RACING.

Waikato Times, Volume 101, Issue 16969, 4 December 1926, Page 19 (Supplement)

RACING.

FROM TRACK AND STABLE (By "M'-rtlan.”) SEASON’S FIXTURES. December 4—Taumarunui. December 8, 9.—Woodville. December 10 and 11. —S. Canterbury. December It.—Waipa. December IG, 18-—Dargaviile. December 27, 29, January 1, 3 Auckland. December 27, 28, 30—Manawatu. December 27, 28 —Taranaki. December 27, 2S —Dunedin. TROTTING DATES. December 8, 11—Wellington. December 16, 18. —New Brighton. December 27. —Ashburton. December 27.—Gore December 27, 28. —South Walrarapa. December 27, 28. —Westport. December 28, 30, 31 —Auckland December 3U. —Winlon ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. ‘Rules" Patcrangi—The stewards may remove the judge, starter, clerk of course, clerk of the scales, or any other official during the race meeting and may appoint, should they consider it desirable to do so, a deputy or assistant of any such official. No such official shall employ a deputy. "Wager” Morrinsville —(1) Bedford won the Takapuna Jockey Club Handicap of 1915. J. Conquest rode the Bunyan representative. (2) In weight for age races mares are allowed 51b from August 1 to December 31; 31b from January 1 to March 31; 21b from April 1 to July 31. “Curious” Waitetuna —Quondong had an allowance of 31b when he won the Frankton Handicap at To Rapa last month with 8.5. (2) If no ticket is taken out on the first horse in a race the amount paid for each ticket, less the usual commisison, is refunded on the production and delivery of the ticket.

THOROUGHBREDS FOR GERMANY. SWINDLING OF CLIENTS. AGENTS PAY PENALTY. For some time English and American apers have contained reference to dissatisfaction in connection with purchases of stallions for Germany. The Union Club, the controlling racing body of Germany, recently went into the matter, and the outcome was that three Germans associated with the purchase of Caligula, were warned off for life. It was decided there was nothing against an Irish exporter, whose name was also mentioned in the matter. There has been a lot of trouble in Germany relative to the purchase in England of two stallions. One was Poisoned Arrow, on behalf of the German Government, and the other Caligula, for the Union Club (the Jockey Club of Germany). Questions were first asked in Parliament, and, according to Mr F. Becker, of the “Thoroughbred Record” (Lexington), the stewards of the Union Club have since warned off for life all parties to the transaction. He states it was proved that, by gross misrepresentation, the agents for the German Government and the Union Club had made a profit of £7500 on Caligula, and over £SOOO on Poisoned Arrow'. The owner of Caligula actually received 15,500gn5, and Poisoned Arrow’s owner 25,000gn5, the German agents adding the rest for their own benefit.

In Australia many years ago it was not altogether unusual for the agent of some buyer in India to receive a receipt for a greater amount than tic paid for a horse, hut the owners of Caligula and Poisoned Arrow were not men to be associated with dubious business of that kind.

The Caligula Sale.

The “Sporting Life” (London) has special reference to the case of Caligula, and says that the purchase of the horse was entrusted to a trainer and a German nobleman, and these two, in ‘conjunction with a German horsedealer, arranged matters so that the Union Club was defrauded of £7500. Seventeen judges and live solicitors were engaged in clearing up the matter, and the Arbitration Court Turf Committee Anally warned off from all German racecourses the three German accused. In the case of an Englishman stated to have taken some part in the negotiations in England, the committee decided there was not sufficient evidence to justify it in taking action. Irish Exporter. The “Englishman" mentioned in the matter, was an "Irishman,''’ Mr Myerscough, an exporter of bloodstock and owner of racehorses. The London “Sporting Life’s.” Dublin correspondent says the Germans desired to secure for the stud a son of The Tetrarch, of whose male progeny 1 here is a very limited number. Mr Mycrscough sough t to obtain the order to purchase sucli a stallion for 1 lie Germans, but was informed I hat an agent sent over direct from Germany would select, and purchase, a suitable stallion. Mr Mycrscough thereupon, decided that, as a speculation, he would buy Caligula, a son of The Tetrarch, who was at the stud in England and was possessed of a most attractive pedigree. The range of selection for the agent from Germany was a narrow one, and, when lie had completed his inquiries, he discovered that the only purchascable son of The Tetrarch was Caligula, who was submitted to volinary examination and tho purchasemoney paid for him. lie was Imported into Germany and accepted by the Union Club of Berlin for the German Breeders’ Association. Mr Myerscough’s Case. No question was raised about Caligula until tiiis year, when fault was found with Ihc number of his offspring proportionate to I lie number of his alliances. Humour gained currency that everyone conned-* with the

horse’s sale and purchase w-ould be warned off the German Turf.

