TARANAKI.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume III, Issue 113, 22 September 1892, Page 6

TARANAKI.

September 16. The thoroughbred stallion Fantastic (Apremont — Fantasy) will stand the season in the south portion of this district. I think it was the intention of Mr. M. Cunningham to race Fantastic this season, but the idea was abandoned, as it was considered that the horse might not stand a winding up on account of one of his pins being liable to a strain. Fantastic is fashionably bred, only four years old, and sound, so thal he should have a good season. The jockey C. Crocker has gone into Mr. Jas. Hooker’s employ, and is training Tattler (Python—La Vendetta) for hack t racing this season. I also opine that •J Tattler will be run in hurdles. The New Zealand Cup candidate, Fratemite, is reported to be going well at Momahaki under Billy Butler’s care, and during the last two weeks he has sprung into great favour for the one thousand pound event. It is reckoned that he will strip very fit for the race if he trains on as well as he is doing at present. I understand that the Waitara Club’s programme has been referred back by the Metropolitan Club, to enable it to be amended in accordance with the totalisator motion passed by the recent Metropolitan Conference. The Waitara Club have applied to alter the date of their

meeting from December Bth to December 15th. The 20-mile radius condition in the totalisator motion just referred to will not work fairly in this district, as only two small clubs will be affected, while six will escape. Why the Conference did not make the motion apply all over a Metropolitan district exceeds my comprehension. I believe, however, that the committee of the Metropolitan here will consider the advisability of making the motion apply to all clubs under their jurisdiction, irrespective of the 20-mile radius. If they do it will only be equitable. On Saturday last Fantastic was submitted at auction, and passed in at £5O. I understand that the reserve was only £lOO, so that there was a bargain open to a speculator. The hack lonic (Dauphin—lna), who performed so well on this coast last season, is advertised for stud purposes. There is a man on this coast who has the reputation of knocking his horses about when they don’t run first. If such is the case it is a pity that someone does not give him a taste of his own gruel when he is caught at it. [by wire. J September 20. The Taranaki Jockey Club’s committee have appointed Mr. J. O. Evett handicapper. and Mr. R G. Pardy assistant handicapper, and Mr. S. Powell starter. The committee have decided to apply altered Rule 22 to the whole of the Metropolitan district, and not confine its application to the 20 mile radius. This is the only way that the rule could he worded with fairness in this district. The club’s programme for Boxing Day will not exceed and for the Anniversary Meeting will not exceed