INTERPROVINCIAL GOSSIP.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 11950, 26 April 1902, Page 6

INTERPROVINCIAL GOSSIP.

[FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENTS.]

WELLINGTON. A RATHER outspoken trainer remarked the other day that he could afford to race straight if all tho richer men at the game did the same. His observations concerning some moneyed turfites who "win in their turn" aro not printable. The Rangitikei Hunt Club has not had a prosperous year, financially speaking, although its functions have been enjoyable enough. The hounds had to be augmented, trophies (previously donated) bought, and other expenditure incurred. There was a deficit on the dinner, and also on the ball. A number of members omitted to subscribe to these gaieties, and, in addition, the Marton Race Club had the bad luck to have wet weather for its last meeting, and in consequence it? customary subscription was not forthcoming towards the funds of the hunt. However, members aro optimistic, and hope | for a better season this year. Mr. J. J. McI Donald has donated a handsome solid silver ' cup as a prize for the point-to-point steepleI chase, and lie has been heartily thanked for his present. I noticed an advertisement in a London paper the other day which drew attention to the merits of a certain " system" of backing horses —-our 1 , of course, that would not fail, but would line tho capacious pockets of investors with golden wealth. Most horsebackers' pockets aro capacious— often nearly empty. They aro caverns which would take some filling, in fact. The " systern" mentioned is, according to the genius who invented it, " the most wonderful, practicable, genuine system of the age." The advertiser mentions that out of 35 weeks' racing last year he had 24 winning weeks, showing a profit of 152 points (whatever that may mean). With a £10 stake the investor would will £1521. If this new scheme for the accumulation of dollars is such a really good thing it is a wonder that its author does not make his own little pile, and smash the ring in the process, instead of offering to sell it for a trifle to pay his living expenses and sundries. A "system" may work out all right for a meeting or two, and then go to unutterable smash, and the winnings speedily bo absorbed by the great grasping paw that is always ready to rake them in. Yet there are a. great many people patronising tho sport who back on systems of their own, but do not let their little doings in this connection be known, lest they should be ridiculed and laughed at. And people do not like being made a butt of by their fellow mugs on the turf. The practice adopted by a great many of our racing clubs in cramming eight races into each day's programme is not viewed with absolute favour by a great many prominent turfites in thin colony. Australian sportsmen wonder what on earth we do it for. At, the last Auckland Racing Club's meeting, for instance, 24- events were got off in three days. : Now, on the other sido they would knock four days' racing out of that lot, and feel perfectly satisfied. The Australian Jockey Club's last gathering extended over four days, and half-a-dozen events a day were deemed ample. There seems to be a tendency on the part of clubs in this colony to cram as many races into an afternoon as possible, '.a order to .secure a large totalisator return. They will grab as much as they can lay their hands on, and then brag about their successful meeting and big profits. The public could certainly get along with much less racing. Eight contests a. day is certainly a large order it's a wonder some clubs do not cram in nine. Of course, in thr* case of sonio races, which aro regarded as nothing short of "morals," little or no speculation is indulged in, aud the club is "out" on V at i particular event, so far as the machine is ! concerned. They consequently hope to ! make up the deficiency on other races. There have lieen a goodly number of classic contests latterly, which were unanimously voted veritable "good things,"' and a* nobody would hack anything else investors had perforce to stand oft" and look' on. There a.e two such events programmed for the Wellington Racing Club's meeting at tho Hutt this week, and so far as they are concerned the totalisator figures will lie of a microscopic character, but, it cannot be helped. Th'»ro are, however, seven other raws on each day, .so the sport provided is ample. Chilis which do not indulge in "classics," however —and there are a large number of them — endow eight races on each day and 'ook pleasant. That number is not required, in my opinion, and the Pacing Conference might well shorten the list. The yearling colt by Medallion Nereid, purchased at Sydney for Mr. Monk for 300 guineas, lias arrived here, and lias been placed in J. 11. Prosser's stable. A filly was also purchased at the same salo and accompanied him across. She cost 105 guineas, and is well bred, being by Grafton out of the Chester mare Aureola. The Wairarapa Club will possibly have a case against a man named Miller for calling the odds at the club's last meeting. It is recognised by members'of the committee that something must be done to stop bookmakers diverting money from the legitimate channel, otherwise the club will suffer. It will mean this--that an expensive test case i will have to be brought and a definite decision procured. A sub-committee has been appointed to consider the matter, and they will report to'a special meeting later. Achilles has been doing .sound work for some weeks past, but whether he will start in the Pacific Handicap at the lintt on Saturday will depend upon his weight adjustment. The race is-for two and three year olds, and is run over six furlongs._ The handicapper will have a good chopping-blook in Cruciform to head the list with, but she is not, likely to start, if she runs in the St. Leger early in the day. The Leger is the second race on the programme, and tho Pacific Handicap the sixth. Merrie England has been secured by a Wairarapa brooder, and will henceforth do stud duty in that district. The Dunedin Jockey Club does not seem to Ik? able to rake in any North Island horses for its meetings at all latterly. There aro none engaged at its May gathering. The Wanganui Jockey Club's fixture, got off at about the same time, seems to be much more attractive to horseowners.

