RACING FIXTURES.

Observer, Volume XI, Issue 706, 9 July 1892, Page 12

RACING FIXTURES.

July 9 — Wellington Racing Club's Steeplechase July 14— Gisborne Park Steeplechase August 11 * 13— IT. Z. Grand National nnd Christchurch Hunt Club's Steeplechase.

It would seem that the totalizator is likely to have some very severe handling from its opponents in the House this session, and if we are to judge by the narrow majority which defeated Mr Smith's motion, it will have troublous times before the session is out. I can understand men who are not well up in sporting attempting to abolish the machine, but it does seem strange that one like Col. Fraser, who must know the infinitely greater evil from which it delivers the public, in the shape of a horde of bookmakers and spielers — should attempt to lead a crusade against what is acknowledged by all reasoning men to be the fairest system of betting. The different syste&s have had fair trials both in this and other colonies, and the unanimous verdict of disinteiested parties is that where the totalizator exists there is fairer racing and comparatively no attempt at swindling. I am assured that it will indeed be a bad day for racing in New Zealand when it is again put into the hands of the bookmakers, as it will undoubtedly be if the totalizator is abolished. The Colonel waxes virtuously indignant when he speaks of ladies going to the jpckey boys for tips. This, I think, must be an imaginary evil, as during all the time I ha?e been attending race meetings in Auckland, a case of the description he quotes haß never come under my notice, nor do I think from what I have seen is such a case atjill likely to occur. Another argument in favour of the machine is that it is entirely a cash transaction, and there is not therefore the same chance of men being led out of their depth as in the case of betting with bookmakers, where wagers are made months before tbe race, on credit, whioh leads them to speculate far more than they oan afford to lose, and puts them in very Beriouß straits when the time comes to pay up. Again, money invested on the machine is returned to the publia less ten per cent, this ten per cent is distributed in stakes, less a small percentage paid for working expenses, which stakes are given for the purpose of improving ihe breed of horses. There is no other profit to be made out of it. On the other hand, when a horss wins, or a combination of horses win, which have not been backed with a bookmaker, that gentleman quie'tJy pockets everything. With the machine, if a horse wins, and is not backed, all the money is returned, less the ten per cent. Tbat the machine may continue to exist as long as racing exists in New Zealand is my sincere wish, as I am assured tbat if it is abolished the last state will be worse than the first.

The Conference which takes place at Wellington this month, so far as the for mation of the New Zealand Jockey Club is concerned, is likely to have some trouble with the Dunedin Jockey Club. From Southern fileß to band, they have been

instructed to oppose its formation in any shape. This would Beem, to say the least of it, a peculiar policy for that club to pursue, and decidedly inconsistent ; for bave we not had within a few weeks accounts of the Secretary of the D.J.C. having been present at and taken part in the New Zealand Trotting Association meeting. If we are to judge by appearances, his club is a strong supporter of that institution, so far as trotting is concerned. Why; then, if a New Zealand Trotting Association is held by them to be necessary, should they put their foot down so decidedly against what would really be a similar institution? It they had any alteration in tbe constitution to suggest, and instructed their delegates to insist on it, that would seem more reasonable ; but their present action seems to savour of selfishness, pure and simple.

In America there are 298 pacers and 442 trotters who have done a mile in 2min 20sec or better. Mr James Kirkwood left for Wellington on Monday last to represent the Auckland Racing Club at the oonfe rence of delegates. Medallion goes to the stud this season. This is, I think, the first of Nordenfeldt's stock to perform stud duties in New Zealand. I hear he looks the picture of health. In speaking of Mr Marshall's filly Puwerewere, an error occurred in my notes of last week. I stated that she was in Mason's hands. I should have said Cutts, not Mason. By the Southern papers to hand, I see that the Dunedin Jockey Club has instructed its representatives, the Hon. G. McLean and Mr H. S. Fish, M.H.R.'s, to oppose the formation of the proposed New Zealand Jockey Club in any shape. The Messrs Duder would seem to have done the correct thing in bringing Cuirassier back to Auckland. His list of thirty mares is full, and from the quality of those going to him he should distinguish himself during this his first season. From accounts of the Hawkes Bay Steeplechase to hand, it would appear that Mr J. B. Williamson had hard luck in his horse falling. Opinions seem to be unanimous that he would have won but for his accident. Napoleon, the sire of the. unfortunate Silvermine, was shot a few weeks ago in Tasmania. Silvermine, it will be remembered, was twice placed in the Melbourne Cup and onoe in the Newmarket Handicap and Sydney Cup. By Australian files to hand, I see that notwithstanding the near approach of the Grand National Meeting, there is no decided favourite for either race ; it is stated that 100 to 1 might with a little pressure be obtained about anything in tbe double. Fuss, a daughter of that great old turf hero Commotion from Alert, and thf* first of his stock, won the Sandown Park Handicap on the 18th June. She is said to have won very comfortably at the finish from the favourite Aurelius. Mr Nathan is having Miss Letty brought back to Auckland, and intends racing her in New Zealand next season. She has had some bad luck on the other side, but I feel assured that she will pick up a fair share of the loaves and fishes of the New Zealand turf during the ensuing season. Orme would seem to have quite recovered from his trouble, whatever it may have been. I see he is quoted favourite for the St. Leger at 5 „to 1. Manser, the trainer, has it is stated, a son eight years of age whose weight is Ist 131bs. The boy and his pony are well-known at Newmarket, England. At the Sherwood Park racecourse on the 16th June, a horse called Rattler, after passing the post in the hurdle race, was Been to stagger a little ; his rider had just time to jump off his back when he fell down, and was dead in a few minutes. It was surmised that he had strained himself in a race on the previous day. George Hope had an outing in a' new line at Hawkes Bay the other day. At the Hawkes Bay Trotting Club Winter Meeting he rode the winners of three races, being Mr Munn's Gold Dust in the Maiden Saddle, Mr Stohr's Charley in the H.B.T. Handicap, and Captain Russell in the Pony Harness Trot. In every oase the dividends were good, Gold Dust paying £3 3s, Charlie, £5 17s and Captain Russell, £4 Bs.