Sporting.

Alexandra Herald and Central Otago Gazette, Issue 346, 25 December 1902, Page 5

Sporting.

AJ.O.'S. ANNUAL BAOB-MBBTIBG. Ptscident: Mr J. D. Bnehaaaa. Vice. presidents: Hours Geo. Simpson and W. S. Laidlaw. Jadge: Mr Jsha Butler. Starter: Mr J. Harley. Handieepper: Mr J. Paget. Clerk of the Coarse: Mr J. Niaper. Clerk of the Tetalisater: Mr J. Smith. Clerk of the Scales: Mr 0 J M'lntosh. Timekeeper: Mr D Briagans. Eon. Bargeons: Drs Gregg and Hjde. Treasurer: Mr W S Laidlaw. Auditor : Mr B Bymes. Stewards: Messrs Buchanan, Simpson, Laidlaw, Batler, J Paget, J Geddee, 8 Cameron, J Nieper, D Bringaas, G Hesson.Tr Bvok, T. Gay, D. Callagfaan G laohe, W 0 Pitches, F Jeffery, G, Speneer, 0 J M'lntosh, B J Hill, H B SteTent. B Marslin, G Hastings, J Barley, H Pocock, B Brans, J Smith, D H'Looguin. J Millar, J Young, F Gorman, A Beid, P. Spillaae, B Barter, S 3 Lake, 8 Spain, J MArthnr (jon,), aad Or Hyde,

The annual races of the Alexandra Jockey Club were held last Friday, on the old Donstan course, and, excepting that the weather might have been better, the meeting was in every respect one of the most successful yet held under the auspices of the Club. The morning of raee-day broke threateningly, and for some time it appeared as if we were to be subjected to a repetition of the boisterous weather that prevailed for some days previously. However, as the day wore on the indications improved, and the weather turned out passably fine. A rather cold southerly breeae sprang up, and detracted somewhat from the enjoyment of the spectators, whilst the dust fiend played havoc with the clothes, and also the tempers, of the crowd. There was a large attendance of the public, though, no doubt, the uninviting appearance of the weather in the morning had the effect of diminishing the number of visitors who usually some from distant parts of the district. Although the committee had taken a good deal of trouble to improve the condition of the course, it was found that the track was rather heavy, and we heard some complaints from owners whose horses did not take kindly to the heavy going. The racing on the whole was excellent! and several close and exciting finishes were witnessed during the day, A feature of the meeting was the splendid performances in the Twomile Trot by Jim Jim, Georgie M, and Onehunga, each of whom was heavily backed to win; and it was noticeable that of £354 invested on the machine in this race, £3ll was divided between the horses mentioned, only £43 being distributed among the six other starters. After a most exciting race, Jim Jim (who displayed great form and superior staying power to Georgie M) won with plenty to spare in smin 22sec, though for the first mile or so it appeared as if Mr'KieperVmare would win easily. We do not suppose that ever before, at an up-country meeting, have three such maiden 'stars' faced the music together in one event. Mr J. Harley was very successful in bis starts during the day, and, excepting in the 1 |-mile Trot, no complaint was made in this respect. In this race, it was alleged that some of the limit horses got away before their time, but there being no evidence to support the statement, the protest lodged by Mr Cottier was dismissed. Even supposing the allegation to be true, it seemed to be the general opinion that the result of the race was not thereby affected. Mr J. Butler, as judge, gave entire satisfaction, though he had one or two very fine points to deride. The other office-bearers (notably the club's energetic and courteous secretary, MrL. Ryan) carried out their duties in a capable and satisfactory manner.

Owing to various causes, some unavoidable delay took place, and the last race did not start until consider* ably after the advertised hour, by which time a great number of the visitors had left for home. - Although there was only a small investment on the last race, the total amount put through the totaliaator during the day was £1240 as against £I2BB last year. There were, as per usual, a multiplicity of cash fielders, and spielers of various brands,.on the course, and these gentry seemed to do a good deal of business, succeeding no doubt in deflecting a good deal of cash from the machine. Mr Murrell, of Cromwell, had charge of the totaliaator, which was managed to the satisfaction of all concerned. The sum of £29 16s was taken at the gates. Mr W. Noble, jun., had the publican's booth, and he and his staff were kept very busy all day, whilst Mr B. Dawson at the fruit stall also appeared to do a big trade Mrs Parker provided a first-class lunch at the refreshment booth. The Alexandra Brass Band were in attendance, and their inspiriting music considerably enlivened the proceedings. Following are detailed results : Maxdkx Fuitk,. of 25sovs; second horse 9sovs from stakes. One mile. It-Mr T C Donnelly's Btepsnfeldt, 8.13 (M'Blroy) I 17—Mr O Donnelly's Metford, 8.18 (J Gray) 2 . 31—Mr Monoghan's Sstolla, 8.11 (Lark.ni) 3 13—Hr J Fljnn's Bawls F, 8.11 (Qrombie) 0 2Mr J Beattie's Montrose, 7.13; (Bember) 0 2-Mr J Shaw's Blcksbaw, 8,11 (JBlee) 0 80 t } - J | From a good start, Estella cut out the running, with Metford in close attendance. Half-a-uile from home, Stepenfeldt started to go up/and after a fine race up the straight, M'Elroy landed his mount a winner by about a length, Estella being about two lengths behind Metford. Time, lmin SOeec; dividend, <£6 IQs,

