Sporting Gossip.

Alexandra Herald and Central Otago Gazette, Issue 653, 9 December 1908, Page 5

Sporting Gossip.

•' [Br " Nbmo."] ALEXANDRA JOCKEY CLUB. Handicaps. The following handicaps have been declare.', for the above club's meeting, to be held on Friday, 18 .hj iust: Alexandra Handicip, six furlongs.— shay 8.9, Prince Loris 7.8, Spider 7.8. Red Morn 9 0, Post Cird'B.9, RonaldFlying Handicip, five furlongs Imaginary 90, Red Morn 8.8, Post Card 8.3, Spider 7.7, Benzoic 7.3. Central Ocago Trot, two ujiied.— Separator scratch, Lie tie George ssecs, Whisper 6, Yeoman 12, Harold's Childe 12, Liuradale 18, Helios 20, Tierpont 22, Boojam 24, Grey Duck 32, Turtle Dove 32, Glen Cannich 32. Although toe nominations received for -he principal events at the forthcoming meeting or the Alexandra Jockey Club ate not large, they, c >mpare favorably with those of previous years. A field of five has entered for eica of the two handicaps, whilst the two trots each include 11 and 12 horses. The clnb's handiaapper (Mr George Rivers) has compiled his handicaps in such an excellent manner hat the winners are carefully concealed from public view, and the more one looks idto the handicaps the mor puzzling does the picking >ippe*r Fhe et -iss represented in the handicaps is not of a particularly high standard, but both races, including as they do such wall-known p -rformers as Red

Morn, Imaginary, Post Oard, R maidshay aad other smart sprinters should provide inters-sting gallop'. The big trot has fi led exceedingly well, although the mile aod a-half shows a shrinkage compared with, last year. Still there is ample material engaged, and as some smart-gaited horses figure in the lis-, with the handicaps giving every satisfaction, there i 3 every prospect of fair fl-dd* in bjth events. So far there seems every likelihood of an increase in hack nominations, and the fact of these events having large fields engaged in them their numerical strength alone will create a considerable amount of interest in their issue. One would have been pleased to see larger fields in the handicap events, bat no doubt the counter attractions by way of the near approach of other meetings have debarred several owners from entering. Th's year the club has made a departure in alloting the working of the totalisator to Mr W. F. Jamea, of D jaedin, and the pres -nee of thia well-known and highly qualified totalisator proprietor, with an efficient staff, lends additional interest to the meeting. Taken all round, the card is decidedly attractive, and it only requires good weather for the club to experience a successful meeting. I am pleased to notice the names of several good outside sportsmen amongst the nominators at our annual meeting. Thi presence of Messrs G. Ruthven, P. Hogan, R. Moore, 0. White, W. Stringer, J. Sheehy, and many others is a matter for congratulation Chief amon* the new owners to these parts is Mr A. F. Roberts, the genial manager of Teviot Station, who is a real typical sportsman, and I cannot do better than wish him success at our mee'ing. Amongst the trotting owners appears Mr R. Jopp's name, an I thia popular Southland sport is baund to have " a hot 'un."

The big trot Bhould p-ovide a keen race. With Separator, Little George, Whisper, Yeoman, Harold's Ohilde, Lauradale, Helios, Phrpont all ia close attendance, the betting should b .- .pretty heavy, whilst the iimh m .riers are bound* to attract attention. 1 look to see a red good race, and a close finish. Owners are reminded that nominarions for th-a principal events to be run at the Vincent Jockey Club's race meowing oi January Ist and 2nd cose with the secretary this evening. The annual racos of the Lake County

Jockey Olub take place to-morrow and Friday, and given good weather this meeting should prove one of the most' successful yet held by the club for some years, as excellent nominations have been received. All members of the local club are requested to visit the course tomorrow afternoon, when a working bee will be formed to improve any bad defects in the track. The course proper is in fair order, and given a day's rain before the meeting a vast improvement will be effected on the going.