RACING.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1139, 8 February 1912, Page 7

RACING.

RACING CALENDAR.

SEASON 1911-12. FIXTURES. 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 J.C. Autumn Feb. 21, 22 and 24—Dunedin J.C. Autumn Feb. 23 and 24r—South Auckland R.C. Annual Feb. 24—Tologa Bay J.C. Annual Feb. 29 and March 2—Wanganui J.C. Autumn March 4 and s—Te Aroha J.C. Annual March 6 and 7—Dannevirke R.C. Autumn March 13 and 14—Napier Park R.C. Autumn. March 16 and IS—Ohinemuri '.C. Annual March 18—Opunake R.C. Annual NOMINATIONS. Feb. 19 —Opunake R.C. Annual Feb. 22—Napier Park R.C. Autumn Feb. 10—Dannevirke 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 DT’E Feb. 9—Woodville J.C. Autumn Feb. 9—South Auckland R.C. Annual Feb. 10—'Wanganui J.C. Autumn Feb. 12—Tolaga Bay J.C. Annual Feb. 16—Te Aroha J.C. Summer Feb. 2?—C.J.C. Easter and Autumn Handicaps Feb. 24 —Ohinemuri J.C. Annual Feb. 17 —Wanganui J.C. Autumn Feb. 17—Dannevirke R.C. Autumn Feb. 26—Te Aroha J.C. Summer March I—Napier Park R.C. Autumn March s—Ohinemuri5 —Ohinemuri J.C. Annual ACCEPTANCES. Feb. 9—Dunedin J.C. Autumn p e b. 9 —Rotorua J.C. Annual Feb. 12—Tologa Bay J.C. Annual Feb. 13—Woodville J.C. Autumn Feb. 16 —South Auckland R.C. Annual Feb. 20 —Dannevirke R.C. Autumn Feb. 23—Wanganui J.C. Autumn Feb. 28—Te Aroha J.C. Summer SECOND FORFEITS. Feb. 23 —Fourth Manawatu Sires’ Produce Feb. 28 —Eighth Manawatu Stakes SUBSCRIPTIONS. Feb. 23—Wanganui J.C. Jackson Stakes April B—C.J.C.8 —C.J.C. Champagne Stakes ana 20th Challenge Stakes FINAL PAYMENTS. Feb. 26—Wanganui Cup

OHINEMJURI JOCKEY CLUB.

An attractive programme has been issued by the Ohinemuri Jockey Club, which is % published in this i,ssue, for the annual meeting to be held on March 16 and 18 on the Paeroa racecourse. Since last year the amount of stakes offered by the club bias been considerably increased, a fact which is sure to make the fixture additionally attractive to owners. The Ohinemuri Cup, of a m’le and a quarter, to be run on the first diay of the meeting, is worth 125 sovs., while the Paeroa Handicap, of one mile, and Waihi Welter, of six furlongs, on the second day, carry prize money to the value of 85 sove. and 50 sovs. respectively, A stake of 50 sovs. has .also been allocated for the St. Patrick’s Handicap, of six furlongs, on the first day. Two hurdle events appear in the programme, each of which will be worth 45 sovs, while <a Maiden Hurdle Handicap carries 3 0 sovs. It is particularly pleasing to see the country clubs prospering, because it is the encouragement they give to our farmers that helps materially to improve the breed of horses in the country, besides iaffording the “backbone of the country” the opportunity of enjoying the pleasures of horse-racing without having to travel long distances to the main centres of population. The stewards of the Ohinemuri club are to be particularly commended for the enterprise they luave shown, and we have little doubt but that the club and district will benefit as a result of the good services rendered by the keen sportsmen who stand behind the

nemnri club, and to the energetic secretary (Mr. H. Poland), on whom the responsibilties of management very largely rest. Nominations for the fort dooming meeting close on Saturday, February 24), and the weights are due to appear on March 5. ■

WHERE RACING PROSPERS.