CANTERBURY. ' Included in the list of nominations for the Uunedin May meeting are four horses which have been spelling for some Blazer. Pampero, Nihilist, and Jupiter. , The hurdle races hare both filled well, -and a satisfactory feature about the entries for the jumping races is the largo proportion: of new aspirants for honours. Hurdle ; racers ■ are scarce at this end of the colony, and any addition to the list is welcome. One Riccarton .horse that is making his first appearance among jumpers is Wonderful, who is said to show great aptitude for the game. General satisfaction was felt in local sporting. circles when it became known that the : Egmont Racing Club had removed the disqualification from W. Holmes from May 25 next, thus shortening the term by a year. Mr. J. Hazlett, member of the Dunodin Jockey Club and well known as tho head of the racing establishment known as Stcplicuson and Ilazlelt, a very powerful stable some years ago, intends making a trip to England for the Coronation. Mr. H. A. (Solomon, tho owner of Muscovite, is co-respondent in a divorce caso which is sot down for hearing in Dunedin shortly, r . Sir Gooitoi Clifford's five yearlings have arrived at Riccarton and will be taken in hand by E. Cutts on his return from the Wellington meeting. They are a fine-look-ing lot. Special interest will be taken in the three Bill of Portland youngsters, whose : deeds next season will bo closely watched._ I Several local trainers are breaking in their yearlings. Murray Hobbs is busy with the Scaton Delav'al— colt, Holmes with tho Lake Shell— Webster colt, I and Aynsley with the Mauser—Adventuress | colt. Sley has two more youngsters by I Conqueror waiting for him, but at the pre •■ sent, ho has no stable accommodation. He is not the only local trainer who finds himself short of room, as E. Cutts has recently had four new boxes erected at Riccarton. NAPIER. W. Stone has returned Apres to her owner, Mr. W. Rathbone, of Waipawa, who intends to give her a spell till next season. Bounce, the Captain VVebb—Hino hui to Po gelding, in George Collclo's' stables, has grown into a splendid-looking horse, showing a power of quality. Like all .of his sire's progeny he is endowed with great quarters, and shows a lot of strength in his construction. Mr. W. Robinson, of To Aute, has turned out Urania —Heavenly Twin) and Rapidity (Waterfall— Waimoa (Somnus—Watercolour) is the only horse he has at present in training. Mr. A. O'Dowd, of Taradalo, has got a big mare by Kaiwaka out of the grand-dam of Auahuri, which he intends to get educated for approaching hunting events. Mr. Hirst, one of our wellknown local gentlemen riders, will put the mare through her facings. Hourata, Mahaki. and Vista, tho yearling filly by Mahaki, The Brook, the yearling gelding by Maude, and the Jet d'Eau —Primula yearling gelding leave for Gisbbrno to-morrow. The lot are the property of the Hon. .Tames Carroll, who intends for the future to have bis loam prepared at GJBborne. M. Manor'is to have charge of tho contingent.