RACING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19859, 1 February 1928, Page 15

RACING.

SEASON'S FIXTURES. February 1, 3—Pahiattia Racing Club. February 2, 4—Egmont Racing Club, February 2, 4—Gisbcrne Racing Club. February 4—M.itamata Racing Club. February 9. J.l- Dunedin Jockey Club. February 9, ll—Taranaki Jockey Club. February 9, 11— Poverty Baj Turf Club. February 11, 13—Rotorua Racing Club. February 16, 18—Wanganui Jockey Cub. February 18—Canterbury Jockey Club. February 23, 25 —Nelson Jockey Club. February 25, 27—Te Aroha Jockey Club. March 7—Opotiki Jockey Club. March 10. 12—Franklin Racing Club. March 15, 17—Wellington Racing Club. March 17, 19—Ohinemuri Jockey Club. March 24—Bay of Plenty Jockey Club. March 31—Paangaroa-Te Puke Racing Club. March 31—Whangarei Racing Club. April 7, 9—Auckland Racing Club. April 9, 10—Canterbury Jockey Club, April 14. 18—Avondale Jockey Club. [ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. "J," Kohimarama.—Mr H. A. Kiaight'a facing colours are black and white (tripes, .white sash, black cap. NOTES BY PHAETON. DECISION CHALLENGED. The challenging by » district committee ef a decision of the Licensing Committee in granting a licence to ride to *, certain jockey creates a somewhat unique situation eo far as New Zealand is concerned and the outcome will be awaited with considerable interest. W. S. Bagby. the jockey concerned, was licensed in August, but in November hifl licence was suspended. Provision is made im 'he Rules of Racing for an appeal by a district committee, the rule governing the question reading an follows: "Any district committee or person aggrieved et a. decision (including any order, direction, or determination of the Licensing Committee) may appeal therefrom to the Conference and for the purpose of any such appeal the provisions of part XXXIII. with respect to appeals to the Conference, shall (mutatis mutandis) apply. Notice of appeal having been given, the following section is laid down: "Thereupon the president shall appoint three judges (of whom he may be onrt) to hear and decide the appeal on behalf of the Conference, and fix the time when, and the place at which, the appeal shall he heard said give notice thereof to such persons as ha shall at the time think it desirable to afford an opportunity of being heard, and to the District Committee by whem the decision appealed against was given." A LUCKY PURCHASE. At the dispersal sale of the Elderslie Stud at Oainaru in the summer of 1925 the New South Wales spoilsman, Mt, J. J. Leahy, bought the Charlemagne mars Taringamutu, with a filly foal at foot by Archery, for 500gns. Th© filly foal that followed Taringamutu icto the ring is identical with Justify, who won the Adrian Knox Stakes at Randwick last Thursday. The race in question is limited to three-year-old fillies, 8.5 each, and was run over a mile course. As Justify was credited with running the eight furlongs im there was evideuco of a solid pace, and, as Blaok Duchess was second. Justify beat a. good rival. The winner's portion of the Adrian Knox Stakes would be about £ISOO, »o that in a finamri&l sense Mr. Leahy has *leady good reason to rejoice over his purchase of Taringamutu and her foal. THE YEARLING LOTTERY. 'At the sale of yearlings held at Randwick in the autumn of 1926, a chestnut colt by Valais from Galtee More gave rise to very spirited competition and the New South Wales sportsman, Mr. E. Moss, carrying the bidding to 4100gns. secured the youngster. The colt, who made his debut on the turf under the name of Sion, failed to wki a race at two years old, and his form this season was (gain so disappointing that he was sent to auction last week, when be was allowed to go at 1600gns. Sion is credited with being a colt of splendid physique and Apparently someone considers that he has a good race concealed about him, or the bidding would not have been carried to 1600gns when he was in the sale ring, MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. The Sutala—Egotism gelding, Wayward, Who has proved such a good speculation to tfa.» Dunedin sportsman. Mr. J. M. Samson, is engaged in the New Zealand St. Leger Sts.kes. to be ru_a at Trentham on March 15. In the matter of physique one of the fin-est-looking horse 9 racing in Auckland at the present timo is Appellant, the five-year-old son of the Melbourne Cup .winner Westcourt, but he has so far failed to win a race, and it would seen as though he will have to take a place in very minor company. Racing colours of the "chequer" order are always pleasing to tho eyes, and the royal blue and white registered by Mr. Colin W. Anderson will be popular on their appearance e.lone. In referring to triple dead-heaia recorded fcn the New Zealand turf in my notes last week I find thai another has to be «dd«d to the list of which I did not make mention. In the decision of the Ruapehu Hanaicap---I.be ntme event in connection with whioa * triple dead-heat was recorded ♦hif, year—Nursing Sister (8.3), Borealiii (8.1) and Hepta (7.7) came home level for first position in the race of 1920. The Putaruru Stakes, to be mn at the