Poverty Bay is fast coming into her own as one of the important racing centres in the Dominion. The Gisborne district has suffered a good deal in the past from the fact that it has been more or less isolated: the cnly means of getting there being by steamer. However, despite this obvious drawback flip enterprise and zeal of the people of Poverty Bay has made it prosperous, and where prosperity reigns the “Sports of Kings” is sure to flourish. It is, therefore, little wonder that under the capable management of the Gisborne Racing Club and Poverty Bay Turf Club and generous auspices of a keen sporting community racing has become particularly popular in that part of the Dominion. It is only necessary to mention the record success that attended the Gisborne Club’s meeting last week and the glowing prospects for the Poverty Bay Club this week, to persuade the direst pessimist the

srort of horse racing has found a congenial home where it gives every promise of flourishing in the vzealthy sub-province which has Gisborne for its capital. BIG PROGRESS MADE. Five years ago the two principal chibs mentioned above, jointly gave away in stakes £l7OO at their summer meetings, while this month the same two clubs distributed over £2,000 in prize money. This in itself is tangible proof of the progress of the sport in the district, and has had the effect of encouraging owners to improve the class of thoroughbreds, so that to-day Gisborne is able to nominate some fine horses capable' of holding their own on any racecourse in New Zealand. Further evidence of the popularity of racing among the people of Poverty Bay is supplied by the totalisator returns, which affords the best guide as to the way the public support and appreciate the sport. For the two-day’s meeting of the Gisborne Racing Club last week £17,773 passed through the machines as com■pared with £9594 five years ago. A BRIGHT FUTURE. There can be no question that when the hinderland of Poverty Bay is better settled, the district opened up

with good roads, and the long-delay-ed railway connecting Gisborne with our main arterial line is a reality the district will make rapid strides. It is, therefore, fortunate that racing in this part of New Zealand is under the management of keen sportmen who are ready to sacrifice everything for clean sport. It is on the foundations so honestly laid by the existing racing clubs that the future success and prosperity of the sport must ’be built. We do not think it is looking too far ahead to say that not many years will pass before Poverty Bay shall be entitled to rank as a metropolitan racing district. And when that comes to pass we may see the East Coast challenging the supremacy of the West Coast for racing honours.

RACING IN WONDERLAND.

The Rotorua Jockey Club will hold its annual meeting at Arawa Park on Wednesday next. The club has re-

cently carried out a comprehensive scheme of improvements and additions to their course, which has very considerably improved both the track and the appointments. A fine grandstand has erected capable cf providing comfortable accommodation for a large number of people, and other buildings nave been erected which will secure to patrons every facility for enjoying racing in the Hot Lakes district. Next week will probably see a record gathering of Auckland sportsmen on the Arawa Park course, because there are many who will seize this opportunity of visiting the thermal wonderland and attending an attractive race meetingon the same trip. OTAHUHU TROTTING CLUB. On Wednesday next the events listed for the first day of the Otahuhu Trotting Club’s summer meeting will be decided at Alexandra Park. All the races promise to attract large; fields and some first-class trotting should be seen. Since last season the Otahuhu culb have increased the prize money for this fixture consider-

ably, and the programme has been drawn up on broad lines so as to enable the maximum number of horses to be suitably effissed. Owners have responded very liberally with their nominations, and Mr. Edwards’s handicaps are very equitably awarded, so that there is every reason to anticipate that the splendid course at Epsom will be very largely patronised on next Wednesday and Saturday.

TROUBLE AT STARTING POST.

At this juncture we would venture to drop a hint to the stewards of the Otahuhu club which may doubtless assist to still further popularise the sport of trotting in the North. The recent meeting of the Auckland Trotting Club, which was in every way most admirably managed, suffered somewhat from the number of horses that either refused to start to time

or failed to leave the post at all. No club or starter could be held responsible for these mishaps, but in view of the fact that a very large proportion of the public who patronise the trotting clubs invest their money on contestants in the belief that they will get “a run for their money,” we contend that all trotting clubs would be fully entitled to refuse the nomination of any horse that consistently refuses to start or continually breaks during the race. BAD FOR PATRONS. Vanclare is an example of the class of animal that does much to mar sport, and the exhibition it gave -at the A.T.C. carnival was sufficient for any club to decline its nomination until the owner or trainer could satisfy the club officials that his cbjarge had mended its ways. We would also strongly urge trotting clubs to strictly enforce rule 247, which reads: ‘The starter may place any horse which is misbehaving. . . . .in any position he may think proper.” To fine riders and drivers of horses tbjat left the post before time or refused to start would also possibly have the desired effect of obtaining more satisfactory despatches.