Mr Myerscough, having heard the rumour, went at once to Berlin, verified what was being said, and returned to London, where he consulted a firm of solicilors, who advised him to lay the history of his connection with the Iransaction. before Lhc stewards of the English Jockey Club and Irish Turf Club, and also to swear an affidavit in London and present it to the racing authorities in Germany.

Mr Myerscough followed the advice given to him. lie presented his affidavit in Berlin, with the result that the allegations made against him were dismissed as unworthy of notice.

It may be added that the Jockey Club in England insisted on Mr Myerscough running his horses in English races, in spite of the fact that the air at that time was full of rumours, false though they were. • Mr Myerscough had offered not to run any horses in England while his case was sub judice in Berlin, but the Jockey Club refused even to entertain the consideration of such an offer. Mr Myerscough was not concerned with improper profit in the matter, but the finding of the' Arbitration Court Turf Committee showed it was satisfied the German agents had gained a lot of money in dubious fashion. THREE YEAR OLD STAYERS. NOT NUMEROUS IN AUSTRALIA. RAMPION BELOW STANDARD. (By “Pilot” in the Referee). In cannot be claimed that tin’s season's three-year-olds include many good slayers, llampion and Limerick, the best of their age, were unplaced in the Melbourne Cup. Owing to his foot, excuse is possible for Limerick, but Rampion ran sucli a poor race that,- as al’Ler the Rosehill Guineas, lie is again regarded with doubt as a stayer. Rampion is not up to the standard of Manfred as a three year old, but with liis engagements including the two St. Legers, he will probably earn much more at the same age. Racing men who arc inclined to stress the alleged deterioration of our thoroughbreds are able to point out that Melbourne Cup results of recent years tend to prove the lack of staying three years olds.

Without going too far back, it may be mentioned that Poseidon, Prince Foote, Patrobas, and Artilleryman were equal to successfully carrying weight-for-age—Prince Foote had 21b in excess of it—but since Patrobas, in 1915, nothing has brought off the Derby and Cup double. Artilleryman certainly went very close, running second to Richmond Main in the Derby, and turning the tables on him in the Cup. Sister Olive was ttie only three year old Cup winner after Artilleryman, and since then the best of the three year olds have been downed by the older horses.

When Spearfelt was beaten by Backwood and Stand By, they had an advantage on w.f.a. figures, but it was on w.f.a. terms Windbag downed Manfred last year, and Rampion, with 31b more than weight-for-age, was finished with five furlongs from home in this year’s Cup. Manfred’s Form. Windbag did not run in the Melbourne Cup as a three year old, and probably it would not have made any difference if he had, as it was not until the Autumn he really developed. After his A.J.C. Derby win under most disadvantageous conditions, Manfred was proclaimed a phenomenon. He failed to prove it in the Melbourne Cup, as he had every chance of beating the four year old Windbag, but was fairly outstayed. It is generally accepted that a high-class three year old should beat the best four year old on w.f.a. terms in a Melbourne Cup, and that Manfred failed was considered by pessimists to uphold their deterioration theory. Manfred, despite his Melbourne Cup defeat, was one of the best three year olds Australia produced, and it is regrettable that nothing seen out this season is nearly as good as he was last spring. At the same time —owner’s, trainer's, and jockey’s opinion to the contrary—l do not think Manfred would have won this year's Cup witli 151 b over weight-for-age. . Respective Chances. It is certain, though, ho would have got home ahead of Rampion, who, as lhc winner of both Derbies, must be reckoned the best slaying three year old of this season. In winning the Victorian Derby Rampion finished so gamely, after makjng most of the Tuning, that even those who were previously opposed to liim admitted it was probable lie would stay. However, in tlie Melbourne Cup, at his first run against older horses, he failed so lamentably that many arc now inclined to class him merely as the best of a lot of moderates of his own age up to a mile and a half.