Mati.ma.ta maeting next Saturday, has attracted an acceptance of 28 and that points to a large field of contestants. The race in question., which is to he run over five furlongs at; weight-for-age, is confined to two-year-olds and upward that have not won a race at a totalisator meeting, so that it can Is said that those who set themselves to solve the problem have ample material on which to engage their thoughts. White Wings, the two-year-old sister to 'Aerion, has not yet succeeded in treating her owner, Mr. Wenzl Scholium, to a win. She managed to get up into third place in the Calliope Handicap and she was expected to improve on that performance when she set out on the second day to contest the Hobson Handicap, but she had to be content with fourth place. White W;ings may be expected to see a better day, but she is, I thimk, more likely to be known as a sprinter than as a stayer. Mr. CJ. P. Chiene, sporting editor of the Sydney journal. Country Life, who has bee« on a vitiit to New Zealand extending to some sir weeks, wan a passenger to Sydney yesterday by the Aorangi. Mr. Chiene witnessed several race meetings in New Zeala/nd and ho expressed himself as greatly pleased with what he witnessed in Maoriland." Mr. Chiene made many warm friend# during his sojourn in Auckland. Advices to hand from Canterbury state that Agrion ia training on well, but the opinion is expressed that the New Zealand Derby winner will not be required to carry Bilk until the Wellington Racing Club's autumn meeting comes round in March. Aerion is engaged in the North Island Challenge Stakes to be run at Trentham on March 15. Mithra, winner of the Calliope and Hobeon Handicaps at the Takapuna Summer Meeting, is a solid-looking filly by Australian Sun from tho Bror.zino mare Boaum, and she carries the appearance of one that will be further improved with age. The bay filly can boast of a stout pedigree and she may ba found playing her part well in the settlement of the Great Northern Oaks of 15>29. At the New South Wales sale last year Mithra was bought by the Papaiura trainer J. T. Jamieson on account of Mr. Colin W. Anderson, whose early success brought him zaany warm congratulation*.

| THE TAKAPUNA MEETING. NOTES ON THE FORM. BY ARCHER. With glorioue weather prevailing and good fields engaged each day, it was not surprising that the Takapuna Jockey Club's Summer Meeting was attended with considerable success. On the whole, the racing was very clean and free from accident, and some of the finishes were very exciting. Although the dividends were rather small, actual favourites were not as successful as ■might have been expected, only four scoring at the meeting. One of tho features of he rncing was tho success of horses trained by J, T. Jamieson, who woo five races. His stabl<> jockey, T. Green, was associated with each of these winners and as a result he is now at the head of the list of winning jockeys for the season with 38J winß. Another horseman to ride well at the meeting was L Ma/nson, who piloted three winners ob the opening day. It has taken the imported mare Cym\i» N. some time to strike form, but she is now steadily on the improve and likely to do better as the season progresses. She scored very ea&ily ia the Trial Stakes and narrowly misued winning again, going under by a neck in the Rangitoto Handicap. More patiently handled, she would probably have won the latter event too, as her rider made too much use of her in the middle stages. I« looked any odds on Cynthia N. scoring at the home turn, but she weakened and Baby Bun ran her down at the finish. There was confident backing for Cynthia N. each day and her supporters showed a profit on both occasions. There were a couple of promising novices among the number that ran unplaced in minor events. The pair referred to are British King and Brilliant Lifiht and they will be sean to greater advantage as the season progresses. They have only commenced racing and are likely to be improved by their outings in public. British King finished a very creditable fourth in the Moana Handicap and Brilliant Light was close behind the placed horses in both of his races. After running a creditable third in the Trial Stakes on the opening day. Liaison went better in the Moana Handicap on Monday, winning very nicely from a useful hack in Air King. Liaison gallops well and now that she has opened her winning account more success should soon come her way in hack events. On breeding, this three-year-old filly has a good deal to commend her, t.e she is by Lord Quex from that good Martian mare Lovematch, a full-sister to those fine performers Nones and Menelaus. Although she missed a place in the Moama Handicap subsequent to running second in the Trial Stakes, La Roma can be ticked off as one likely to score at the coming country meetings. In a field of fifteen in her second start she drew fourteenth position at the barrier, and, failing to get away well, she was never sighted until the finish, when she was up seventh. J. H, Wallace should be able to work some improvement in La Roma ia the next month or two. After beginning slowly from