Albxaxbb* Habbica?, of SOsors; second horse lOsova from stakes. One and a-quarter miles. 53-Mr T Rotor's Bight Honorable, 7.10 (J Gray) 1 69-Mr Hording'* Wild Wert. 9 5 (BM'Cerabe) 8 11-Hr J R Smith's Galileo, 7.7 (E Hendry) I 7—Mr W Thorlow'e Pfaryne, 5.7 (Banber) 0 11—Mr U'Deoald's Visionary, 8.12 (J Henry) 0 180 Visionary and Galileo each declared 21b overweight At the fall of the flag, Wild West jumped away to the front, and at out the running at a great pace. Right Honorable kept in close attendance, but the rest of the field could not get up. Coming round the home turn, Mr Foster's candidate overhauled Wild West, and eventually won rather easily, Galileo a bad third, Time, 2min 2Qsec; dividend, £$ 2s. CXKTXAL OTACO TSOT, of fIOgOVS J second horse lOsovs from stakes. Two miles. 90—Mr H 0 Motmtney'a Jim Jim, SOaee (Owner) 1 98—Mr J Nieper's Georgia M, 26sec (Sheppard) 2 123—Mr Henrickfe Onehunga, lttec (APrißgie) S Also ■tatted: 7—Harvester Baeo, S Aggie lOsec, 7— Messenger Usee, B—Ned I6s*c, aad 7—Toting Liberty 2Stee. Flossie 23eee wat scratched. Geergie M maintained premier position till rounding the turn for home, and at one time it appeared a* if she would win easily. Abeut half a mile from home, however, she appeared to tire, and Jim Jim, who was trotting splendidly, speedily reduced the distance separating him from the leader, passing her at the lower end of the straight, and eventually winning with plenty to spare. Onehunga was an indifferent third, and the rest of the field were never in the hunt. Time, smin 22see. Dividends: On Jim Jim, £2 13s; on Georgie M, 16s. Total on the machine, .£354. Fibst Hack Hajcdica?, of 25sovb; second horse ssovs from the stakes. Six furlongs. 84—MrG Donnelly's Metford, 7.8 (M'llroy) 1 52—Mr J Young's Gunshot, 8.5 (J Gray) 3 59—Mr R M'Doaald's Qaeen of Tramps B.4(WH ( Kay) * 11—Mr Monoghan's Istella, 811 (P Qainlan) 0 158 Metford declared 81b and Istella 41b overweight. Gunshot was in premier position for the first portion of the journey, but Metford gradually came up, and after a splendid race home, was landed a winner by about two lengths, Gunshot beating Queen of Trumps for second place by a nose. Time, lmin 21sec; dividend, £6 l7s. Furixo Hahoicap, of 35sovs; second horse 7sovs from the stakes, Six furlongs. * 23—Mr T 0 Donnelly's Stepenfeldt 7.6 (M'Blroy) 1 40—Mr Paul's Silver Rupee, 8.2 (Larkins) 2 32—Mr Thurlow's Pbyrae, 8.12 (Bamber) 3 ;36-Mr Harding'* WM West, M 'V--k, K r "- ...-'*. (M'Oombe) 0 56—Mr Foster's 7 Sight Honorable. 8.7 (including 71b penalty), (J Gray) 0 4—Mr Hanger's Lapidary, 8.12 (Quintan) 0 ■l9l Stepenfeldt declared Ist overweight and Lapidary 41b over. A good start was effected, and Right Honorable went to the front, followed by Silver Rupee and Fhryne. Coming round the turn, Stepenfeldt gradually crept up to the leaders, and a dingdong race ensued up the straight. Stepenfeldt eventually won by a length, abbufrhalf-a-longth separating second and third. Time, lmin 20 2 Ssec; dividend, £7 9s. Sbcond Hack Handicap, of 15sovs;

second horse 2£sovs from the stakes. Four furlongs.. 78—Mrs C White's Xing of Tmmp»J°7 (0 White) 1 ll—Mr J Naylor'e Kismet, 1,1 (WH'Kiy) 2 24-Mr Harding's Gold Ring, 8.13 3—Mr A Inder'e Morgan. 1.1 (J Blee) 0 U—Messrs Mssoa sad Devidsen's Medicus, 8.0 < J Gray) 0 32 Mr Letooft The Halster. 10,10 (GMLeaa) 0 162 King of Trumps declared 91b overweight. Metford was. scratched. Considerable delay took place in getting the heries away, owing chiefly to the perversity of some of the, riders, and when astart waeeventually effected The Malster (whose rider was evidently not over-anxious to get away well) was left at the pest. King of Trumps took charge of the field, and won with a little to spare. Morgan's chance was spoiled, owing to his being bored out at the turn by. Gold Ring, in a way that was somewhat suspicious. Time 52sec; dividend, XI 17s.

