NOTES BY "ACHILLES."

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 11703, 1 November 1905, Page 7

NOTES BY "ACHILLES."

Maniapoto is one of the entrants for the Melbourne Stakes, of 700 soys., 1} miles, weight-for-age, which comes up for decision on Saturday at ths V.R.C. Spring Meeting. Gladsome, Emir,, and Marvel. Loch are also amongst those engaged, and a most interesting race may be anticipated. The result of this contest may • throw some light on the Melbourne Cup, I which is to be run for on Tuesday. | George Price has been retained to ride ' Veneer in the New Zealand Cup. The son of Quilt's owners, Messrs Baxter Brothers, are reported to have had a good win over their horse's success in the Pearco Handicap at Wellington. On the first day, in the Wainui Handicap, one of the stirrup leathers carried away, and the iron swinging about interfered with the horse's chance. The highest weight ever carried to victory in the Ns«v Zealand Cup is 8.9, under which imposts Tasman, Vanguard, and Lady Zetland each scored. Tirailleur's weight, 6.5, is the lowest yet carried by a winner. The New Zealand 'bred steeplechaser Moifaa is amonsf the entries for the Grand Sefton Steeplechase, to be run on the 9th hist. Owing to the dismissal of the bookmaVers from ths French racecourses, several small stables have decided to sell off their horses. The following horses remain in the Victoria Derby, to be run on Saturday next, the 4fch inst.:—Thackeray, Charles Stuart, Mani States. Simula, Marc Antony, T*on 'Grafton, Forest Charm, Grenadier, The Infanta, Pius, King o' Scots, Two Stan, Scotland, Circuit, Scorcher, Dantzic, Lady Wallace, Boyaroft, Jaroroori, Canonised, Grama, Royal Alliance, Lady French colt. Fairy Queen colt, Swivel gelding, Real Lady colt, and Auraria colt. An English paper stated that a question which will assuredly force itself into pro-

minence sooner or later is the question of the adoption of the totaiisator or pariniutuel on English racecourses. But here there appears to be a growing idea that we have had the totaiisator long enough.

While holding no brief for the ring, I cannot hop expressing my disgust (says the Melbourne writer "Javelin") at tho ridiculous twaddle oi.e hears concerning the owning of racehorses by bookmakers. Judging by the wild statements made, it must surely be'that thos-3 who know least about tlic subject have the most to say — like the persons when they start on the totaiisator question ! Allowing that the bookmaker makes his money out of tho racing public, in what possible way could lid better invest part of it for the bsnefit of the turf than by expending it liberally at the yearling sales? It is not too wood a game, and in the loni* run most of them pay pretty dearly for their indulgence- in a hobby. But as to the way in which bookmaker-ownors run their horses, it is beyond question that the Australian turf has had few straighter goers than F. C. Goyder, J. Thompson, W. Branch, P. Glenister, J. J. Miller, H. Oxeuham, S. Green, J. Wren. E. Kelly, and many others who might hz named.