the extreme outside of & big field in the Trial Sfakea, Palmares was close up fifth at the fininh. As » result of this effort he was sent out favourite for the Moana Handicap, wherein he liad every chance, but could do no better than finish third. At present the Chrysolaus gelding is not good, but he seems to be making some progress and should get his turn where the class is ordinary. On his running, minor sprint evemts at country fixtures should be within his reach. The clans of horses seen out in the Highweight Handicap® was not good. Uralla won very comfortably on the opening day, but a rise of 10lb. steadied her on Monday, when Red Comet won narrowly from Pekatahi. The lust-named was unlucky not to win and only for beiag forced out wide at the home turn would have done so. Bold Front was favourite in both races, but the best he could do was to notch a second and a third. Some excuse may be offered for him on the grounds that he was eore. Even so, he should have beaten this class at the weights and is not of much account. Whea the field had covered about three furlongs in the Waiwera High-weight Handicap, Acushla was pulled up and it was seen that she had injured one of her hind legs. It is stated that she broke one of fetlocks, so that her racing days are ended. Au effort is to be made to save her for stud purposes, her owner-trainer, J. D. Kemp, having a small stud of his own. Although she frequently galloped well on the tracks, Acushla had not been very successful and had only won one minor event. A promoted hack in Tea Time was one of the best back&d runners in the Stewards Handicap and he justified the support by beating the useful field of sprinters engaged. He was, perhaps, a trifle lucky to beat Dave, who did not get the best of passages in the straight. Still, he ran another fine race with 121b. more weight m the Suburban Handicap, finishing a very close third. Tea Time has a remarkable record for consistency, having started nineteen times since he began racing as a two-year-old for five wins, nine seconds and two thirds, so that he has only been unplaoed thrice. It was not until this season (his third on the turf) that he won a race. His winnings amount to £1320, and there should be more to come. Where the class has not been really good, Dave has invariably nHown himself a very useful sprinter and under big weights he has recorded some nice performances on country courses. The consistent Lucullus gelding is right at the top of his form at present and his last five starts have yielded foul wins and a second. Dave appeared unlucky not to win the Stewards Handicap on Saturday and his success in the Suburban Handicap on Monday was freely anticipated. On the strength of her good second to Money Order at Ellerslie, High Finance was confidently backed in the Stewards' Handicap, and started a solid favourite. She began with her accustomed brilliance, and was the leader into the straight, only to weaken in the end and be beaten into third place. T. Green rode her a nice race in front and nursed her as much as possible, but it was of no avi.il. High Finance will have to become more solid before she is likely to win races. can be no doubt that Eden Hall hw struck his best form again. It was with a fine finishing effort that hd won the Takapuna Cup, and he was also responsible for another nice performance, dead-heating for second place in the T.J.C. Handicap. It was about ten months since he had won a race* but his victory was well anticipated, as he had run two good races at the summer carnival at Ellerslie. A genuine customer who goes well in any kind of going, Eden Hall has proved a good investment for Mr. C. G. Macindoe. As he is still in his prime, Eden Hall should render his owner further good service. E. Keesing is one of our best horsemen, but he was not seen to advantage on Transformer in the Takapuna Cup. otherwise his mount may have won instead of being narrowly beaten. Transformer, being sore, was slow to get going, and was second to last over the first four furlongs. Theu he began to warm up and was allowed to run through the field quickly, with the result that he was in front with five furlongs to go. Had he made up his ground more gradually, he would have made it harder for the winner. Transformer is due at any lime now. Although be was well beaten in the two leading handicaps. Scat went well enough to suggest that he might win one of the country cups. Bit was prominent for the greater part of tka journey in both races, and in the class he will meet on the country circuit should be capable of running a mile and a-quarter fast enough to keep the oppo- j sition very busy. J. W. Cathro has Scat in excellent order at present, and that will be a factor in his favour. Notwithstanding that she had been working with plenty of dash, it was rather surprising to find no much support for Princess Ronnie iu her two engagements. The Polydamon mare was certainly not ready to display her best form, and was well beaten in both races. The two outings should do her good, ar.d she can be expected to do better with each race she has in tha near future.

