SPORTING.

Press, Volume LXIV, Issue 19459, 5 November 1928, Page 14

SPORTING.

RACING FIXTURES. J»"oTCU.b<r o, 7, 10— Canterbury J.C. November ?, 10— Whangarci R.C. November 14, 15— Winton J.C. November 17—Lovin R.C. KoTcmbcr 17—Waipukurau R.C. >."evember 17, 10—Cromwell J.C. November 21, 22—Otaki-Maori R.C. >'ov«nber 23, 34—South Canterbury J.C. November 24, 20—To Kuiti B.C. Norember 30tb, Dec. I—Takapuna J.C. JCoreraber 30, Dec. 1— Feilclin,j J.C. TROTTING FIXTURES.

JCovember 6, 8, 9—.Metropolitan T.C. November 17, 21—Otahuhu T.C. No-, ember 21—Wellington T.C. November 2D, Dec I—Forbury Park T.C. December I—Wnikato T.C. December 15, 17-Xew Brighton T.C. December 2C-Gore T.C. December 20—Ashburton T.C. December 'JC, 27—South Wairarapa T.C. December L'fl, 27—Westport T.C. December 27, 20, 31—Auckland T.C. Deeember 20—Winton T.C. Dfccrnber 31—Inangahua T.C. TURF GOSSIP. Nominations for the South Canterbury Meeting close to-morrow, It was not generally known that Kilverniinc narrowly missed being disqualified for the Stewards' Handicap awing to his rider weighing in two and a half pounds above his weight of &V 4, which was half a pound over the limit ullowed. Fortunately for those eoneern«>d, a half pound overweight was dedared, when weighing out, and this Hived tho situation. It transpired that the rider, who had been wasting to get down to his weight, had a cup of tea after weighing out and the fact that fjilvennine perspired a good deal, also contributed towards the extra poundage.

After Oratrix ran second in the A.J.C. Metropolitan Handicap with 7-11, it was generally conceded she was literally thrown into the New Zealand Cup with 7-1, but the latter handicap was declared l>efore the Randwick vent came up for decision. On previous performances, Oratrix was in her right place in tho list, as on her previous visit to Rigcarton, she ran third the Great Autumn Handicap with 7-1 to Hynanna 9-6, and Lndy Despond 7-9, while those behind her included Rapier 0-9 and Set Sail 843. Rapier was dropped 91b for tho Cup, and Set Sail a stone, whilff Oratrix remained on the same mark. No other course was open for the handicapper, and probably if she had not been placed in the Sydney race, in which on Tier New Zealand performances she was not by any means well treated with 7-11, lief Cup impost would not have given rise to discussion.

The rider of Hoylake in the Now Zealand Oup on Saturday came in for some adverse criticism for his handling of the horse, but all the blame could not be laid upon him. Hoylake lias always been a hard horse to control and it would have taken a strong man to have steadied him over the Brst mile. His pilot endeavoured to give liim a breather at the end of a mile and a half but ho Btated after the race that when the field closed on hitßi hlB mount very nearly ran off the course, and when straightened up again, he onco more ran away from Jiis pursuers. If it had been possible to have given him the desired respite at this stage and reserved the run he made ropnd the home turn until the straight wan reached, lie would have made the win» ner's task a much more formidable, one, Hoylake'B recent track work wade racegoers prepared for a good performance in the race, but few expected to eee him spreadeagle the field in # BUcb a decisive manner, until his stamina was undermined. One effect of bis tactics was to jeopardise the chances of many of the other candidates, and he thus spoilt what might otherwise baye been n closely-contested race. In all probability Hoylake will contest the Auckland Cup on Boxing Pay. Rapier was considered the unlucky horse in the New Zealand Cup. With his pace, it was thought he should have made a forward move at" least four furlongs from homd, but his rider delayed calling ofa him until approaching the three furlong post. At this pomp Orotrix moved tip, and Pink Note endeavoured to go with her, but in making the attempt, the latter went over on to Rapier who was temporarily put out of his stride. He took time then to settle down, and it was not until headed for home that he got dotfn to serious work, but the run wasu left too late, Rapier was probably never in netter form than on Saturday, and was little distressed on coming in, but the same could not be said for bis, rider, who had a trying task from the top of the straight. The success of Honour on Saturday unset all calculations of two-year-old form and the Limond colt will now be elevated to the top division. H* will certainly invest coming events with much interest,'and those trainers with visions of capturing the Great Northera Foal Stakes at Christmas have reason now to be much less optimistic Ampngst those who declined their engagements in to-day's Metropolitan Handicap were Star Stranger 9.13, Rapier 9.12, Laughing Prince 9.3, Commendation 9, and Footfall 8.12.. CLUB EMPLOYEES ARRESTED. (VKITZD PBJfSS ASSOCIATION—BT EUECTBJC TIUtQEATK—COPTRIOFT.) (Received November 4th, 5.5 p.m.) SYDNEY, November S. Five men, including club employees, were arrested at the Moorefield Racecourse on a charge of conspiring to defraud the club by manipulating the turnstile and reselling admission tickets.—Australian Press Association.