Chronicle (Adelaide, SA : 1895 - 1954), Thursday 11 January 1934, page 17


VICTORIAN RACING ON THE IMPROVE

Increased Stakes And Attendances

From Our Special Correspondent

MELBOURNE, January 9.

\\71TH the beginning of 1934 tUe turf '' in Victoria enters a period of brighter prospects than since the early days of the depression. This year, Which marks the Victorian centenary, will, it is hoped, place the sport on the best footing it has seen since the aftermath of the war and the economic

disabilities which caused attendances to drop. Indications are that an all round revival of the sport is certain in the next twelve months. Practically every meeting listed for the immediate future is marked with an increase in stake money. Not only in Victoria, but in some of the other States, is this upward trend noticeable. j The A.J.C. has increased.prize-money i lor several of the events at its autumn meeting, and with the bookmakers in Adelaide the general impression is that racing will flourish. Victorian racing will really come Into its own next spring. Of course there is the autumn and winter carnivaLs yet to be decided, but it will be at Centenary time that the greatest events of the Australian turf for many years will be decided. The VJtt.C. has already decided to add £10,000 to the Centenary Melbourne Cup; the Caulfield Club has increased the prize for its cup; and other clubs in the metropolitan area, as well as some of the provincial bodies, have also fellen into line. The Bendigo Cup is likely to

be a £1,000 handicap, and the Ballarat Cup is practically certain to be worth £500. Attendances have improved out of sight in recent months. The 6pring carnivals were well patronised, but the crowds that attended in 1933 will be nothing to the masses that will congregate at Flemington and Caulfield during the Centenary celebrations. Wet Day At Ascot Now that the holiday meetings are over there is a lull in Melbourne racing. Down the line meetings and fixtures of little account in the way of charity and compensation fixtures are in vogue, but it will not be long before we are again in the throes of the autumn campaign. The Oakleigh Plate and Futurity meeting at Caulfield will be held towards the end of next month, and will be followed by the three days' carnival at Flemington when the Newmarket and Australian Cup will be the features. Last Saturday rain fell heavily, especially during the afternoon, just when most people had decided to visit Ascot. Had conditions been the same during the morning the committee

wouia nave naa no option but to postpone the meeting. As it was the attendance was affected, and many people left the course immediately the £500 was decided. Naturally the tote suffered in consequence, and the club is not likely to show much' profit. Gold Bag, a useful galloper, revelled in the heavy going at Ascot, and led all the way in the £500, which was run over a mile. Favorite was the veteran Harry Gavin, who seems to have lost his sprinting ability, and is now being tried over longer distances. He had every chance, but was not good enough, and finished last. Melbourne Suspensions The ranks of depleted first-class riders in Melbourne were increased during the week, when H. Badger was suspended by the stewards at Epsom for two months. Badger has appealed to the V.R.C. Committee. With Duncan, O'Brien, Badger, and several others out of action younger riders and visitors to the State have found golden opportunities. One is the Sydney apprentice, D. Lightfoot, who since he arrived in Melbourne last spring has done exceptionally well. At Mornington,. last week a Melbourne jockey was disqualified for two years following the running of the Hurdle Race. This was G. McMahon who does not obtain much riding. He was found guilty of not trying to win the race on Red Blade, who, after being a long way back, finished fast In second place behind Karl Brugi. This was one of the severest sentences imposed by the stewards for some considerable time.