Stewards

Question
I'm not sure if this falls in line with your expertise, but you were the closest I could get. I read in a James Clavell novel ("Gai-Jin") about "the Steward's Box" in regards to the Hong Kong Horsetrack. What was the Steward's Box and is there still such a thing as a Steward and a Steward's Box?

Answer
yes, stewards are the referees of racing...most u.s. racetracks have at least three stewards which uphold the rules and standards, whatever they are, of racing. in the u.s., there is not a stewards' box as such, but they sit in a portion of the pressbox reserved for them to review action on the racetracks. they also have the benefit of video cameras placed around the racetrack. stewards are very important in american racing. they enforce all of the rules and make judgement calls as to infractions on the race track.