Sporting.

Taranaki Herald, Volume L, Issue 12437, 15 December 1903, Page 2

Sporting.

TUEF TOPICS, BY TAKAffAin..;

An association has been formed i(i the South Island, with headquarters at Ghristohurch, with the' object of in^ ducing racing clubs -to Ucense booM makers. The Southland Bacilg, Club has agreed to issue "licenses, charging, £5 5s foe the right to, bet inside and ; £2 10 outside per' Hay. An effort is being made to bring the West Coast clubs into line.

The -acceptances for the , Taranaki Xmas Meeting - imust, all things considered, foe deemed satisfactory. The number of horses in training in this district is smaller than in any pre-r vious season for some years past, and again th© quality of - ,those ', in connmission this year ia only medfe ocre. On acceptance night very few dropped out of the handicaps, and in a few instances the cause was' breakfing down in training. With fine weathec the Club should have a. satis- 1 factpry reunion at Xmas. Battleaxe and Okoari have both been thrown out of work. The former has sadly disappointed his connections of late, and the latter has not recovered from the -injury- she -sustained "at the time of- the Wellington Spring MeetTreadmill is still a finm favourite. for the Auckland Cup. Idas, Strainavon, General Symons, and Melodeon are also fancied in some ~ quarters. Honor o is the best fancied -in ythe. Bailway Handicap, and Petrovpa M and Gladsome have also been coupled, with those most favoured in the Cup. The local horse, Waiwera, is still, in the Cup list, . and as the final payment is at the post his owner; .will. have" plenty of time to detdrpiinfe 1 Wheiherrhe will start ihe. gelding for the big ; eventf'or reserve him -for the' hurdles at Amcjfeland or Manawatu. ,; '*-