SPORTING.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 11282, 9 January 1915, Page 10

SPORTING.

RACING Alt TROTTING. NOTES BY "AKBS." FIXTURES. .Umi«rv ». ±\. ■iV-Wcllmgt.oH "Rar.inr.' ('mn. January -3V. Pork Trottuif; i,aih. February (5 ■ Canterbury .lockfy (Jl«l>. February 13-- Mfiropolibu TroUinjr. *- *""■ Mr T H. Da»'t-v is duo. '» l.on early next H-rrk, when hr ami Mr Gemgo Hunter, M.IV. will deal wi.n preliminaries rHaling t» ihe Hicreasr of totalizator permits. Tlv An wlm-i. wns parked hist m-s.siou Micivnsr.l 1 .)<■ number of tolalisaior licences ly thirtv-one, f'uch available tor our <hi.\, but "iho number of .-.ppln-afions rfrontlv in ejcres.s of the permit* acatl,ih|e. ' Thus. I'or fifteen p.-nmU awarded u> racing clubs there, arc fiftv-six applications, while nineteen hunt dubs lire in lor n share o! the eight, permits open 10 them. and twelve for the eight given vn trotting clubs. These figures are Mifficiont to crjvp a 'slight indication of the magnitude of the i»i*lt which hns been miposed on Messrs Hunter and Dave?, the commissioner'- appointed to report cm the applications before the final allocation ir, mad-. In order to arrive at a reasonable decision, they will make a tour of the Dominion, inspecting every course and gathering as milch information as possible concerning each of the applications. From whatever aspect ir is viewer!, the posii tion is lull of difficulties. Clubs of all classes are represented in the list of those desiring a share in the fresh allocation' of totfllisator permits. Some of them have their courses in districts which are already comparatively handy to plenty of racing, while others cater' for the people of the backblocks. The claims of out of the way districts are certain to receive careful consideration from the commission, and there can be no doubt that it. was with a special view to providing sport for country residents that many members of Parliament supported Mr George Hunter's measure last session, ft is si debatenblc question whet Iter meetings held in out of the way districts are of, much real benefit to the sport, but the argument that the larger centres are already sufficiently catered for is entitled to serious consideration. J expert to find that the North Island will receive a good proportion of the new permits, especially if the commission takes a favourable view of vhc claims put forward by remote districts. Tit parts of the XnYth island settlement is going on very rapidly, and with an eye to future growth it seems probable that the commission will allocate a number of permits to districts which are likely to become important centres during the next few years, even though there may appear to be small prospects for a successful meeting at present. The chances of some districts securing reeoipiit.ion. particularly in the South Island, will be prejudiced by the fact that, they contain several small picnic clubs, each of which is out for recognition. They cannot all be successful, and they may all fail hecause they will not come to a mutual arrangement for amalgamation, which might enable them to hold one good meeting each year, in place of the present, round of small fixtures. The constitution of the Racing Commission. which is about to commence- work is interesting. Mr George Hunter, one of the members', was the author of the Act which has made the increase of totalisntor permits possible, while his coadjutor. Mr T. H. Davey, opposed the measure, being of opinion that there were already sufficient permits, and that a redistribution would have accomplished all that was required. This, however, will not affect Mr Davey's attitude now. He and Mr Hunter are both experienced men where racing is concerned, and as they both hare the courage of their opinions the task of making the allocation could not by in better hands. That they trill nlea.se everyone is not to.be expected, but they can be trusted to take a broad view of the position, and the final result will be-the establishment of totalisator clubs in districts which appear to h&.ve reasonable prospects of proving most beneficial to the sport. tf*Msms4*Wvv> - .--. „,

