SPORTING.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17264, 4 September 1916, Page 11

SPORTING.

NEWS AND NOTES. The Southland Baring Club has decided that in future the positions of judge and clerk of the scales shall be filled by paid officials. The New Zealand Cup candidate, Welcome Nugget, is said to be doing nicely in his preparation for spring engo gcnients. There are some large teams in commission in Australia at present. One of the biggest is that of James Scobie, who has thirty horses in his string at Flemington. George Matthews has been granted a trainer's license by the Dunedin Jockey Club. He has been associated with the Elderslie stud for several years and he will no doubt act as private trainer to Mr J. R. Reid, who has laid out a track at Eldorslie. Matthews was a. well known rider in his day and later he acted as private trainer to Mr J. B. R-eid when that gentleman had Gladsome and other horses at Canowie, Lp~ per Riccarton. Twelve sons of Carbine were included on tho list of winning sires in Australia, last season, and their descendants captured stake-money to the extent of £45,929. It was feared some little time hack that Jack Delaral was done for as a racer, but the game little bay has been rocommissioned at.Ellerslie, and hopes are entertained that he will stand a preparation. Mullingar has been striding along attractively in his work. aDfl he is evidently to be given au opportunity to distinguish himself at Arondale. His form at. Avondale will prolwbly decide tho question whether it. is advisable to continue his engagement in the New Zealand Cup. t Colonel Sou It continues to make satisfactory progress in his preparation, and he should be quite ready for early spring engagements. These include the New Zealand Cup. for which he has received some support.

The Auckland sportsman, Mr Thomas Clegg, was present to see his horse Troublesome win the Adelaide Grand National Steeplechase, on Saturday last. A private cablegram received in Auckland indicated that the victory of Mr Alison's cast-off resulted in a good win to Mr Clegg, who is a part-owner of Try Fluke, and who netted a nice win when that gelding won the Prince of Wales Handicap at Ellerslie in Juno. Troublesome is a six-year-old gelding by Spalpeen—Laodice. Royal Rufus, the five-year-old son of King Rufus and Liquify, who has been racing in Australia during the past threo seasons, has been retransported to New Zealand, and he now forms ono of John Villliamson's team in training at Ellerslie. Royal Rufus figures amongst the entrants for tho Avondale Cup, so that there is a gopd prospect of his being seen under silk at an early date.

At a meeting of the committee of the' North Canterbury and Oxford .Tookey Club, held on Friday evening, Mr H. Butland, tho West Coast starter, was appointed to act in that capacity at the club's annual meeting for the 'gallops, and Mr K. Reynolds was appointed starter for the trots, Tt was decided to close tho racecourse for training operations for a short time before race clay. .

NEW ZEALAND METROPOLITAN TROTTING CLUB.

1 The following 1 handicaps have been dec!ar>d- for tho ■ ; XEW ZEALAND TROTTING CUP, of 2300 •sovs. Two miles. In harness.

Gold Bell tcr Jinglo 24yds Mrusderene . nor Evelyn 24vds Succeed ' . ecr SUel Boll 24yds Brown Bell . per Erin's Kir.;,' . 24yds Eccentric scr Eminent 24yds Fraudocia . . ser Cathedra 1 Jew?! Chimes sci - Chimes 36ydB St Ursula scr Bens Pointer 36yds Yards behind. Tommy C. . 48vds Persuader 12yds Admiral Wood 72yds Ravcnschild . 12vd« Don Coasar 81yds Wallace Wood 12yds* Country Beile 108yds Adelaido Direct !2vtl» Our Tborpo . 108yds Emilius 12vds