TURF TALK FROM THE SOUTH.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 292, 7 December 1907, Page 7

TURF TALK FROM THE SOUTH.

ii2-y 1«?-legrapji, Coirespondent.) CHEISTCHnECH, Friday. Although, the fields were small, tnere was some interesting sport witnessed at the Hororata Jockey Cub's meeting yesterday. Quite- a score of bookmakers made application for licenses, but only sixteen -were licensed. Tie remainder were escorted to tne gate, and given a hint that their presence was not desired at the meeting. Tils Question of discriminating in issuing licenses is ratner a Snotty one, lor police cannot be expected to know the character of all the applicants, and it may often bappen that an injustice may oe doiie. None of the large metallicians put in an appearance, and it seems as if they intend leaving the minor meetings entirely to small fry. Despite the opposition, the totalisator did remarkably good business, while the bookmakers, in excess of competition, laid such tempting odds as to leave them all losers at the end of the day. All Guns, a shapely three-year-old, son of Pallas and Greek Maid, accounted for both the Bangor Plate and Haldon Stakes. He is still susceptible to improvement, and will win a good race for his owner and trainer, T. Shefnan, before the season is cut. The Hororata Cup only attracted a quartet—Hilarity 8.3, Vardo 8.13, Monkey Puzzle 8.9, and Somaroff 8.6. L. King, who had the mount of Varao, again managed to beat the starter, and Finland's daughter won from end to end, thanks mainly to the flying start she secured. Mythical, wao was recently sola to C. Higgins, signalised her change of ownership by putting down a large field in the Fiying Handicap, but she was somewhat fortunate, as, had Kaikomako received the least assistance from his rider, the tables would have been turned. A greaOy improved three-yeax-oldi, in Konaldshay, by Marquis of Zealand, from Clymene, annexed the Welter Handicap and, lite All Gone, he will show to yeti further advantage ia tie nux future. ']

The New Zealand horseman, L. H. Hewitt, has been retained by Mr W. Hall Walter to do Ills heavy -weight riding, at a. salary of one thousand pounds per.yeat. This sbooid afford Hewitt an excellent opportunity of proving his worth, lor Mr Hall-Walker's stable is one of the strongest in England. J. JlcClnsky, who sustained serious injuries when Bed Gauntlet fell with" him at the C.J.G. meeting, - is - nearly all right again. He had a couple of mounts at the . Bororata meeting, but failed to catch . tUe judge's eye. Several good sized commissions were executed here on the Woodville meeting, and it is very apparent' that, despite the bookmakers' avowals of observing the new Gaining Act, totalisator price betting is still carried on extensively. J. McCombe, who was badly hurt at the Feilding J.C. Meeting, is making steady progress, but it will be a long time before he dons the silk again. " Boniform, who met with an accident at the Australian Jockey Clrib's Spring Meeting, is in work again at Taldhurst, and will, probably be racing again at the autumn meetings.