SPORTING.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 11643, 22 August 1905, Page 7

SPORTING.

The annual report of the - AshliurstPohangina Racing Club shows a healthy state o£ affairs. Last year's meeting resulted in a profit of ,£4OO, while the actual receipts over the previous twelve months showed an advance of .£ll. This was in spite of the wet weather. New buildings and improvements cost the Club during the year a sum of 41333. The excess of assets over liabilities is . ' estimated at ,£2185 15s 3d. The fact of only .£3,942,000 having passed through the totalisator from the fceginning of this year up to May 31 is said to have been responsible for the French Government's decision to suppress bookmakers on racecourses. In France 8 per cent, is deducted from totalisator investments, and the money so derived is dividod as follows: 1 per cent, for the purchase of eligible breeding material, 2 per cent. for the creation and amelioration of certain charitable institutions", 4 per cent, for the Racing Societies for -the payment of necessary expenses, and another 1 for cent, for the purpose of bringing pure and drinkable water to different districts where a supply needed. When the French colt Val dOr beat Cicero in the Eclipse Stakes last month, the latter started favourite at 13 to 8 on. He made all the running 1 , but "Val dOr came at him at the finish, and boat him home by half a length, with Llangibby only ttiree-quarters of a length further off. The runners included Polymelus, a three-y.^ar-old half-brother, by Cyllene, to Grafton. He started at 25 to 1, and did no better than his price suggested would be the case. Just before the last mail left England backers were taking 6 to 4 about Cicero for the St. Leger, but consequent on his defeat by Val dOr, it is probable wiat a more liberal price is available now. O. Madden 'had a great innings afc Sandown Park on July 1, scoring five wins out of six mounts. One of the winners he rode started at 20 to 1, and another at 8 to 1. This ought to have been good for the followers of Madden,- but the probabilities are that nearly all those backers who started out this season with the idea of backing Maddens mounts have dropped out, as though he has been doing a lot of riding, his winning average is very poor.