SPORTING.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume X, Issue 1838, 26 January 1888, Page 2

SPORTING.

RACING FIXTURES.

NEW ZEALAND.

February 2, and 4 — Wellington Racing Club Summer Meeting. February 22 and 23— Egmont Racing Club Autumn Meeting March 16, 17 — Hawke's Bay Jockey Club. April 3 — Auckland Racing Club. April 12 and 13 — Taranaki Jockey Club Autumn Meeting. June 9 — Auckland Racing Club. June 21 — Hawke's Bay Jockey Club.

Notes by Tbident.

The local horses are busy training for the forthcoming meeting, which is fixed for the 22nd and 23rd of February ; and the course presents a lively appearance now of a morning. Huapehu, i hear, has been doing some good work, and his ower is satisfied with the impost (7st) his horse has to carry in the Egmont Handicap. This is the only local horse engaged in the big event of the meeting. Dick Turpin, another son of Castoff, is receiving nis preparation at the hands of Aleck Cameron, and is a candidate for the illegitimate game ; and both his owner and trainer are satisfied that they have got something out of the common in Dick. Jetsam, also a Castoff, has been getting through some very good work, and showing a fair turn of speed. His owner fancies he has a show in some of the events for which he will be sent. Dauntless, a two-year old daughter of The Dauphin, is also in training, and will make her debut in the Sapling Race. Karewa, by Natator — Clematis, and Jubilee, the hurdle candidate, are also being prepared to take their part in the Egmont racing carnival. Karewa, I notice, has been nominated for the Flying, but it is unlikely that he will sport silk in that race. There are several hacks in training, which, altogether make up a good string for racing honors, and I hope that some of them will be lucky enough to first catch the judge's eye. I had intended reviewing the handicaps, but now I think it better to postpone my remarks until after the acceptances. I understand that Clogs is fancied for the big money by the Aucklanders, and the daughter of Leolinus is almost certain to be present at the meeting here. She has scored a good many "wins of late, as well as getting second place in the last Auckland Cup. Shotover, who is nominated for the Hurdles and Steeplechase is not likely to journey this way ; and the same remark will apply to Balista, by Musket — Ouida (therefore sister to Artillery, the Canterbury Cup winner of 1886). This filly has Been running well forward in Auckland this season, and I had a

sneaking regard for her., Lady Norah, Tetford, and Cinderella have gone to Wellington, having passed through here on Wednesday, to take part in the meeting there on the 2nd and 4th of next month ; and it will depend somewhat on their success or non-success at the Hutt Park meeting as to whether they will return here or not. Germaine, by her win at Foxton, has incurred a penalty of slbs for the Egmont Handicap, which brings her weight up to 7st 91b, and spoils any chance which she may have had in this race. Her journey, I anticipate, will be for the Hurdles. Warama, the Napier mare, incurs a like penalty ; and Tier weight is now 6st 91b, a very light impost indeed for a four-year-old, which should not trouble her much if she is sent for the Egmont Handicap. She won the Tauranga Stakes, of 300 soys., two miles, carrying 7st 81b, in 3m. 4155. ; also the Tradesman's Handicap of 100 soys. ; and Bronte, by Anteros — My Idea, owned by the same gentleman, won the Maiden Plate at that meeting. "Martini," in the Kew Zealand Mail, says that Tongariro is " let in very light in both the big race and the Flying Handicap," and seems to think that there is nothing else in the Egmont Handicap, and also must be a tough customer to beat in the Flying. Another sporting scribe, reviewing the handicaps, says there is nothing in. the Egmont Handicap but Laurel. I prefer Strenuous to either one of the two foregoing horses ; albeit, there is a doubt about his ability to get to the end of a two-mile journey. The son of St. George will have to put up 51b in the Flying for his Foxton win. There was a tough struggle at the finish for the Foxton Handicap, and the I whips were freely used on the three ? laced horses, Germaine, Strenuous, and 'ongariro. The others were beaten off.

In view of late cable news with reference to the disqualification of two of the leading jockeys on the English turf, the following significant paragraph, which appeared in a recent number of the English. Sporting Times is not without interest: — From a side source — in which, however, I fancy supreme confidence may be reposed — it has come to my knowledge that there is little going on in the way of scandalous malpractices among jockeys, or for that matter any others following the business of racing in any of its branches, that is not thoroughly well known to the stewards of the Jockey Club, who are determined to become masters of the situation sooner or later. To do this, however, they mnst wait such time as they can act upon certainty rather than suspicion, and it is pretty well known that certain, persons are already marked for treatment when opportunity serves. It is all very well for outsiders to be continually complaining at the rotten state of affairs at present existing, and in their haste upbraiding the authorities for want of decisive action. The time is not far distant when the big foot will come down with a crash upon sundry offenders, or I am sadly misinformed, and then there will be some weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth. In the meanwhile, they are only being allowed sufficient rope wherewith to hang themselves, and it is very likely that the weight of authority will make itself felt when the various licenses are applied for next year.