When making her first appearance in public at the summer carnival ut Eilerslie Mithra gave evidence of being a useful filly. She proved tliis conclusively by winning the two juvenile events at this meeting in very decisive fashion, and perhaps she may show further improvement before the ! Beason closes. Mithra was purchased at the yearling sales in Sydney last Easter for £275 on behalf of J. T. Jamieson, who subsequently passed her on to one of his patrons, Mr. C. W. Anderson, whose colours had not been seen out in New Zealand until this season Needless to aay, Mr. Anderson was delighted with the victories of his filly, as his several other youngsters have not come up to expectations, and Mithra v. his first winner here. One of the most decisive wins of the meeting was *hat of Winsome Boy in the Ferry Handicap, It must have been very gratifying to his owner, Mr. W. E. McDonnell, who only joined the ranks of owners a few weeks ago, when he purchased the Some Boy 11. geldinsi at a very reasonable figure. A good deal of the credit for the victory must be given to L. Mauson, who sent his mount through an opening on the rails at a critical juncture, and then rode a very confident race. The connections of the horse threw in for a nice win over the Buccess, the dividend being of decent proportions. Until he won the Moana Handicap on Liaison, S. Henderson had never ridden a winner of a flat event on the Takapuna course. It was a coincidence, therefore, that he should also be successful in the following event on Red Comet. When a trainer has two horses engaged in a race and both appear to have chances it is often very confusing to backers, more especially when the horses figure in different ownership and are not brncketed. This situation arose in connection with a couple of the hack events, and on one occasion the majority of backers selected the wrong horse. This was when J. Williamson produced Corinax and Tho Lover in the Hauraki Hack Handicap. Both geldings had recent form to recommend them, and had worked nicely on the tracks before the meeting. Most people chose Corinax, even though he had an apprentice rider in the saddle, and he started favourite, while The Lover, on whom T. Green had the mount, was only fourth in demand. Unfortunately for the majority the favourite did not reveal his true form, and could only finish sixth, whereas The Lover was second. Corinax was not at all well handled, as, after getting a good position early, his rider got him into a pocket along the back, and he was always in the ruek from that out, although he finished strongly. The Magpie gelding should recoup his supporters later on. THE WINKING OWNERS. Tho total sum paid away in prize-money in connection with the Takapuna Jockey Club's Summer Meeting amounted to £6500, which was distributed as follows:—C. G. Macindoe, £1075; C. W. Anderson, £650; D. R. Walker, £550; J. D. Jones, £400; James Williamson, £375; W. S. Glenn, £300; D. Twohill, £275; H. B. Philcox, £275; John McGregor, £250; Nicholson and Davis, £250; James Clothier, £225; James Paterson, £225; H. H. Pharazyn, £215; Roulston Bros., £200; W. E. McDonell, £200; F. Earl, K.C., £125; E. George, £100; Davis and Bennett, £75; F. E. Loomb, £75; A J. McGovern, £75; E. Robinson, £75; T. M. Grant, £75; H. Friedlander, £65; Geoghan and Wilson. £SO; J. N. Hislop, £SO; R.. Hanaon, £SO; R. P. Fisher, £35; W. Lockyer, £35; D. S. Hanger, £25; H. L. Russell, £25; W. Scholium, £25; D. Tye, £25; J. H. Walters, A'2s; Mrs. P. Carter. :£26. STUD NOTES. HIGH-PRICE MARES. BY PHAETON. In the telegraphed account of the dispersal sale of the Kinlocb Stud, mention was made of the two English-bred mares, Cymene and Strona, each being sold for 2250gna, but full accounts of the sale now to hand show that there was an important omission in each case. Cymene had a colt foal at foot by Limond, and is in foal to the same Eire, while Strona had a colt foal by Martiara, and is in foal to Diacquenod. Both mares can boast of high-class pedigrees. Cymene is by Cjclad (son of Cyllene), from Hiqocrene, by Spearmint. Strona is by Stornoway (son of Desmond), from Dark B?ue, by Dark Ronald. Mr. A. B. Williams is the new owner of Cymene, but, though the ownership of Strona is not yet stated, it is known that she was bought o<n account of an Australian breeder. As time wears on it will be interesting to note which owner had the best of the deal in the purchase of j Cymene and Strona. CHEAP