RACING.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1138, 1 February 1912, Page 7

RACING.

RACING CALENDAR.

SEASON 1911-12 FIXTURES. Feb. 1 and 2—Gisborne R.C. Summer Feb. 1 and 3—Canterbury J.C. Summer Feb. 7 and B—Egmont R.C. Summer Feb. B—Te Kuiti R.C. Annual. Feb. 8 and 9—Poverty Bay T.C. Annual Feb. 14—Rotorua J.C. Annual Feb. 14 and 15—Taranaki J.C. Autumn Feb. 21 and 22—Woodville JiC. Autumn Feb. 21, 22 and 24—Dunedin J.C. Autumn Feb. 23 and 24—South Auckland R.C. Annual Feb. 24—Tologa Bay J.C. Annual Feb. 29 and March 2—Wanganui J.C. Autumn March 6 and 7 —Dannevirke R.C. Autumn March 13 and 14—Napier Park R.C. Autumn. March 18—Opunake R.C. Annual NOMINATIONS Feb. 2—Woodville J. C. Autumn Feb. 19—Opunake R.C. Annual Fe b 22—Napier Park R.C. Autumn Jan. 26—Dunedin J.C. Autumn Jan. 29—Tologa Bay J.C. Annual Feb. 2—South Auckland R.C. Annual Feb. 12—Tologa Bay J.C. Annual Feb. 16—Napier Park R.C. Autumn WEIGHTS ARE PIT. Feb. 2—Poverty Bay T.C. Annual Feb. 2—Rotorua J.C. Annual F eb. s—Dunedin J.C. Autumn Feb 7—Tologa Bay J.C. Annual Feb. 9—Woodville J.C. Autumn Feb 9—South Auckland R.C. Annual Feb. 10—Wanganui J.C. Autumn ACCEPTANCES. Feb 2—Egmont R.C. Summer Feb 3—Poverty Bay T.C. Annual Fe - s—Taranaki J.C. Autumn Feb. 9—Dunedin J.C. Autumn Feb. 9—Rotorua J.C. Annual Feb. 12—Tologa Bay J.C. Annual Feb. 13 —Woodville J.C. Autumn FeR 16—South Auckland R.C. Annual Feb. 17 —Dannevirke R.C. Autumn Feb. 20 —Dannevirke R.C. Autumn Feb. 23 —Wanganui J.C. Autumn FIRST FORFEITS. March 22—C.J.C. 20th Challenge Stakes and Champagne Stakes SECOND FORFEITS. Feb. 23—Fourth Manawatu Sires’ Produce St ctkes j an 24—Wanganui J.C. Jackson Stakes Feb. 28—Eighth Manawatu Stakes SUBSCRIPTIONS. Feb. 23 —Wanganui J.C. Jackson Stakes April B—C.J.C.8 —C.J.C. Champagne Stakes and 20th Challenge Stakes FINAL PAYMENTS. Feb. 26—Wanganui Cup

THE EVOLUTION OF BOOKMAKING.

Though many do not recognise tne fact, no branch of the great business of racing has been so completely revolutionised during the last forty years as book making, in the eariy days the Australian bookmaker did all his betting himself. His stock-in-trade comprised a small pocket-book, the leaves of which were a specially-pre-pared paper, and a metallic pencil. There was no chance of “faking” a wager once it was put down in those books. Busy men were Messrs Bill Branch, Saqui, E. E. Jones, J. Miller, P. Blennister, Tom Hopkins, the brothers Thompson, Tom Croker, Lou Green, D. MMelhardo, and others. The introduction of cash betting, with its book and bag, brought with it the betting clerk, and quite altered the betting business on the racecourse. In the early days there were partners in bookmaking—the most notable combination, perhaps, being Messrs Miller, Jones, and O’Brien, from the fact that they laid the biggest wager that has been recorded in Australia, £50,000 to £5 00 the double. V.R.C. Derby and Melbourne Cup, Navigator and Gudarz. At the present day (says “Martindale”), both in Sydney and Melbourne, there are several bookmaking firms, and the matter of partners’ liability has been discussed by the committee of Tattersall’s Club. That body has ruled that partners are liable for each other’s betting debts, whether contracted by laying against, or backing horses. This ruling is a very important one to those concerned, and it makes each responsible for even private business.

Labour Day is reported to be going along well at Waverley, and will be given a run at Hawera next week.