May Do Better,

It might be unwise, though, to completely discount Hampion as a stayer because of Ids Melbourne Cup showing. There was nothing wrong with ids appearance on die day—in fact, lie could not have looked belter —but lie did not even repeat his Derby form. He should, at least, have done as well as Limerick up .to a mile and a half, but ids showing was not a good as that of the latter. Only for Hie way Limerick ran in die .Chelmsford Slakes and Craven Plate it would lie possible to write off all the Ihreo year olds as a bad lot, but die fact remains that lie downed Windbag in one race, and should have done so in another, and also beat Yaliearc and Amounis. As Lampion beat Limerick cadi of tho three limes they met. ho must,

through the latter, be accounted much better than his Melbourne Cup running might suggest, even though below the standard anticipated at the commencement of the season. Nevertheless, it would, at this stage, be difficult to declare for him in preference to three or four of the older horses lie may meet in w.f.a. races in the autumn. Good Prospects. Against those of his own age lie will have two excellent opportunities of augmenting his earnings. As Cromwell, who beat Rampion in the ltoschill Guineas, was recently gelded, it is probable ho will be an absentee, Limerick has to recover from his foot trouble, and Rampion should again beat Raron and Thracian when ho meets them in the St. Lcgcr. Bicolour may be a newcomer among Rampion’s opponents, and as lie has completely recovered from the trouble that caused his retirement in the spring, and is otherwise doing well, he may have to be taken into account. On the other hand, he has yet xo leave the maiden ranks, and, though Rampion is not as good as many three year olds which have preceded him, he may add the two St. Legers to his wins of this season. If so, that will send his two and three year old total to nearly £30,000, which will be very satisfactory, even though he falls short of being a champion. INCOMPETENT RIDING. PESSIMISTIC FOR THE FUTURE. The outstanding feature of the Turf in this country at present is the incompetent riding, and on all sides one hears pessimistic views expressed regarding the future. It is hard to understand why more lads are not offering in tlie jockeys’ profession, for there arc few walks of life where success is accompanied by so much financial gain. Til present register of licensed apprentices shows some 130 lads given permission to ride, and it is safe to conclude that amongst them only a very small percentage will ever make jockeys. Amongst the fulllledgcd jockeys themselves it has to be said that there is at the present time an unduly large number of incompetents. Perhaps there is room for hope, in spite of tlie existing outlook. At any rate, it would appear that there have been Similar periods in the past, and reading a chapter of that most interesting book “The Racehorse in Training,” by William Day, one of the most noted of English trainers, published in 1880, one comes across a criticism of the young men of the saddle of that time, every word of which might have been written to-day. The chapter which is devoted to “Jockeys” says, inter alia: “The difficulties of the trainer do not end when he has had tlie happy fortune to secure a good horse and brings him fit and well to the post, for then comes the all important and difficult-10-bc-answered question, ‘Who is to ride him?' In times gone by ... .

there were men of lalenL in the profession who rode scientifically. Today, with a few brilliant exceptions, the charge often heard that our jockeys are ‘a host of butcher boys’ is, unfortunately not far from the truth, for they are for the most part precocious lads who neither know their own business nor will submit to be taught it by those who do. If you have weight to spare, you may chance to secure the services of an experienced jockey, but more often you have to put up a useless boy, and bear as best you can the inevitable defeat. ... At the

start, boys (for I allude to them —the light-weights of tho present day) are generally ’.eft at the post, or get badly off, and ride their horses to a standstill before half the distance lias been gone over, in die vain hope of regaining their lost ground. After the race the youngster has the audacity, with smiling face, to tell you he was Arst away to a very good start; at any rate lie will never admit being farther from the Arst horse than a length or or two. . . What possible chance lias your horse in a race (for two year olds or over six furlongs) with twenty or thirty runners in which the loss of a few lengths would seriously jeopardise your chance in die hands of an experienced jockey, if, with a mere boy up, treble that distance be lost? The horse in reality would be much better in his stable. . . It is unfortunately not much better in long-distance races. It is true that in these die start is not so all-import-ant. The lost ground may be made up, and your hopes momentarily raised at the prospect of success; yet before die lad’s assistance is needed lie is 100 tired to urge ids horse to the utmost speed. He loses a race ho ought to have won, and you receive the heartfelt condolence of your friends on your bad luck. If, nettled at the result, you venture a remonstrance, the youth, with a conAdent audacity, will lay the blame upon the horse . . . He will probably look you in the face and declare that the horse was not At, and that beat him. This is the result of trials and months of watchfulness at home. Your calculations arc upset by Hie woeful exhibitions of these pygmies, when your horse, in, primest condition, comes to run in public.” There is a great deal more on llic same subject, and it would not come amiss to die aspiring horsemen of to-day to read and inwardly digest die wisdom of that old English trainer, a master in his profession, writes “The Watcher.” But perhaps it would be a case of scecl falling upon barren ground. The pictures and a “fag,” to say nothing of oilier con Armed habits of indulgence, exert a powerful influence on die younger generation of to-day, and they frequently leave employment without notice where a master is a strict disciplinarian. If they knew it, lie is often their only real friend.