STALLIONS. I Tha surprise at the dispersal sale of tho Kinlock Stud last Friday was the weak competition for the stallions Paladin and Diacquenod, a brace of horses of high pedigree. Paladin only realised 130gns, while Diacquenod was knocked down at 325gns. Paladin, who is a descendant of Polymelus, is eleven years old, while Diacquenod (son of Diadumeros) is now in his Bixth year. MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. Tho imported horse Grand Knight, whooe racing career was terminated with his effort in the King's Plate at Ellerslie on December 28, has been purchased by Mr. J. Donald and he is now included in tho Westmere Stud. Two other imported horses in the shape of Chief Ruler and Tonbridge are located at the Wangamui establishment, so that the situation is not thereby made easy for the eon of Grand Knight to secure the bulk of the mares at Westmere. The imported mare Cynthia N„ who won the Trial Stakes at tho Takapuna. meeting, can boast of quite a high-class pedigree. Her siro Juggernaut is a «n of tno celebrated St. Simon, while her dam Bayette was got by Bay Ronald from Child's Nun, who is by Childwick (son of St. Simon). With such an array of blood in her leins, Cynthia N. should be valuable property as a atud matron. AUSTRALIAN ITEMS. INBRED TO CARBINE. The five-year-old Spearset, who Bcored 8 , victory in tho Anniversary Handicap (1 mile 3 furlongs) at Caulfield on the 21st ult., is stated to have won his race in really fine style, and ho is looked upon as a promising candidate for honours in the Australian Cup. Spearset, it is interesting to note, is in-bred to the Carbine line. thire, Searliead, is by Spearmint (son pf Carbine), while his dam, Francette's Daughter, is by Charles Sisart (son of Wallace, and grandson of Carbine). Iu the decision of the Challenge Stakes run at Kandwick on January 21*. .Vaals. the five-year-old son of Valais and Galtie Queen, made a great effort to win under the heavy impost of 9.13, but Greenline, a three-year-old gelding to whom he wjis conceding lolb., boat bim half a bead in a great finish. Greenline is a descendant of Greenstead, who won a place with the great milera that have figured on tho Australian turf. The latest success to be credited to au English-bred horse in Australia was recorded at Randwick on January 21 when Honau. a son of Chaucer scored a victory in the January Handicap (1} miles), beating a good field in the fast time of 2m lis. At the Victoria Amataur Turf Club's meeting on January 21 tho New Zealand jockey. A. Reed, steered two winners. His winning mounts were on Stalden in tho Holiday Stakes, of £6OO, and on Sans Culotte, in the Tcoronga Handicap, of £6OO. The English-bred horses engaged in the King's Cup, to bo run at the Australian Jockey Club's Autumn Meeting are:—Pantheon, Si.lvius, Dolomite, Wolf, Zuleika, St. Anthony, Rionscup, Vitality, Bouaard, Sharpson, Honan, Gothic, Son-o'-Mine, Star d' Or, Brown Rajah.

WELLINGTON NOTES. MEETINGS THIS WEEK. ' PAHIATUA AND HAWERA. [BY TELEGEAFH. OWN CORRESPONDENT. ) WELLINGTON. Tuesday. The Pahiatua meeting, which opens tomorrow, is not likely to be of more than moderate interest. A poor lot of horses are engaged and the fields may thin out yet a good deal. Oratrix appears to have the best credentials in the cup and Dobbin and Coot should show up in the President's Handicap. Other horses engaged during the day who have form on their side or are likely to show form are Aurora Borealis. Aro De Val, Tintoretto. Kindly, Moa Bird, Tom Bryne, Lin Arlington. S. Wilson goes South to the Dunedin meeting after the Egmont Club's fixture. He will do the ridins for Mr. J. M. Samson and for Mr. L. C. Hazlett, who has second claim. Ark Royal, whose foreleg was damaged severely when Joy Bird kicked hira at the start of the Wellington Cup, is still at Trentham. SG. Ware left him in W. Young's charge. It is feared that a small bone in the leg is broken. Reremoana may not bygin as brilliantly nowadays as he has done in the past but ho is entitled to be regarded with great respect in the Flying Handicap at Hawera on Thursday. lie made Kiosk and Covent Garden look very cheap in the Palxnerston North Stakes, even allowing for the fact that in the race he had all the best of the weights. There were plenty ready to give him a great chance at Trentham in the Telegraph Handicap with 9.5, so that with only 4lb. more ho must be respected at Hawera. Hymgreat made a very good