The totalisa-tor investments at meetings held during the recent holiday totalled £848.812, compared with £7*1,594 a year ago. The increase was well .distributed, nearly every meeting "claiming a share. The chief exception'was the Atarton h.vture, atwhich the investments dropped from £41,J69 to, £37,143. but as fields were very small in several event* the falling off was uo matter for surprise. Viewed from ..the standpoint of totalisator in-vei-rtrnents, the results appp-ar to sugges'£ that there is .p]enty "of room total! the meetings held during the Christmas and New Year holiday,". A st-ody of the position in other directions, however, does not provide endorsement of that opinion. At some of the meeting* the field* were miserablv small, quit*'"apart from the fact that the quality ""was very poor. In order to secure a share of pat.ronnf.je I'ro'hi owner?, clubs racing during the holidays have to provide good sflakes, but in iUH\M'.al instances these failed altogether in attracting adequate support. the result being that n few rich prizes were oapliir*»r] by horses which at ordinary would find it, difficult to mai<e any show in minor events. The art of properlv placing, their horses, in order to secure the best results, appears to be quite overlooked by some, owners, while others mnkc a careful study of this important department, with highly satisfactory results. This fact was brought prominently under notice in more than one instance in connection with the recentholiday fixtures. Some of r.h* winners may obtain false reputations on account, of their successes, hut if they are assessed more highlv than they deservo during the remainder of the reason their owners will have no special ground for _ complaint, having already obtained prise money far in excess of what the actual performances merited.

(herubini continues t<i disappoint hu connections in Australia. At Sydney Taftersall's meeting nn Xpw Scar's Day. he was one of the favourites for the "Welvfr Handicap, one mile nud a furlong being weighted at Bst 121b. with a 7st 71b minimum, but he finished last-

Judging by the manner in which mile races, both in saddle and harness, are patronised by owners of trotting. horses, and by the way they are sup" ported by the public, they are the nio.v; popular of races. | ;nVI nilfi ) Km / ever, who does not think that th» dashes over f.lin distance me altogether for the betterment of the sport. There is surh nu elemenl of luck i n mileraces that a lot of the pure racing excitement is absent. The work of the handicappev. too, is not of much value, in short races, for the reason that any slight mistake made in the race gives the horse'no chance of succors: in fact, it has frequently been said that if a field of a dozen milers in one of the. short limit races over the distance were started ten times, at least seven or eight different winners would he. fou 11$. Another peculiar feature of mile "races is that they rarely produce close finishes. It is true that at the. recent Canterbury Park Club's meeting the mile harness event on the second day produced a very close finish, hut this was an exception and not the rule. My attention hw he&?< fi£T-~-7} to another feature in these races. Horses that have shown fast miles,.jut

raoes over a mile and a halt or two mile courses, when raced in mile events are uivible to cover the eight furlongs as fast as they do in the longer" distances. Now. it is quite obvious that, a horse that can travel the first, mile of a two-mile race in 2m in 17seo or 2min 18sce should, when sent over a mile course, do fa.ster time for the distance, but innumerable cases could be quoted in which horses have signa.lly failed in the attempt. To a large extent [ think the riders and drivers' nf the horses in the sprint events are to blame, because in these races they are so anxious to get their charges off. on the top gear at the- start that horses are frequently over-ridden or driven and fail to settle properly down to their gait or show the extreme speed that is necessary to accomplish the distance in the time. I am quite, aware that the positions occupied by contestants in a race are an important factor, and further that what is known as the luck of the race frequently necessitates riders and drivers striving to get clear of any both*r early. Tn mile scampers m lot of horses practically stop .to nothing over the last part of the journey, and it most be admitted that there ir; something to be said in favour of the cool rider and driver who will allow Iris horse to get properly on his feet and into his gait before, being urged to bis greatest speed. ... ......

Flora M.'vcdonald is causing her trainer. W. If. Thonrsou, considerable anxiety. One of her fore-legs has developed a. pronounced weakness, and it is understood that the useful daughter of Roniform will have to be treated to a lengthy respite.