THE WAIPA CLUB. RACING NEXT SATURDAY. The prospects for die annual meeting of die Waipa Club, which will take place at To Awamutu next Saturday, appear decidedly favourable. A good acceptance list lias been received and Hie quality of tiio racing promises in ho good. As this meeting is die dress rehearsal to the more important holiday gatherings, llicre will naturally lie very marked interest in. die form shown by candidates Willi duty at provincial headquarters before die month is out. Tho Waipa Club deserves a full measure of support and, given line weather, it is assured a strong patronage towards its popular gathering next Saturday.

GOOD FOR THE BEST. “For my own part, I should like to see Limerick put by for next spring,” writes “Pilot.” “Of courso, such a long spell would cost him the opportunity of winning some valuable stakes, but it should assure complete recovery from his lameness. His running In the Craven PSate should make him good enough for any Australian company at four years. In that race he appeared unlucky to bo defeated by Windbag, and got home ahead of Valicare and Amounis, and It will be unnecessary for him to improve upon that to enable him to pay expenses In w.f.a. races over hero next season.”

GOSSIP FROM ALL PARTS.

The Woodville meeting will bo held on Wednesday and Thursday. There will be racing at Timaru on Friday and Saturday. Prospects of Auckland Cup and Railway candidates are under early review. Glentruin is reported to have been unlucky in the Stakes at Feilding. Gauntlet displayed good jumping when he scored over hurdles at Feilding. Ring the Belt is moulding into racing shape and the Hapsburg gelding is likely to be prominent before the holiday fixtures arc terminated. Oscillation, who raced at Feilding, is a two year old half brothel’, by Day Comet, to Suggestion. Ho is liable to show up in his own class soon^ Town Bank ran fair races at the Takapuna meeting. As these were his first starts for some time, the Archiestown —Lilybank gelding should be all the better for them. Transformer does not relish heavy tracks. Now that the latter are becoming firmer, tlie Thurnham —Mangamaire gelding should do better. Transformer raced at Takapuna but he was not prominent. Pavo had the going to his liking at Takapuna but tlie aged Welkin —Land Rose gelding could not produce the requirements for victory. The Archiestown —Mon Amie mare Arch Amie came back to racing at Takapuna, after a lengthy spell, occasioned through a fall she sustained at Te Rapa last season. Arch Amie ran sufficiently well in tlie Ngatarlnga Handicap on Wednesday, to indicate that she should soon be near her best again. Tutankhamen, who is now being trained by A. Cook at Te Awamutu, ran a useful race in sprint company at Takapuna on Wednesday. The Sands of tlie Orient—Eslio May horse may do better round the circuit later on. Princess Ronnie brought about a surprise when she won the St. Andrew’s Handicap at Takapuna. The Polydamon—Waiorewa mare is always a good track worker and she ran up to her best ability on this occasion to return a useful double figure price. The imported mare, Aurumavis, is coming back to form. She was started in the St. Andrew’s Handicap on the second day of the Takapuna meeting. On the second occasion she was capable of beating all but True Blood. The Powhatan —May Match mare is a sturdy galloper with a useful turn of speed when at her best.

Wcnday was given a race with the St. Andrew’s Handicap field at Takapuna. Tlie Te Rapa trained mare was not well handled by her small pilot and she got ipto a lot of bother on liic journey to find tier well back at the post.

There 'was some support for tlie Papatoctoc trained Queen Arch wi‘h tlie principal handicap field on the concluding day of tlie Takapuna meeting. The Marble Arch—Miss Amans representative was prominent f6r about seven furlongs when she droprped out of the picture.

The American three year old Bubbling Over (North Star lll.—Beaming Beauty) lias already finished his racing career. At two and three years lie won £15,710, not being out of a place in thirteen runs. His last start was in this year's Kentucky Derby, which lie won, and then unluckily went amiss. At a fee of £2OO bis list for next year quickly filled when it was announced lie was going to the stud.

