WELLINGHTON.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XIV, Issue 824, 21 December 1905, Page 9

WELLINGHTON.

Wellington, ; December 19. Tlie Woodvide meeting will not be forgotten by the local mctallicians for a few weeks- RjOpa, the erstwhile Auck.ander, was the medium of some heavy betting by followers of Mr. Davies’, stable. Several prominent layers laid the odds to between £lOO and £l5O, and as Ropa s dividend whs £9, it is est mated that his victory took ■ quite £3000: from local layers. The connections of the horse will probably only receive about half the above sum, as when the news got abroad that solid support Was being accorded to Mr. Ross’ horse, backers, large and small, followed suit, and there are many good winners quite unconnected w th those associated with Ropa. Owing to some discussion amongst Wellington layers, the limit has been extended to £lO for winners and hail that sum for second horses for credit bettois, and those who wager for cash are paid full d vidend. These liberal conditions enabled some backers to ease the layers of a lot of their capital during the Woodville meeting. Miss Lancelot, winner of the Flying Handicap, paid a dividend of £27, and several backers had fair sums invested on her chance, and drew about £2OO apiece for a very moderate outlay. The system of doing business strictly for cash is increasing here, ajid one prominent layer oqly wagers on that bas s, and it is reported that others contemplate working on similar lines. Despite the inclement weather at Woodville, a number of horses were spiritedly backed away from the course. Loiret, Lull, Medallist, and Ropa on the opening day, and Kuroki, Mobility, Miritta, and St. Albert on the concluding day. Owing to the heavy state of the track on the second day, most of the presumed good things got beaten, and the layers were enabled to get back a portion of their 'first day’s loss. With the appearance of the weights for the Manawatu meeting, double books have been opened on the Manawatu Cup and Awapuni Handicap (six furlongs). Savoury, Black Reynard, Douche, and St. Joe are reported to be favourite select ons for the Cup, and Solution, Ballarat, Ailsa, and Petticoat are most in favour for the six-furlong event. Nightfall would claim attention were it not that she has been taken on to Auckland. Betting on the Auckland Cup and Railway is stagnant. Disquieting reports have reached here regarding Mahutonga and Quarryman, and this, together with the fact that much larger books have been opened on the Manawatu events, has drawn nearly all the attention of backers away from the Auckland Cup and Railway double. One prominent layer states that he has had only a couple of inquiries for Auckland doubles dur’ng the last three days. WIHI fine weather there should be a record attendance at Manawatu on Boxing Day. The class of horses engaged are up to the best metropolitan club standard, and the excursion trains will be taxed to the utmost if all those proceed to the meeting that have intimated their intention of assisting. Hotel accommodation in Palmerston North is alreadv at a premium, and the inland town should be like a bee hive on the evening of Boxing Day. The nominations received by tne Welbngtotn Racing Club for their summer meeting total 421, being 90 in excess of those received for the club’s last summer meet ng, and a record for the colony. Arrangements for extra stabling at Trentham is being made, and by the time visitors arrive comfortable quarters will be available for all trainers and their

charges. The course and fra.ning-tracks are, owing to the recent fine weather, in capital order. . The acceptances for the Manawatu Cup are satisfactory. Lyrist and Savoury are the favourite selection in doubles coupled with various candidates for the Awapuni Handicap.