impression when he was tried over hurdles at Woodville in December, and finished second to Panorama and Powhiri. Powhiri's subsequent form was good enough to attract attention to Hymgreat's proupects in tho Ohs.we Hurdles at Hawera on Thursday. The field does not look a very strong one on paper and with 9.6 ho should go well. Martarma's sister. Barryanda, may have a good light-weight chance in the Nolan Cup at Hawera on Thursday. In her races over a shorter distance than that of tho Nolan Cup she has been finishing on. H. Wiggins has bean engaged to ride her at Hawera. CANTERBURY GOSSIP. CANDIDATES FOR DUNEDIN. LIMERICK GALLOPING WELL. [BT TELEGRAPH. OWN CORRESPONDENT.] CHRISTCHURCH, Tuesday. Stormy has two engagements on tho first day at Wingatui and it is not known yet which race he will run in. He is doing well but an he did very little work while F. D. Jones was at Trentham he may not be sufficiently fonvard to run out a milo and a-half in the Dunedin Cup. Under the circumstapces it is possible he will be a starter in the Publicans' Handicap. Thomdale was a trifle sore when he returned from Trentham, but he is all right again. He. worked :;'reely this morning when sent along at a useful pace. If he repeats the form he showed on the last day at Trentham he should race prominently at the Dunedin meeting. A. E. Ellis has been engaged to ride Stormy in the Dunedin Cup but if F. D. Jones' representative is not a starter Ellis will probably be on Thorndale. Tarleton was very lime after doing steady pace work with Nincompoop this morning. The trouble is in the off fore leg, but there is nothing to indicate just where it is locateid. Limerick pleased greatly by the style in which he reeled off six furlongs this morning. He should be in his best form next week for the Hazlett Memorial Plate at the Dunedin meeting. W. McDonald has Koauau looking in good health and he may race well among the hurdlers at the Dunedin meeting. Sir George Clifford will have six horses racing at the Dunedin meeting. Those under orders for this trip are Eronk Rank, Sudden Storm, Sky Quest, Quarterdeck, Full Feather and Impertinence. Goblin Market, Rigmarole and Shalimar are being kept goi:ig in strong work and two of them, if not all three, are likely to go South for tho Dunedin Jockey Club's Meeting. Sir Roy failed badly on the hard ground at Trentham and A. McCaulay is disposed to cancel his engagements at Dunedin. He may go South, however, if rain falls to soften the tracks und for that reason be will probably bo an acceptor. J. Boyd intends to take Nincompoop South to fulfil his Wingatui engagements and he will bo a competitor in the Dunedin Cup. It is unlikely that R. Emerson's stable will be represented at Dunedin next week. Assurance will probably be reserved for events nearer home,, a week later. Master Clarence also has engagements but he is not doing much at present. Centrepiece is still in a bad way and the leg which is causintt his trouble shows no sign of improvement. Th* horse has lost condition to a surprising extent during his enforced idleness. Illuminator arrived from the North this morning on his way to Wingatui where he will join C. Gieseler'n team. Eleven yearlings arrived from the North this morning. They included five of Mr. J. M. Samson's purchases at the Trentham sales last week, and consigned to tho Orari trainer, R. C. Keeper. G. MurrayAynsley will have five yearlings io handle this season. MATAMATA RACING CLUB. ANNUAL RACE MEETING. With a good list of acceptances for the eight events which form tho programme at its annual race meeting, the Matamata Racing Club must be accounted to be favourably positioned to have a record gathering in their portion of the Waiknto district next Saturday Special railway facilities are announced from various points and altogether the situation augurs well for the Matamata club improving its position to a marked degree. The Matamata Cup (11 miles) has the following nine horses engaged:—Bramson 8.7, Lord Star 7.13, Wedding March 7.12, Siaosi 7.12, The Author 7.3, Rarakau 78. Red Comet 7.4, Muscari 7.1, Mervette 7.0. RACING TAXATION. TAKAPUNA CLUB'S PAYMENTS. The sum paid to the Government in the form of tuxation in connection with the Takapuna Jockey Club's Summer Meeting amounted to J :7BOS 2s, made up as follows: ! A' s. d. Totalisator Duty .. .. 21i42 8 9 Dividend Duty .. .. 4730 14 0 Stakes Duty .. ~ 325 0 0 Amusement. Tar .. . . 83 19 3 Total • £7BOB 2 0