RACING.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 446, 9 March 1912, Page 3

RACING.

When it was decided to reduce the number of racing days in the Dominion it was popularly thought that it would also reduce speculation, but, judging from several meetings recently the desired effect has not been obtained. At most of the gatherings held of late the totalisator turnover has increased considerably, and at the recent Wanganui meeting there was an increase of over £15,000, or about fifty per cent, on last year. This is fairly strong proof that, instead of the reduction having stopped speculation it has only had the effect of making those who want to enjoy racing, travel further to get their sport, and, whereas a man was formerly content with the racing in his own province, he now travels to any gathering within anything like reasonable distance. The winner of the Newmarket Handicap (Desire) was bred in Tasmania, and is stated to be the best colt bred in the island State for years. Last month he won the Hobart Cup of one mile and a half, for which he incurred a penalty of 71b for the Newmarket Handicap, That Desire's victory was no fluke was evidenced by the performance of the colt on the second day of the meeting, when he won the Bourke Handicap in the fast time of 1.72 for seven furlongs. The Te Aroha Racing Club was unfortunate in the matter of weather for its annual meeting. The first day fixed for the gathering proved so boisterous that a postponement till the following day was deemed advisable. On Tuesday the weather was fair and the events were run off. The Australian Cup this year produced a very stirring contest and resulted in a dead heat between .Prizefighter and Saxonite. It is seldom such a a close struggle is witnessed in a race extending over a journey, particularly when the distance is up to two mile and a-quarter. The time (3.57f) was good, though not a record, and there was evidently no loitering in the race.