R. J. Mason will leave for Trentham on Monday with Emiierador and Nones, both of whom are galloping freely. The former is perhaps not quite back to his best, form, but he should run prominently in whatever he may hi? reserved for, while Nones should also play her part well. Tin's pair, with Sutala and Bimeter, will make up a useful quartet to represent Mr G. D. Greenwood's- colours at the summer meeting of tta Wellington Racing Club.

Autumnus has been favouring his weak leg during the last few days, and tins morning his task was a couole of stcaCy circuits on the plough, therefore I should'opine that the brillia.nt son of Goldleaf will be unlikelv to fulfil his engagement in the Waterloo Stakes at Trentham. which will be a matter for general regret.

Despite 3 dull and threatening morning ruin held off until the greater portion of the early work was completed, but- it then set in and continued steadily for the remainder of .the morning. All the work was performed on the ploughed gallop, which provided good going. Nones, with Emerson up, galloped half a' mile pleasingly. Wise Bird defeated Flying Start in a spin over five furlongs. The latter, however, was probably" taking advantage of. his diminutive pilot, a-% he is a lazy worker.

Emperador, with the assistance of the Charlemagne IT. --Annabelle filly over the. first part, traversed seven furlongs, but he wa,s not- out on a timenut king mission.

FabrikofT, with the assistance of Findhorn over th& last part, galloped six furlongs, finishing well. Spangle and Gyp brushed over five furlongs. while Ardenvhor and Patroclu.-, spurted half a mile.

Court Martial and -Don Francisco traversed a circuit, at three-quarter speed, and Holiday defeated Harlequin in a spin over three furlongs up the back.

The Martian-Bloomer eolt in F. Holmes's stable is now a regular visitor to the tracks. He is a nell-growa youngster and on appearances and breeding should develop into a useful, horse.

■So far no decision lias been arrived at ;.'s to whether the new six-furlong course at. Trentham will be used at the Wellington Cup meeting this month, and the matter may not "be finally f,ettlod until near the opening of tin* meeting. The 'grn.-ya j s growing 'well, but much will depeud on the weather experienced between now and Wellington Cup day.

[ndign •>, :i sound favourite for the Wellington Cup. for which he is regarded »<• n. certain starter. He baa got off with a pound less than weightr-/or-agp. which is very favourable treatment, after hi? effort in running a dead heat with Wnrstep in the New Zealand Cup. especially in view of the; form that. \Varstep has since shown. .Mr Oeorgv hunter. M.P., the ownpr of Indigo, won the Wellington Cup with Cyniscs in 1890. 1891 and 1892.

Th<-- Hawora trainer. P. Coffey, left Wellington for Sydney on Friday with the four-year-old horse Lord Multifid, by Multifid—Lady Noll, half-sister tn Sweet ffelen, the dam of Lady BSack So far Lord Multifid has hot sported! silk, but he is a good-looking horse, with a groat private reputation. He. was accompanied on the trip to Sydney by the hurdler. Kurnalpi.

J, T>eerey seems to have a Mortgage on the .Auckland Hurdle B,ace, run on' the concluding day of the big Ellerslie holiday carnival, that horseman having steered the winner of that particular' event no fewer than three, times during the last four years. His successes were lecorded on Llovds. Phroso and Hereford, while in the missing year he did not have a ride. It is reported thnt Sinapis. who wiz lame after taking part in the Auckland Cup, hn.s not yet recovered., and he:\ chartce of starting in the Wellington l j Cup is regarded as remote. •. ° | At Flemingto 1 )! ou January 1 ( thej ■New Zealand horseman Joseph. O'Connell won both jumping events. In the Hurdle Race he was successful on Bennitas. and in the January Steeplechase the race was awarded to Fireworks after the winner, Barfleur, had beeiii; disqualified. i The Wanganui Trotting Club will, give £IOOO in stt&es at Its annual meeting, to he held on February 28 audi M,irvb 1. Tlipse-dfitos fit in thtf

