SPORTING NOTES.

Lake County Press, Issue 2135, 13 September 1906, Page 5

SPORTING NOTES.

[By "Peeping Tom."]

DATES OF MEETINGS

Oct. 24, 25.—Gore Racing Club. Nov. 9,lo.—Winton Jockey Club. Dec. 14, 15.-~Lake County Jockey Club. Dec. 21.—Alexandra Jockey Club. Dec. 20 and 27—Cromwell Jockey Club. Jan. I.—Wyudbam Racing Club. Jan. 1, 2.—Vinoent Jockoy Club. Jan. 2, 3.—Southland Racing Club. Jan. 9.—Wairio Jockey Club. Jan. 16, 17.—Gore Raoing Club. Jan. 24, 25.—Tapanui Racing Club. Mar. 20, 21.-Southland Racing Club, April 1, 2.—Rivorton Racing Club.

If we view horse-racing from every standpoint, we must all arrive at the same conclusion, viz. : That in every locality where a successful race-mooting is got oil* annually it becomes one of the important institutions of the district or county wherein it is held. There is no class of sport that brings a district into greater prominenco than horse-racing. Either directly or indirectly every member of the community derives benefit in a greater or lossor degroo. The large landholder who has no sympathy with the- sport at all will say that ho does not go to race meetings, does not believe in it at all, will not support it because he derives no benefit from it, judges our national pastime from a wrong standpoint. Racehorse owners and all the connections of a racing stable are large contributors to the public revenue. They support every industry in somo way or another. The railways, the customs, the saddler, the blacksmith, the builder, the silk-weaver, the shoemaker, tho fanner, the merchant, the baker, the butcher, tho hotelkoopor, tho chemist—in fact, it is difficult to name a single trade or industry that does not receive somo support from tho sport of horse-racing. The resident of Lake County who would bo foolhardy enough to make the assertion that "our district was played out and of no importance" would bring down upon his devoted head the rightful indignation of overy man who has a stake in the county and still believes that there is progress and a better future for all classcn of the community ahead of us. In my opinion, it would bo a bad advertisement for Lake County if the annual ranemeeting was allowed to die out. Twelve months ago, a large number of sportimj men and residents in overy part of the district worked hand in hand to get off a successful race-meeting. To the credit of the public be it said that they liberally supported the members of the Lake County Jockey Club in their laudable endeavor to revive the sport. The result was eminently satisfactory ; but we must not relax our efforts. An appeal is now being made to tho public and residents of the district to again stand loyally l>y the clul>, and it is to be hoped that the canvassers for tho Liko County Jockey Club will meet with a liberal response from residents in every contio. In Arrowtown tho sum subscribed has already reached a substantial amount.

Mi Dan Barnett is likely to send tho daughter of Legerity and Wild Wave to bo trained on tho Arrow racecourse if he can get suitable accomodation. This filly is very much on tho gross side at present, and needs to be put into active commission as early as possible. Mr Jack Fitzpatrick informs me that he expects Joe M'lhoy up very shortly. Joe will probably l>e entrusted with the pioparation of the four-year-old daughter of Ftosealgier and Jewel Case, and they will bo trained at Arrowtown.

Mr D. Richardson, the popular host of the Ballarat Hotel, will place his wellknown trotting stallion, General Babington, at tho service of breeders in this and the Wanaka districts this year. General Babington is a most symmetrically formed and even tern pored horse. He is a sum foal getter, and his stock all over tho district are remarkably promising. Mr J. Perriam, Cromwell, has sold Lieutenant J. to a Christchurch buyer at a satisfactory figure.

The Betting Market. Mr J. Louohwn, Box 336, Dunedin, reports tho following business : New Zealand Cur. 1200 to 30 Chnorka 1000 800 750 500 400 400 Nkw Zicai.and Cur and Stewauds. 900 to 6 Auratus and Munjoot 800 750 500 _ 3 Field Gun and Cross Battery 400 8 Boomerang and Cross Battery Mklbouknk Cur. 300 to 8 Dividend 250 200 0 Blue Spec 150 150