WELLINGTON.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XVI, Issue 933, 23 January 1908, Page 8

WELLINGTON.

WELLINGTON, January 21.

A report whinch has been in circulation to the effect that Elevation had met with a serious injury, is happily not entirely correct- His owner informed me that after Elevation had been allowed an easy time of it for a couple of weeks, his trainer gave him a useful gallop and subsequently discovered the colt seemed strangely affected in his hind quarters. His ailment, which was probably the result of a slight chill in his kidneys, however, passed away a couple of days later and the champion is now in his usual health, and all going well, will continue his Australian engagements.

Boniform was also reported as sore after his A.R.C Derby effort. This I have his owner’s authority to say, is incorrect. The colt is just as well as previous to his running at Auck'and, and shou d he continue so will contnue his classic engagements during the balance of the season.

Maniapoto’s owner states that the son of Soult has not broken down, Nit he pulled up so sore after a recent gaTop, that it was considered inadvisable to risk racing him during the summer when the tracks were of an adamantive nature.

The fif y-two bookmakers who obtained licenses to bet on the Trentham Racecourse during the first day of the Wellington Racing Club’s Summer Meeting, included several metalliceans from Australia. Those who were prepared to accommodate backers to any extent are reported to have done well over the first day’s racing, their betting books showing a splendid profit over the Cup and Telegraph Handicaps; while those who had opened double books escaped being struck. No doubt when the public become more accustomed to straight out wagering, the bulk of the business done with the bookmakers will increase. The decreased turnover of the totafisator must not entirely be ascribed to the presence of the bookmakers. The regulations re closing the machine considerably hampered tote backers, and in many races money was shut out owing to the procrastination of those accustomed to bet till the barrier flew up.