse bo put horse if he had so much weight to give lotting the stay-at-home publie putlast." their money on through an agency or ** Some"-- owners always objccled; "In some countries like Italy the efice of the "Tote, or an agency and others never did. Some wished to handicaps are divided into two kinds. office of the bookmaker.

"I advecnto this system for keep riding free, from any element of

one which would "If one is barred the other should undue roughness, while others scumed handienon as the be, too, and if one is allowed I see no to think if unsporting to win a race wrobably work best for the future of

the sport of kings'." reason why the other might not exist." if there had been an objection.

Cur

Utopian also finished very strongly in a good canter of a mile and a half in 3-67 3/6, with a final burst in 32 3/5,

AUSTRALIANS.

Sporting Life went a fast gallop over a mile and three quarters, the total time being 37-1-11 1/5-1-43-2-16 3/5

Two fast gallops were reported 2-51 2/5-3-28 2/61-04 2/5, and I should say that this was to have been done last Sunday the best performance of the morning, and both came as a sur-High Finance who nebtlated fastor Inst Wednesday morning, mild and three quartos in 3-89, and he showed us a biste of his prise to me. week.

Empire Day took 2-28 to The details are 08-1-0-1-30 2/5 qualities by covering a mile and a The gallop reversed is not quite nogotiate the mile and a quarter-2-00 1/6-2-38-8-09/1/6-3-89. half In 36-1-00-1-41-2-18 3/5

The gallops of the thers were 2-463-16, running as smoothly as no good, viz:-37 1/6-1-11 4/5 the respective quarters being 1-46 2/5 2-17 1/5 — 2-51-2/5-29 8/6-5L 1/6-1-20 3/6-1-69 on the slow side and latha naturaz machine. Ve shall certainly bo

2-28.

of good healthy work, Bronze Era hearing a lot about im in duo 8-28 2/6.

Night Vlow showed up well in a

was allowed to strideout a little.time.

¿

The other gallon was that of