Sporting Gossip.

Alexandra Herald and Central Otago Gazette, Issue 701, 10 November 1909, Page 5

Sporting Gossip.

[By " Ncino."] GOLDFJ ELDS' FIXTURES. Lake County—December '.' and 10. Alexandra—Decern bo r 17. Cromwell —December 27 and 2S. Vincent—-January 1 and 3. Nominations. Lake County—November 27. Alexandra—November 27. Viucent— I )eccmber 4. Cromwell—December !). A meeting of the 'Alexandra Jockey Club will be held in the Caledonian Hotel on Friday evening next at 7.30 p.m. Business important.

With the approaching golJlields' meetings interest in the " sport of kings " naturally assumes a prominent stage, and speculations are rife as to whether the efforts of the various clubs will be attended with more than the average success. Liberal programmes have been hung up by the four racing clubs, and the principal events are all richly endowed with prize-money. Sufficient inducement has been extended the ordinary provincial horses—for Otago horses are only of an ordinary class—to make a tour of our Central Otago meetings, aud it is hoped that some of the owners around Dunedin may N be prevailed upon to give the country clubs their patronage during the forthcoming season. At the D.j C. meetings many horses constantly figure in the hack and welter events, and invariably are placed amongst the list of " also starteds." At no part of the race are they in the hunt, especially at the business end, and it is this class of horse that would prove a valuable acquisition to country meetings. Their appearance would lend an additional interest to the handicap events, for whilst they are of an inferior type of metropolitan horse they would rank as top-notchers at country meetings. The clubs in Central Otago may well combine in an endeavor to raise the standard oi country racing, and by once securing the patronage of owners of the class of horses to which I refer there is every probability that increases in stakes will be more readily adopted. With ' railway communication the facilities for travailing are more rapid than former years, and I feel certain that if owners extended their patronage to goldlields' clubs more freely racing in the interior would receive much-needed impetus. Rumor is Current that several owners intend patronising the country meetings this season for the first time, and should they fulfil their intentions those intending patrons may rest assured their advent into the racing arena in these parts will be received with much appreciation by the clubs concerned.

As showing the sporting instincts of certain individuals it may here be mentioned that in order to fulfil an engagement at the Metropolitan Trotting Club's meeting in Christchurch yesterday Mr J Richardson, our weil known trotting rider, left here on Sunday morning. Cycling to Lawrenee, he boarded the early train for Dunedin on Monday, where he caught the second express for Christchurch. Mis mission was to ride Mine Yet in the Spring Handicap, run yesterday, a tribute which goes to prove " Ritchie's " prowess in the saddle.

Turtle Dove has again gone amiss, and has been put out of active work. 1 understand that Mr Marslin intends to mate the Rothschild mare to Cjuincey. He has a ■ full sister to Turtle in light work, and the j-year old iilly is a little beauty, sliows great promise, and should repay her owner when the time comes for starting.

Harold's Childe is looking the picture of health, although somewhat on the big side. Mr Nieper intends nominating the King Harold gelding for Lne tAjrbury meeting. 1 am afraid he will not be far enough forward by the end of this month. G.P.R., in the same stable, is also doing jogging exercise, both horses being under the able supervision of " Broncho."

Mr S. Cameron has Whisper and a gelding by Geo. M. Pateheu m work ; whilst Mr J. Sanders, a new addition to our local sporting tratornity, has two promising trotters in active work. One, a grey gelding by King Harold-Maiva, is pleasing to the eye. Theora is doing useful work at Galloway, and is expected to make a bold bid for winning honors over snort distances this season. Eleata LJ will also bea contestant in the mile races. The programmes for the Alexandra meeting have been issued and by now will be in the hands of all owners and the public generally throughout the province. Tins only alteration from last year is the additional furlong to the Alexandia Handicap, the distance being seven furlongs. The club has the promise of patronage from several outside owners, and the handicap events promise to Jill freely. Nominations for the principal events close on Saturday, 27th inst. Mr J. Rivers has been appointed secretary of the club vice Mr L. Ryan, who is leaving the district.