Sporting Review . . AND . . LICENSED VICTUALLERS’ GAZETTE. WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE WEEKLY STANDARD. Thursday, August 13, 1896. TURF GOSSIP. AUCKLAND RACING CLUB.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume VII, Issue 316, 13 August 1896, Page 4

Sporting Review . . AND . . LICENSED VICTUALLERS’ GAZETTE. WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE WEEKLY STANDARD. Thursday, August 13, 1896. TURF GOSSIP. AUCKLAND RACING CLUB.

The sub-committee appointed by the above club to draft proposals for the distribution of stakes over the meetings to be held during the ensuing racing season set down £2,400 as a reasonable increase, but on being referred to the committee the latter thought this too large an order,, and asked the sub-committee to reduce the amount by fully £IOOO, We approve of the reduction on principle, because next season may not be so favourable, financially, and it is just as well to have a nest egg. For a big institution like the Auckland Racing Club it is desirable that they should have a reserve fund, in case they should have a bad season or two,thesameas business people and our agricultural friends have at times. There appeared to be a diversity of opinion as to whether it will be advantageous to increase the stake for the Auckland Cup,, in the hope that the club may receive entries commensurate to the importance of the race. We have already stated a case against this ; first, because there is a large number of meetings being held all over the colony at that time of the

year, and owners of fair handicap horses, who might otherwise nominate, prefer to race nearer home, where they have a chance of picking up a few crumbs amongst horses they have more knowledge of. Secondly, Christchurch owners or trainers, who have no meeting at Riccarton, seem to prefer the mile and a half distance of the Palmerston North Cup, and have the shorter distance to bring their horses, but it is doubtful if the expense would be less once they are on board the boat and brought direct to Auckland. Perhaps after a horse has been going all the winter, does a big preparation for the New Zealand Cup, and then runs in the race, his trainer may consider that to keep him going for another month for the purpose of competing in our Cup may jeopardise his chance for the rest of the season. There will be no alteration in the distance of the Auckland Cup, which remains at two miles. As the programme for the season is not published yet, we cannot give particulars of the races that are increased in stake value. However, we are pleased that the value of the Cup race has not been raised with the delusive hope of attracting more entries