Archccn ran good races in sprint company at die Takapuna meeting where die marble Arch —Kawcon gelding was a winner on Saturday and ran third on Wednesday. Archccn always does well on a light preparation. He lias been a good proposition during die time die Te Arolia trainer, George Reid, lias had him and promises to add further to ills stake earning account.

Whilst lie was surprised at Solario’s defeat by Eoxlaw in the Jockey Club Stakes at Newmarket, J. Childs was of die opinion that the bard ground was all against die horse. He said that Solario did not strike out at the Anisli of the contest as lie had done in his previous races, and “I could see,” said Childs, “that lie was feeling it coming out of the Dip. He was not running as freely as 1 liked, so l showed him Hin whip, with llie result dial lie hung out lo die left and, drawing away from die rails, came on lo Foliation. When about half a furlong from home Solario got his head in front, and l then expected him lo win easily, hut lie continued to shorten his stride. Just on die post lie came again in a great Anisli, though 1 thought that Foxlaw might just have beaten me.”

Garslake, who bad die mount on Foxlaw, said lie would have been unlucky lo have lost die race on an objection. “What happened was no fault of my horse, who could not have run his race out belter. In fact,” he said, “Foxlaw rau a line, stout race, and was not tiring.”

Dcligbtmcnt lias been a very consistent performer during the past couple of months, in which lie has won five races for Ills Whangarci owner. The Catmint —Delightful four year old gelding is master of holding track conditions, like the majority of the stock by the English sire. The Pupuke Hack Handicap at the Shore on Wednesday, was an easy victory for Dclighlmcnt, despilc the fact that he had more than his share of the ill-luck goins during the running.

Purple Shade (Royal Canopy— Quccnie) is about the unluckiost handicap horse that has raced in England during the pasl two years, lie has been twice third in the Stewards' Cup at Goodwood, twice second in the Newbury Spring Cup, third in 1 lie Kempton Park Jubilee, second in the Victoria Cup, and last month he was second to Winalot in the valuable Duke of York Handicap (Kempton), after losing anything up to six lengths at the start.

True Blood proved, as the public expected, the best of good things in the Ngataringa Handicap at Takapuna, in which he romped in at the llnish. If True Blood had not had the misfortune to get a bad position in the early stages of the Tukapuna Plate, he would have made Ruffles’ task much harder .when the final pressure was on.

Nippy was turned sidc-on when the tapes went up to despatch the St Andrew’s Handicap field at Takapuna. This effectively silenced any chance the Bardolph gelding may have had, although he made up a good deal of ground before the nine furlongs was covered.

Carbine figures in the pedigree of Lt.-Col. G. Loder’s bay lllly, Cresta Run, winner of the Imperial Produce Stakes, ti furlongs, at Kempton Park (Eng.), on October S. , She is by Hurry On from Bridgemounl, by Bridge of Earn—Mountain Mint, by Spearmint (son of Carbine). The value of the raefi to the winner was £3797, and as Cresta Run’s. 101 b penally sent her weight up to 9.3, she must he out of the ordinary to win easily by three lengths in 1.13. The only other six furlongs race the same afternoon was also for two year olds, and the winner took 1.15 -1-5.

Since Ruffles first appeared in public, which was at the Ohincmuri meeting in March, lie has prominently impressed good judges. The Quin Abbey—Necktie gelding further testified lo his ability during the past week when lie won the Takapuna Plate from a field of good hacks and later registered a victory in open sprint company at the first time of asking. Ruffles is bred the right way for more prominent results still and will win good races if all continues well with him.

Namuterc has not been a reliable 'sort to follow’. The Beragoon—Gold Fly gelding lias a lot of pace if lie cares to do it right. He ran well in both his starts at the Takapuna meeting. The change of stables which lias been Namulcre’s lot during the week may bring improved results, as not invariably happens.

Lc Choucas .was making a bold bid for a long way in the Borough Handicap at Takapuna but bo stopped fairly quickly. It appeared as if the going over portion of ihc lop stretch of the course had something to do with the Magpie gelding’s compounding so quickly before the straight was reached. Le Choucas promises to be more handy before long.

Schorr, who has not materialised when expected at times, endeavoured to win the Pupupc Handicap from end to end on the second day of the Takapuna meeting. Although he wast just able to hold Golden Krist out of second honours, lie bad no chance with Dclightmcnt who won as lie liked. Schorr is nothing out of the ordinary.

