SPORTING.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17950, 18 November 1918, Page 9

SPORTING.

NEWS AND NOTES. ! •Tlie Canterbury Jockey Chib has 1 been hit hard by the influenza epidemic. Mr W. H. E. Wanklyn, tiie secretary, is carrying on single-handed at the office at present, his two assistants, who had to go home on the Inst day or the recent race meeting, being still absent from duty. The position at the course is also bad, the* caretaker and all but ono member of his staff being laid up with the malady. The A sir h urst-Pch a r.g i r.a Racing Club's meeting was to have been held next Wednesday, but on account of the influenza epidemic it has been postponed for a. week, with the possibility of a further postponement being necessary. The Wellington hamiicappor. Mr H. Coyle, who was attacked by .influenza while visiting Auckland for the Avondale Jockey Club's meeting, has now recovered. All manner of rumours were afloat, early in the week regarding prominent horsemen aud trainers having died ns the result of the influenza scourge, says the “ New Zealand Herald/’ but happily, in most races, the rumours proved to be incorrect. However, sportsmen will regret to learn that L. Morris, private trainer to Dr Beveridge, passed away at R camera last Tuesday, after a few days’ illness. Morris was a very successful 1 light-weight horseman a. few years back when serving his apprenticeship with M. M’Grath. at Masterton, which trainer gained fame, as tho mentor of Wallalo and other horses in Victoria aftor it great run of successes in New Zealand. After leaving M’Grath’s employ, the late L. Morris camo to Auckland and experienced u fair share of success as a horseman before entering ,Dr Beveridge’s employ as private trainer. Influenza continues to play sad havoc at the various Riceartoa stables. The biggest or tho local training establishments, that of Cutts Bros., has been bit particularly hard, nearly all the stablo hands being confined to bed. Tho horses have not been on the track sinco tho close of the Canterbury Jockey Club’s meeting, their daily routine consisting of feed and a run in the paddock. The interruption in tho ferry service has delayed the departure of the North Island trainers to their homes. Most of them have now got away, but the influenza epidemic has kept some at Iliecarton. J. T. Jamieson is detained through tlie illness of his wife, while P. Tilley is unable to get away on account of nil his lads being down with the malady. Victorian sportsmen claim that Magpie, who defeated Desert Gold in the Melbourne Stakes this month, is the best horse ever sent to Australia from j England for racing purposes. j The Melbourne-owned pacer, Emin- | ent, who won the Richmond Trotting Thousand at Melbourne two. years ago, was again successful in the same event this month. On each occasion lie was driven by J. J. Kennerley, who brought the son cf Emulator to Christchurch three years ago, and won the Courtenay Handicap at Addington, covering j the two miles in 4mm 35 3-s?ec. l i WINTER RACING. ! ! VETO WITHDRAWN. j By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright, ! Ranter's Totsgrema. ! LONDON. November li. | The Government veto on winter racing has been withdrawn. !