THE TAKAPUNA MEETING. It was the Takapuna Jockey Club that fared 'worse of the Auckland clubs when the Racing Commission started pruning down the number of racing days and totalisatcn permits. For many years the North Shore club held seven racing days in each season, but as a result of the Commissioners’ recommendations the club were only allowed four days during the 1911-1912 season. This was particularly unfortunate not only for the club, but also for the general public, who have long regarded the Takapuna meet’ng as the cheapest, and most convenient racing gathering about Auckland. 11l luck, however, seemed to follow the club for some time after the Racing Commission had issued their, report, because their first meeting was seriously interfered with on account of wet and boisterous weather, which necessitated postponing one afternoon’s sport, in addition to causing several more or less serious accidents. THE TURN OF THE TIDE It is particularly pleasing now to record the fact that their summer

fixture, concluded on Anniversary Dav, was in every way a big success. The climate conditions were ideal, the sport was particularly interesting, and the attendances on both days eclipsed all previous numbers, while the club will make a substantial profit out of their totalisator commission. Although it has been long delayed the tide has apparently turned and the T.J.C. i s heading for a more prosperous future. The club has now closed down for the present season, and will hold no more races until next spring on the North Shore course. IMPROVEMENTS WANTED. Between this and November next, the club will probably make strenuous efforts to secure from the Auckland Harbour Board a lease of a portion of the land lying to the North of the racecourse, so as to lengthen their track to a mile, and enlarge their enclosures. There can be no doubt that such improvements are necessary if not actually imperative if the club s to continue. When it is considered that there is no more popular course in the Dominion outside the Metropolitan ones, where the general nublic can secure so inexpensive and pleasant an outing to enjoy the exhil'erating pleasures of

watching New Zealand’s national pastime, it certainly behoves the Auckland Harbour Board to facilitate the endeavours of the Takapuna Jockey Club to better provide for the enjoyment of Aucklanders, besides securing to the fast growing borough of Jevonport another open space. DEPARTING THOROUGHBREDS. The dispersal sale last week of the famous Elderslie stud marks yet another regrettable knock the “Sport of Kings” has sustained in New Zealand. Since the sale of the late Mr. G. G. Stead’s horses nearly five years ago, no more important sale of thoroughbreds has been held in the Dominion, It was hoped that when the Oamaru sportsman, Mr. J. B. Reid, decided to dispose of his Elderslie Estate and all his thoroughbreds buyers would be found within New Zealand willing to secure the principal stallions and brood mares. As it hap--pened, however, Australian sportsmen secured the pick of the bloodstock and the Dominion will be the poorer for the absence of such successful

stallions as Charlemagne 11., Downshire, Varco and Vasco, and the sterling brood mares Ingoda, Marcobelle. Pretroina, and .Armigera. The departure of these animals will still further deplete New Zealand of firstclass stock, and there can be no question if our remaining studmasters continue to dispose of their stock as has been clone of recent years the outlook is very serious. ENCOURAGE STUDMASTERS. The North suffered a severe loss when Mr. E. A. Price disposed of his Cambria Park stud last January, and since then several other studmasters have allowed some of their finest stock to be sold under the hammer and many of the best lots have unfortunately left the country. It is to be earnestly hoped that, in the interests of racing, to say nothing of the general improvement of our equine stock, that steps will be taken shortly that will help to stem the tide which has set In and is carrying away o-r best thoroughbreds. If the Government could be induced to offer substantial subsidies to studmasters and the racing clubs increased their contributions for the encouragement of the breeding of horses, it is possible that new stud farms would be established and prosper.

NEW ZEALAND’S LOSS. Referring to the sale of the Elderslie bloodstock a Southern correspondent. says: ‘ ‘Much curiosity had been expressed as to what tne successful imported stallion Charlemagne II- (St. S : mon —Perfect Dream) would real Ac. Although such a short time at tne scud, he has already proved his worth as the sire of Culprit, Ermejgarde, Canute, and others. It was hoped that he would not leave New Zealand, bat some of the Australian studmasters were very keen on his possession, and he ultimately fell to the bid oi the Messrs. Thompson Bros., of New South Wales, for 2300 guineas. AUSTRALIA’S GAIN. The other stallions also were purchased by Australian breeders. Downshire (imp.), by Ayrshire—Seadown, went to Mr. W. Thompson, of Rylstone, for 600 guineas. The same buyer also secured Varco (imp.), by Marco —Vara, foi’ 600 guineas. Vasco (imp.), by Velasquez—Seabreeze, was secured by Mr- Henry Patterson, of Victoria, for 850 guineas. The highest priced brood mares were sold as follows: —Ingoda (win-

ner of N.Z. St. Leger), Mr. Sol Green, N.S.W., 800 guineas; Armigera (dam of Ingoda), Mr. Clark, 800 guineas; Marcobelle, imp. (Marco —Le Belle), Mr. Sol Green, 875 guineas. The others ranged from 400 guineas to 35 guineas. SOME CHEAP LOTS. The fillies and mares not served sold at from 550 guineas down to 70 guineas. The highest priced one was Pretrovna, for whom Mr. Sol Green, owner of the Shipley stud, gave. 550 guineas. The foals sold from .350 guineas to 25 guineas, Mr. G. D. Greenwood purchasing at the higher figure. In all four stallions, 64 mares, seven fillies not stinted, and 23 foals were disposed of, the sale being a very, successful one.

Mr E. J. Watt took a strong band in eth sale of the Waikanae yearlings last ■week as three of the high-priced lots fell to his bids. His purchases consisted of a half brother by Achilles to Meriwa and .- Lady Reina, a colt by Achilles out of Stepina, the latter mare being a daughter of Stepniak and Glorvina and a colt by Achilles from Marseillaise. This latter mare is a full sister to Lord Soult.