AUCKLAND TOPICS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2805, 18 December 1907, Page 56

AUCKLAND TOPICS.

Br Taiboa. ' December 16. I

The conditions drawn up by the commit- \ tee of the Auckland Racing Club for the , licensing of bookmakers desirous of plymg their calling at the. club's summer 'meeting ( are regarded as unduly severe, and a deputa- . tkra representing the pencillers waited on the' committee on Friday to urge a reduction of the license fee, fixed at £20 for book- ; makers and £5 for their clerks per day, and the removal of certain restrictions, including one providing that betting shall cease five minutes before the running of each race The conference did not, however, prove satisfactory to the bookmakers, and toe I only concessions granted were the deletion of the fee for clerks and the removal of the regulation providing double or place-betting for the purpoee of the summer meeting, » teg being added to the latter concession informing the bookmakers that they were not to construe this as an approval by the committee of double or place-betting. Un- ; less the metropolitan club's committee xs prepared to grant further concessions -the pencillers will probably appeal to another quarter with a view to forcing the hands of the j local racing ■ authorities. ' ' The prohibition of anti-post betting, robs the point of some interest, but nevertheless , many sporting enthusiasts are cudgelling , their brains a* tx> the probable number oi ■ starters ior the Auckland Cup. In the , absence of Mahwta, Zinfcnerman, Apa, Down- , fall, and Star Roee, who have yet to arrive on the scene, the question is difficult to answer, but not a few are confident that a Tecord field will go to the post on Boxing Mr John. Marshall, who has been associ- . ated with the turf for a gTeat many years, I has decided to relinquish racing, and the whole of his horses in training are to be offered for sale by auction. Mr John M'Donald, the well-known New South Wales sportsman and breeder of the thoroughbred, ia» expected in Auckland during Christmas week. On more than one occasion Mr M'Donald has figured at the ring ! side when the stud sales b.av© been hela i here a-s a buyer, and it is quite on the cards that he will again, be found bidding ' for some of the lots to be offered. The Auckland Cup candidate Master Delaval continues to carry himself well. j The Soult— Lady Hester colt, one of the i nicest-looking youngsters paraded at the j yearling sales last season, and for whom the name of Master Soult has been claimed, will make his first appearance under eilk at Ellerslie on Boxing Day. Twenty-one 'yearlings are to be offered at \ the twenty-fourth annual sale of Glenora ; Park youngsters, to be held at the Papakura , breeding establishment on "Friday, January 8. The final payment for the Auckland Cup falls due on Friday next. The Wellington horseman, H. Caime, is to have the mount on Mahuta in the" Auckland Cup. F. Davis arrived from the south on Saturday with Mr T. H. Lowry's team, consisting of Downfall, Finery, Bobrikoff, Chartreuse, Creusot, and Clochette. Shrapnel is walking very tenderly, and it will probably take his trainer all his time to get The Workman gelding to the post at the A.R.C. meeting. The Cyrenian horse Cambrian pulled up vary lame after working at ElleTslie this morning. So far the extent of the trouble is not known, but it will be unfortunate for his connection should he be unable to start at the A.R.C. meeting. . The southern three-year-old Bonny Glen has performed pleasing work since his arrival at Ellerslie. In point of condition he looks remarkably well, and moves nicely when extended.