Hoariri has been suffering from a bout of soreness, the effects of which have not entirely disappeared, judging by the way in which he moved in his preliminaries at Takapuna. Despite this drawback, Hoariri was among the forward runners for a long way in the Caulley Handicap on the second day. If his affliction can be cast off before the tracks gel too llrm, Hoariri may make some amends l'or recent failures.

fluapapa won the Alison Cup at Takapuna in very decisive fashion. The manner in which the Polydamon chestnut finished behind Princess Bonnie on the second day was very impressive. If Ruapapa had not had the ill-luck to meet with a bad run 111 the early stages of die St. Andrew’s Handicap, lie would undoubtedly have placed both the principal Handicaps of the meting to his credit.

Mosaic was saddled up for only one engagement at the Takapuna meeting. That was in the principal handicap on the seconal day, for which the little Some Boy ll—Marble Star horse was installed third favourite. Mosaic was not well served at the start and was hurried into a handy position early oil in the running hut Hie effort could not he sustained. With an even hop out Mosaic would have done belter than llftli at the post.

The other day I read in a Mel • bourne paper that some of the leading bookmakers were prepared to withdraw their opposition lo the Tote in Victoria on conditions, writes “Pilot." The principal one was that no further attempt should be made to impose a percentage tax on bookmakers’ turnovers. For that concession they wore prepared to allow the machine to work alongside the bookmakers, in the same fashion as in New South Wales. It is difficult for.'me to believe that

tile bookmakers are serious in such a suggestion. While in Melbourne rucenlly, I asked a prominent member or the Bing whether any further attempt to impose the tax was apprehended. Be is not a man who speaks at random, and his reply was “No; and what docs it matter if there is? The result will always he the same in Victoria.” In face of that decided answer 11 is difficult to credit that, for their own safety, tiie books believe it is lime they made some compromise in respect of the Tote. Nor do I think Melbourne racing chilis favour the machine. The erection of buildings and the installation of up-to-date machines would entail an outlay 100 heavy for their liking.

Lorna Doon won her races at Takapuna in hollow fashion. She went away from the harrier like an old hand at the game and had too much pace for ail of her opponents. There is no doubt about her uomg a particularly promising juvenile. By Tea Tray from Lassie Doon (dam of Master Doon) by Monoform from Cardoon, by Cardigan, Lorna Doon lias the blood to stand by her. 11. Eva’s charge had a sligiit cold on Saturday.

King Morv indicated by his running at Takapuna that ho will soon be near his best. Although iho going and the course would not bo to the maximum advantage of a long stricter like King Mcrv, me Quin Abbey sprinter finished third on opening and bettered it wilh a second placing on Monday. The tracks are gelling more lo the liking of King Mcrv who will do better before long.

The owner of Boomerday, Mr W. 11. Wackrow, of Rotorua, sustained a stroke of ill luck when his charge had one of iiis eyes seriously injured while contesting I lie St. Andrew’s Handicap at Takapuna. Although Boomerday was in his eleventh jtar, he was displaying useful form and his future prospects as a hurdler were very bright. The accident occurred through Boomerday being struck by a piece of one or the stakes on which flags were suspended to keep the horses off a stretch of bad going as they rounded the turn into " the straight. RACE programmes. MART ON J. C. SUMMER MEETING. Nominations or all events at the Marton J. C. Summer meeting to be held on the Feilding racecourse on Saturday and Monday, January 1 and 3, 1927, wilt close on Friday, December 10, at 9 p.m. Horscowncrs and trainers are reminded that this meeting follows the Manawatu It. C. meeting, which will he held on December 27, 28 and 30 at Awapuni, and that the Awapuni and Feilding racecourses arc about ten miles distant, so that they will have ho trouble in attending both of these meetings. THE STRATFORD MEETING. NOMINATIONS BY DECEMBER 9. The Stratford Racing Club’s Summer meeting will he held on January 1 and 3. Good slakes are offered by this club and as the programme caters for all classes of horses the utmost requirements can ho met in this respect. . The track at Stratford is a splendid one and a good horse has every chance on the course. The meeting is becoming very popular with owners in this district and it is expected that they will again be prominently represented when nominations arc taken by the secretary (Mr William Power) at Stratford by 9 p.m. on Thursday next (December 9).