TALK OF THE DAY.

Otago Witness, Issue 3227, 19 January 1916, Page 55

TALK OF THE DAY.

Br Ekxtinel.

THE WELLINGTON MEETING. One of tho most important meetings on the calendar takes place in Wellington daring the rext week, when the Wellington Clip, of 1300.~0v5, Waterloo Stakes, of 500sovs, Telegraph Handicap, of 750sovs, Wellington Stakes, of 750sovs, W. R. C. Handicap, of 600sovs, Summer Handicap, of 500sovs, and other well-endowed events will come up for decision. Extra interest will be carried by the meeting if the announcement that Desert Gold will contest a couple of the principal events on the programme is based on fact. The chief interest centres in the Wellington Cup and Telegraph Handicap, run on the first day of the meeting. The field of 17 acceptors figuring in the Cup includes some of tho best performers scon out this season. First Glance heads the list, and is conceding lib do Balboa, the winner of the Auckland Cup. Blackall, a place-getter in both tho New Zealand Cup and Auckland Cup, is amongst those for whom engagement has been continued; Tangihou, tho New Zealand Cup winner, and others, such as Indigo, who won the Metropolitan in fine stylo with 8.5 in 2 35 1-5, must bo a dangerous horso. On that occasion he met Rinaldo at even weights and beat him well, and now allows 31b over tho same journey. Indigo gavo 61b to Blackall and beat him. into third place; now there is 111 b between them. Balboa was also a runner in the Metropolitan, in which he gave 71b to Indigo, who now comes in on lib better terms. Balboa did not look quito strung up on that occasion, and showed improved form at Auckland. Indigo meets tho New Zealand Cup winner at 61b better tcrma than when they met over two miles at Riccarton. First Glance acted so well under weight in the Otago Handicap that she and others, such as Rowi .Tutu, 3ii. ooio, and Welcome iNuggct, in addition to those mentioned above, should contribute towards a very interesting race. Snub, on his form in the Auckland Cup, is well entitled to his position of favourite. Ho put up a good fight in the Cup, and showed even better form by tho race displayed in tho Auckland Derby, where he met Eligible at evens, and ran him to a neck when they finished a couple of lengths behind Desert Gold, who galloped 2.32 3-5.

Eligible was handicapped to give 181 b to Snub in tho Wellington Cup, and if the Derby form wis correct—and the speed suggests that it was—Eligible would not have much chance at Trentham, even though he probably improved as the Auckland meeting progressed. A comparatively small field is paid up for in the Telegraph Handicap, in which tho imported horse Panmuro ranks favourite. He has shown by winning a couple of races that he can gallop fast, and apparently won easily on each occasion. The Englishman will bo up against a much better field at Trentham, and a race from him there should give a, fair indication of his racing merit. Ho is getting only 51b from a smart sprinter such as Downham, and that should furnish a good test. Battlo Eve can gallop fast, and ho may help to make things interesting, and so should Marco Bello, Hyginas, and the two top weights, Tete-a-tete and Chakwana.. liFindhorn, it should not be overlooked, is almost as good or an equal to Robert Bell, and, on that line, would be entitled to respect, but he seems a bit flattered in the handicap, at being placed at 7.8; still there is no doubt ho is an improving sort, and was badly ridden in one of his races at Wingatui, and another at Oamaru. It is interesting to note that Hyttus has accepted with 9.7 in the Nursery Handicap, where he is made 8!b in front of Egypt and 161 b better than Sweet Tipperary, the winner ot the Welcome Stakes. Taken all round, tho card for the day should provide some of the best racing ever seen at Trentham. THE DUNEDIN MEETING. Friday next is a most important date in our local racing season, as it is nomination clay for the Dunedin Cup meeting. Since the stake attached to the Cup has been increased to lOOOsovs it forms one of the richest handicaps decided in the Dominion, and it is well worth the attention of owners, as tho increase of value does not necessarily mean that the race has become more difficult to win. On the contrary, stayers are always scarce and hard to find. The Cup is well supported in the programme by the Publicans' Handicap, of 500sovs, the D.J.C. Handicap, of 500sovs, Anniversary Handicap, of 350sovs, Champagne Stakes, of 350sovs, Hazlett Memorial, of SOOsovs, and other events ranging in value from 200sovs upwards, as well as several others closely approaching tho lastnamed value. The three hurdle events are worth ISOsovs each. A CRUMB OF COMFORT. A crumb of comfort has been granted the National Hunt Committee by the action of the English Government in allowing certain hunt meetings to be held under certain conditions. Delay in negotiations concerning the matter would be responsible for the winter racing not commencing until after • the New Year, instead of much earlier than usual. The main stipulation concerning tho privilege granted was that the meetings were not in any way to be a tax on the transport service of the railways, and that the patrons of tho various meetings should travel thereto by road. The Association of Owners, Trainers, and Breeders, in petitioning the Government for permission to hold racing meetings, stipulated that they would not.ask for any railway facilities for the conveyance of the public to the meetings. None but inclusive tickets covering entrance and conveyance by road were to be issued. and no person would be admitted without such a voucher. All gates and direct approaches by railway were to be closed, and 5s was to be the minimum charge instead of Is. The lower rates of admission were to bo suspended with the object of confining the attendance to owners, breeders, trainers, and poisons seriously interested in the horse industry. Under these conditions racing will be held at Newmarket, Gatwick, Lingfield. Plumpton. Windsor, Hawthorn Hill, Colwal Park, and possibly one or two other places in addition. It would be indeed strange if to Government did not permit the National Hunt Committee to carry on under some conditions or other, bearing in mind how greatly indebted the War Office was to tho various hunts for the thousands of horses commandeered at the outbreak of war. Without racing and hunting and the enternrise of private breeders of bloodstock and hunters the Eng'ish Government would Skvc been in the dreadful quandary of bong unable to adequately horse their Expeditionary army in the course of a few ■ days. The position was gravely accentuated by tho fact that German agents had been for come t-imn liher.nllv Vinyirxr hovses. in both England and Ireland for the German army. In much tho same manner German agents had also been purchasing largo numbers of horses in Franco, and so greatly curtailed the supply sought for at the declaration of war. Fortunately, racing and hunting in England were responsible for many thousands of light horses suitable for cavalry being on hand, and so saved the situation. It is not suggested for one moment that any sport should be carried on if it is likely to interfere with recruiting. Apparently that it will not do so is recognised by the Government, and so the powers have been able to grant some material recognition of tho facts whereby the British army was largely horsed when it was vitally important to do so.