LESS BETTING

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 85, 4 January 1940, Page 9

LESS BETTING

Decline Over Holidays NOTES AND COMMENTS Wellington Entries Tomorrow

(By

The Watcher.)

The totalizator being generally accepted as the financial barometer of the people, there has been a decisive trend downward this Christmas and New Year. The only place where there was an increase was at Ellerslie, but there were circumstances connected with the Auckland meeting this time that were conducive to increased investments. Win and place betting operated as against the single pool last year, and it has been proved that wherever win and place supplants the old system more money is handled. A significant feature of the week at Auckland was the decrease shown in the trotting club's turnover, where the same system of betting prevailed as 12 months ago. In districts where there was no floating or visiting holiday population some of the turnovers were substantially below 12 months ago. Fine weather was universal and there were large crowds, but it is very plain that the public purse is shrinking. The investments, however, were still ahead of the 1937-38 season. Beau Vite and Beaulivre.

The superiority shown by Beau A ite over Beaulivre at Auckland did not surprise Trentbam, for Beau Vite did splendidly after his return from Australia and developed into a muscular and well conditioned colt. Though defeated, Beaulivre was far from disgraced, and as was the case when they were two-year-olds, there does 'not appear a great deal between them, Beau Vite being the better stayer. This is not surprising on breeding. It Beau Vite returns to Australia in the autumn he will offer much stiffer opposition to Reading and High Caste than in the spring. The Juveniles. The holiday racing would seem to give the two-year-old palm to Lou Rosa, as he proved capable of decisively defeating the Welcome Stakes winner Doria, who so decisively beat the Wellesley Stakes winner Enrich in the spring. Two good youngsters came to light at Manawatu in Sir Beau and Air Flight, and it will not be surprising if Sir Beau winds up the season near the top of the tree. All going well, this year’s* Wellington Stakes will bo an interesting race, Notium Improved. One of the outstanding feats of the New Year racing was the decisive defeat inflicted by Notium on the Manawatu Cup winner Du Maurier in the Stratford Cup, while Friesland was also among his victims. Notium has made substantial improvement since being purchased by Mr. J. F. Kiley. Kaced Without Luck. Siegmund raced well during the holidays and with any luck he would have been a winner. No doubt he will be one of the aspirants for the Centennial Cup. Only One Can Win. According to all one hears, there are ' several horses “waiting” for the Wellington Centennial Cup. Most of them will still be waiting after it is won. In Form.

Laughing Lass is in good form and she is also showing signs of running on a lot

better. She will most likely be a competitor in the Wellington Cup.

Wiggins Fined and Cautioned. When the jockey H. N. Wiggius took up a wrong barrier position on Royal Descent in the Midsummer Handicap on the third day of the Auckland Racing Club’s summer meeting he was fined £5 by the starter and the stewards also gave him a strong caution, intimating that any repetition of the offence would be severely dealt with.

It Is Not Easy. The Stratford demonstration emphasises how possible it is to have bad luck in any department of racing. Only those who have the responsibility of official duties fully realize the difficulties.

Racing Conference. I The duties of the president of the New Zealand Racing Conference will be carried out by the vice-president, Mr. A. S. Elworthy, till the annual meeting of delegates in July next.

Jockey’s Injuries. The Australian jockey H;’ M. G. Challinder suffered more extensive injuries than were ar first apparent when his mount Equity threw him shortly after the start of the maiden event on the first day at Wairarapa. He believed that he was only bruised on being brought back to the jockeys’ room, but. at the weekend he was removed to. hospital for further observation. He was taken away from the course on Saturday before an inquiry could be instituted into the cause of the mishap, though it was fairly apparent that the spill was due more to the fractiousness of his mount at and just after the start than to any interference from other horses.

Wellington Centennial Meeting. ■With the holiday racing over it will not be long before the Wellington centennial meeting is here. Nominations will close with Miss Bray at 5 o'clock tomorrow, when forfeits are also due for the Wellington Stakes.

Money Stays Home. Auckland horses scooped the pool in the first class handicaps and sprints this Christmas and New Year, the visitors failing to get beyond places. This is unusual for an Auckland summer meeting. Kathhella was the only visiting horse to win a handicap on the flat, and Clarion Call won a hurdle race.

Answers to Correspondents. “Inquirer,” Masterton: We have been rather a long time answering your query of December 4, but it has entailed a search through the records. Mr. Riddiford had no record of a Siegfried mare at the dispersal sale of the Brentwood stock, but we are of the opinion that it will be the 1932 or 1933 bay filly by Siegfried out of Bay View, by Leighton—Bayou, by Demosthenes or Feramorz —Bayonne (imp.), by Bayardo. Mr. Riddiford informs me that he remembers the eale of this mare at Masterton but he had no record of its breeding. “Sport,” To Horo: (1) £4/18/6; £1 10/-. (2) £6/1/6; £l/19/6. “R.P.,” Lower Hutt: (1) £l/10/-. (2) £l/15/-. (3) £B/17/-; £3/1/6. (4) £3 17/-; £l/13/-. (5) £l/13/-. (6) £2 2/-. (7) 11/6. “Curious,” New Plymouth: £B/9/-. “Old Sport,” Otaki Railway: (1) £4 18/6; £l/10/-. (2) £l/13/-. (3) £1 13/-. (4) £l/9/6. (5) £6/1/6; £l/19/6. (6) £6/16/6; £2/5/6. “Subscriber,” Palmerston North: £1 13/-. R.J.: £5/3/- and, £2/7/6. FIXTURES January 6, B—Reef-ton J.C. January 12,13—Vincent J.C. January 18, 20,22— Wellington R.C. January 20,22 —Thames J.C. . January 22— Ashhurst-Pohangma B.C. January 20 —Watrlo J.C. January 26, 27—Pahlatua R.C. January 27, 29—Auckland R-C.