JookktClub Taot oMSsova; second horse 7sovs. from the stakes. One mile and a-half. 26—Mr D Briagans' Sandy, 34sac (A Prioglsju. 1 I—Mr D Binnamon's Brasil, 35eec ' i (Owner}*.. 2 17—Mr Uetter'a Aggie,26«ec (Owner) t.,', 3 Also started: 5 Teddy 6sec, 6 <Oowboy Usee, 6 Patience 18see, 5 Ned 34sec, 4 Malva 34sec, 16 gleitaß 35sec, 15 Plodder 35sec, 5 Good Hope 35sec, and 6 Young Liberty 37sec, Sandy maintained premier position throughout and won easily.. Bound* ing the turn for home, Brazil came very fast, but could not get near Sandy. Time, 4mia 20sec. Dividends: £2 18s on Sandy,;and £25 4s on Brazil. Total on machine, XII2. j The owner of Aggie entered a pro* test, alleging that some of the limit horses had been let away before their time. There was, however, no 'evidence to support the statement, and the starter declared the start a fair one. The protest was I Fabswele. Handicap of SGseys • second horse ssovs from the stokes. S-v© furlongs. 2—Mr R M'Donald'a Queen of Trumps j 7.12 (M'Key)-.. 1 B—Mr W Paul's Silver Rupee, 8.7 . . (Larkins)*. 2 Phryne (8.12) was scratched.; A good race; won on the pest by a head

SPORTING NOTS& [B» « In WA»»»aaß. ,, 3 Visionary, who strained a tendon at the Queenstowa races, completely broke down in the Alexandra Handicap on Friday, and will not race again this season. Stepenfeldt went lame after the Alexandra meeting, and it is doubtful if he will be fit to take part at the Oromwell meeting. Right Honourable ran a great horse on Friday, and the plucky way an which he stuck to the speedy mare Wild West, and finally beat her in the run home was a treat to witness. The Right Hon. gentleman may be expected to make things lively for the other candidates at the forthcoming goldfields meetings. Galileo's exhibition in the Handicap was disappointing, the pace made by Wild West being apparently too hot for the son of Nelson. Stepenfeldt was the hero of the meeting, and no one begrudges Mr Tom Donnelly his double win with the black son of Stepniak. The Donnelly stable also scored a win in the First Hack Handicap with Metford, who showed great form. Out of three mounts, 3. M'Siroy scored three wins at the Alexandra meeting. I hear that A. Fringle has the mount on Lauderhill in the big Tret atMatakanul

Tips foTjGromweli races:—Big Trots "ivts or Flossie; Flying Wild West. Publican's Handicap —The Malster. Cromwell Handicap—Silver Rupee,

OROMWILI. 3. 0. KAGSS. The following handicaps havefeetß declared for the abort mooting ©a Friday :-» Flying Handicap.— WM Wost, S 5; Visionary, 8 8; Phryne, 8$; Silver? maid, 7 2. Publican's Handicap.—Malster »3; Phryne,B 10; Stepenfeldt, 87; Silver Rupoe, 8 4; Queen of Trumps, f 11. THB TOTALISATOR. largely-signed petitions having boon presented to Parliament loot session praying for the abolition of the totalisator, steps are now being taken by the racing clubs throughput the colony to present to she House next session a petition in favor of retaining the machine. The petitioners ask tho House not to adopt the proposal to abolish the totalisator, upon theie among other grounds:—That those petitioning for the abolition of the totalisator are invariably persons who never attend races, and therefore have no practical knowledge of the matter, and are not directly interested; that the proposal to abolish the totalisator is another phase of prohibition, and on invasion of the civil rights of the community; that if the totalisator were abolished other forms of betting, which it would be impossible to control or regulate, would spring up; that the enormous growth of public and private wealth in New Zealand since the totalisator was introduced e'early proves it has not had tho pauperising effects it opponents allege; that tho totalisator tends to restrict betting, as it is a cash system, open only on the course, and the risk of loss or gain is proportionately reduced; that the State derives a direct and entirely voluntary revenue of £20,000 per year from the totalisator, whilst the railway and other revenues are enormously increased from tho direct aud indirect results of race meetings; that tho breeding, racing, and trotting studs sin New Zealand are Urge consumers of oats and other farm products, thus providing tho best possible cash market for farmers; that there has been an entire absence of malpractice in the working of the totalisator, and the public accept it as an honest means of speculation. The petition is being largely signed in this district.