SPORTING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 10428, 28 April 1897, Page 5

SPORTING.

DEATH OF THE STALLION NECKERSGAT. Press Association.lClectric Telegraph.—Copyrietit. Adelaide, April 29. The well-known stallion Neckersgat was found dead in his box at Morphetville. fNeckersgat was one of the most valuable stallions in Australia. He sired a large number of brilliant performers, amongst which was the Melbourne Cup winner Dunlop.] VICTORIA AND THE TOTALISATOR. Melboorne, April 27. The V.R.C. Committee, by a large majority, decided to strongly support the introduction of the totalisator, and to ask for the co-operation of country clubs. The Australasian, who throughout has been a warm espouser of the cause of the totalisator, in a recent issue says :— Where the totalisator flourishes the prizes are always good, and the whole tendency of good stakes is to discourage heavy betting. In England it is constantly pointed out that the days of heavy gambling have gone, never to return, and that the cause of the change to mild speculation is the raising of the stakes. Men of the Lord Rosebery and Duke of Portland class have no cause to bet as the Marquis of Hastings and his set betted in 1866, when half the prizes were plates worth from £oU to £100. Even our large owners in Victoria and New South Wales are getting very tired of the present system of betting, and there are very few of them who would not he glad to see our Parliament follow the South Australian and New Zealand example with regard to the totalisator."

WELLINGTON RACING CLUB'S MEETING. Wellington, Tuesday. The following are the acceptances for the Wellington Racing Club's meeting :—

FIRST DAY. Waiwetb Handicap. Seven furlongs.-Mlser, Hillstone, Undine, Return, St. Klrao, On "it. Thompson Handicap One milo.-tiolden Spur, Waiuku, St. Paul, Strathbraan, Mannlicher, Barshot, Lorelei, Miser, Leila, Loveshot, Marino, Pompom, Boreas. Sylvi. Park. Hurdle Handicap. One mile and three-quarters.-Much Ado ami Flirt. Welter Handicap. One mile ana a furlong.Lotion, IlilMoiif, Nero, Vltigmir. Hack Handicap, "lie miK-Warnote, Muscalelle, Guardsman. Whaiio, niiamibanea, Crescent, Roseleaf. Yellow Ruse, R*dara, Saltatnri.l. Lady Acnes, Listener, Major, Stockade, Winnie, Sh-rwooil, Rauoo. Second Railway Handicap, Six furlonw.Onldspnr, Strathbraan, Arquebus, Boreas, 8jl«la Park. Umslopaeaas, Undine, St. Klran, On Bit. Maiden Hacks. Six furlongs.-In 'he Swim, Thunder, M let. S iltatorial. Sherwood, Sabrenr, Lady Mary, Te Kooti, Master Hume, Tamatea, Osmame, Maatua, Murua, Sylph, Kanieri.

NAPIER PARK WINTER MEETING. Napier, Tuesday. The following nominations have been received tor the Napier Park Racing Clubs Winter Meeting :—

winter OATS.-Aphony, Aloonora. Leontine, The Shrew, Little Billee, Martyrdom, Target, Drury Lane, Maid Marion. _ _ .. HlGn-WEiailT HANDICAP.-Brennan, Slaiden, Lotion, Golden Plover, Aphony, Leontine, NUkarau, Drury Lane, Maid Marion. Weweii Handicap.- Brennan, Slaiden, Lotion, Penrose. Aphony, Nukurau, Maid Marion, SECOND TRIAL HunDLES.->Wden, Clelve, Billy, Gorse, Rainbow, Milch-ado, Torito, Penrose, Ermi, Velocity, Heavenly Twin, Daphne, Bulldog, Sylvaiius, St. Anthony. „, , TRIAL HANDICAP HURDLES.-Slaiden, Clelve, Billy, Gorse, Rainbow, Much-ado, Torikl, Penrose, Brina, Heavenly Twin, Rhino, Daphne, Bulldog, Silvanns, Napper Tandy, St. Anthony. _ Newsteao HANDICAP.-Brennan, Cleive, Forecast, Nina, Maichioness, Straybird, Ngaehe, Electric UANDICAP.-Waterstone, Alennora.The Shrew, Little Billee, Target, Nansen, Drury Lane, Maid Marion. „, . _ . Settlers Handicap.-Brennan, Oleive, Forecast, Marchioness, Straybird, Te Ngaslie, Daphne, Popgun. ,

WANGANUI JOCKEY CLUB'S WINTER MEETING. WaNOANUI, Tuesday. The following acceptances for the Wanganut Steepleohase Meeting were received to-night:— , , WANOANUI STEEPLECHASE. - I.o»Anler 11.7, Booties 11.0, Tain-aroa 10.2, Rangipai 9.12, Swift 0,11, nienelg 9 10, Bradshaw, 6.7, Claymore, 9.7. suburban Steeplechase.— 12.0, Natation M.6, Bradshaw 9.'0, Claymore 9.10, lokanui 9.10, Fencer 9.7, Mr Athol 9.7. First IIuiiDLKS.-Dante 12.5, Dummy 10.12, Tangaroa. 10.9, Swift 10.7, Docility 9.11, Natation 9.10, Troubadour 9.0, Britannia 0.0. ...... FLYING STAKES.-Angler J. 6. The Artist 8.2. Sedgebrook 8.0, Man-of-war 7.10, TitoW 7.9, Light 7.7, Undine 7.2, Ascot Vale 0, Return 6.10. The following nominations were also received i— Fiiist Hooter Steeplechase.-!!*. Dick, Convict, Fleetwood, Sir Alhol, Venture, Cadet, Atighleen, Barbarossa, Halclone, Tell-tale, Exchange (late Wanganni). Second Hunters' Steeplechase. - same as First Hunters' Steeplechase. First Hack FLAT.-Quatic, Hodara, Fair Ellen, Malnboom, Kllna, Novelty, Puriri. En Avant, St. Vincent, Guarrtlish, l-owrious, Fireworks, Lightning, and Kmerald. _ Second Hack FLvr.-Same as First Hack Flat with the addition of Moana and Rubin. FINAL Streplechase. - Bradshaw, Fencer, Rambler, Gipsy Prince, Convict, I«nanter, Natation, sir Athol, Tell-tale, Harrison, Exchange (late Wanganui),

In accounting for the numerous acoidents that have taken place on colonial racecourses not a few think that the true reason is to be found in the slipshod manner in which licenses to ride are granted by various clubs. Jockeys and trainers inand around Melbourne are making an effort to form a society. Several meetings have been held at which different matters have been discussed. One point submitted the Age) was that all jockeys before bning allowed to ride in public should have been engaged in a recognised stable for at least two years, it being pointed out that the presence in the Melbourne Cup or any other important field of inexperienced jockeys was a menace to life and limb, and calculated to jeopardise the interests of the turf. Such a condition as was here proposed was regarded as very important, considering that at present only a month need expire after the first public mount when the jockey's license may be granted. The discussion was generally discursive, but on the point affecting apprentices the meeting seemed to be unanimous that at least a year's service shouid be given before the novices are allowed to ride in races. _________