Wanganui Jockey Club's Cup fixture, so that, there should be a big attendwhi'e the growing popularity of trotting in the district' should ensure a. successful meeting. Mr H. Thompson'has been appointed starter for the. Akaroa County Racing Club's meeting, which will be held early in March. Mr Thompson filled the. position of starter at the Wyndham Racing Club's meeting on Now Year's Day. noting for both'galloping and trotting events. TtTwa.s his first appearance as a starter in Southland, 3nd he created a very favourable impression, securing gocd despatches throughout the whole of the day. With the present dearth of competent starters in the South Island, there should be a chance or him securing a number or > appointments before long. Immer, who registered some 'attractive performances last reason, but who has tailed to .strike form so far this season, has gone back to her old quarters in (,'. Pritchard's stable at irentbam.

J he I'orbury Park Trotting Club has received excellent nominations for it* summer meeting, which will bo held on .January 27 and .30. All the races nave been well supported. It ig worth mentioning that in the two duel evo„ts, with the exception of ro nmy C.. Avho ,s trained in the Oamaiu district, all the entries are from Canterbury. As usual there is a strong of Southland horses en £« a ™' f' ha \P»™n*i«K Auckland tiotter Grattan Abbey is also nomin-

FOXTON RACING CLUB. .[Per Press Association.] 'pl ~, • WEL LINGTpN, January 6. rlartd .i? U<M " n * >n<K<*P» W beon . de-

HURDLE HANDICAP <%f inn *. 1% K in J? V S P e 98t ' Blftck Queen wane Flume 9st, Lady Staowaa 9st, Vigilant ELECTRIC. HACK 'HANDICAP, of i OO Emu'" 9s *r Si * Kate st. J7!b Combustion 7-st 9b, W*nt 7et <3lb Pot M 7,1-911,, The Diver' 7st 71b & night Star 7s t 31b, Jean LrMo 7 s t VlaS 'st. K<ym*ko 6sfc 71b. »««ifcn

a F «iw N v U ?' o! s°, S0V8; °- »a. and S.f 9 iQU t""- ut «* G,ri 9it > Deal OrW ' lT T X 8 Ch *™™«* ?8t 1818 v»V est 7ih £l m 7s l n] l 3 ' Ladif y 78t . S««et v rfj bst lib, bxjver l.iood 6«l 7lb AWAHOTJ HACK WBLTUa- HANDICAP of 100 soys; one mile an d 100 vaids-M^gt;; Amy. 9st 121b, Soponnc 9st 51b,.Te Hou Hou 9st alb, Papalitz 9st 21b, Pw 9 S «.u Force B,t JBlb. Silver Flood Bst 21b Ir iMshn- B*t 91b Mdodiet Sat Bb. Ser-nitv 8»t 71b, Hiwhabye Bst 6!b, Sir Aen« flit Bib, Sir Wallace 5,t Sib, Midnjhtlftar 8s l'b, Capteui -Mackft,- Bbl 31b. Miter Mouto*

PLYING HANDICAP. 0 J ]SO BVr , ix arlonge-Bhick Lupin 9dt , Orleaiw s tl ,s Ladv Moutoa Sst 31b, Crawford fist all, Sarbouitft 6st 71b. vf »«»ora test Mb,

DASH HACK HANDICAP, at .00 SOvSfive fuHongs-Powdßr Fox 9st.' A'ew YovkMi 131b Miu K«% M Rib, Mwtirt S t m W'.o'ett* 7st 13Jb. Pot Luck 7st IMI V i HBRIUNGTOiV WELTER HANDICAP 'ef 100 gov?: jieven furlongs— Muster T.imln "o.'t 131b L,,puki M fflb/Wk Victern. Stet 51b, Monologue 8.4 Wlb S 5f f ' » lb - *■«« Brt 4.4. Sweet r7»v Sat «M Port Srt 21b, Mulrteer Tat 111b

" Punch."