Bowling Notes.

Free Lance, Volume IV, Issue 184, 9 January 1904, Page 19

Bowling Notes.

By St. Simon.

COLONIAL sportsmen held high carnival during the Christmas and New Year holidays. The principal attraction was, of course, the Auckland Racing Club's meeting, and the most important event was the Auckland Cup. Wairiki once more demonstrated what a champion four-year-old he is by downing the speedy three-year-old, Treadmill, in the Cup, with the steadier of 9st 81b on his back. He cut out the two miles in the smart time of 3min 29 4-sthsec. and had Sir George Clifford's colt been capable of making a race of it at the finish another second might have been v, iped off the time recorded. In prognosticating the event a few days prior to the deciding day, I placed them Treadmill, Wairiki, Melodeon • therefore- my judgment was only upset by the reversing of first and second places. Too high praise cannot be conferred upon, the Bill of Portland colt, Treadmill. He practically made his own running, and to have to strike his colours to such a good 'un as Wairiki was defeat without dishonour. Those who go backing doubles at lengthy prices a month or two prior to a meeting have now time for reflection, and the decision arrived at will bably mean strict abstinence from backing — till the next time. The Christchurch mare, Gladsome, went out a pronounced favourite for the Railway Handicap, but she sold her backers baldly by running prominently in the rear throughout the race. Her subsequent running went to prove that she had been trained for distance rather than sprinting, for we find her winning over a mile and a-half course at the meeting, the Summer Cup. the Great Northern Derby, and the Auckland Plate being credited to Mr. Reids mare. Mr. Lovett's perseverance met with just reward when Hohoro, the speedy son of Tasman, accounted for the Railway Handicap, after filling second place for the two previous years. The Yaldhurst stable had at its mercy most of the races in which it was represented. It would be ancient history to refer to the various events of the Manawatu Racing Club's meeting, at Palmerston, but I cannot refrain from making reference to the up-to-date course — one of the best-equipped in the colony, and one which the growing popularity and patronage of the club amply warrants. Ringman had an easy win in the Cup, and Cannie Chiel an easier one in the mile and arquarter on the second day. The running of the latter was questioned, and not without reason for in no stage of the Cup race was he prominent, whilst the race he won was practically a oake walk. Sir George Clifford is a true sportsman, and no reflection can be cast on him, as he was not present at the meeting, and oonse^ quently had no control of the horse. Another racecourse that bears signs of progress is that of the Ashurst Club. Many improvements have been effected since last year's meeting, and, with such a successful gathering; as last week's undoubtedly was, important additions will be made. The racing was of a most interesting nature, and the very respectable sum of £11,000 was passed through the machines during the day. The club is fortunate in possessing an admirable seoretary. who is methodical in his work and courteous to all.

A jockey named Snodgrass met with fatal injuries at the Thames meeting, through his mount colliding with a post The Southern jockey Pine also sustained concussion of the biam through Petrovna falling in the County Handicap, at Auckland. There were also minor mishaps, among them the most serious being the breaking of the leg of the rider of Princess of Thule The Dunedin Jockey Club was unfoitunate m respect to weather for then summer meeting, the first day being usheied in with rain. Catherine Gordon annexed the Hurdle Race on both days, and the New Zealand Cup winner, Canteen, accounted for both days' plums in an easy manner. On Friday and Saturday last oui Wanarapa friends enjoyed beautiful w T eather, coupled with well-contested events. It was one of the most successful meetings ever held by the club, and should result in a good profit. The Wairarapa Cud was won by a representative of Prosser's stable in Ghoorka,. The Raneitikei Racing Club is also to be congratulated upon the success of its summer meeting, which took place on Friday and Saturday last. The Cup was won by Convoy. It is just about time stewards of clubs were beginning to take an interest in the running of a few particular neddies. At every meeting attempts are made to work Dig commissions, and when the "books" decline to lay, nedd:e don't win, but when the com is up, "Armstrong" is down, and it is pay pay pay ! There has been some of the hottest in-and-out running going on this season that it has ever been my lot to w ltness. I don't need to point a finger at any particular case. Everyone 1 sees it, except stewards. » ♦ * The weights are out for the Wellington Cup, and Achilles heads the list with lOst. This, at first sight appears to be a thumping impost, but. when one recals the fact that with only 41b less on his back the Porirua crack made his own pace m the New Zealand Cup, which is half-a-mile longer, it would appear that too much is not asked of him in the race in question. Canteen, with Bst 121b must be reckoned dangerous, and although the company he beat ia Dunedin last week was not too strong-, he evidenced the fact that he is well and galloping freely. With 7st olb on his back, General Symons must be stamped dangerous, and with a mile and a-half to his credit at the C.J.C. meeting in record time, there is no reason why he should not assert himself on) the day. Treadmill, with Bst 31b, just 31b more than he carried into second place in the Auckland. Cup, cannot be said to have been harshJy treated, and with no Wairiki to beat him in the race must have an excellent chance, although I prefer his stable-companion, Quarryman, with 7st 61b, and it won't surprise me in the least if he is the stable's representative on the day. Ringman, on his Palmerston. running, is nicely in with the minimum weight, of 6st 71b, and should he improve between, this and the day will be hard to beat. He won the Manawatu Cup at every stage of the race. The Hon. J. D. Ormond's pair, Idea and Menura, are also in at the minimum, and of the two I prefer the latter. To sum up. I fancy the following in the order named Canteen, Achilles, General Symons, Quarry man, and Menura. The nominations for the approaching meeting of the W.R.C. are published, and compare very favourably with those of last year, both as to Quantity and quality. Mr. Whyte, the newly-appointed secretary to the Wellington Racing Club, visited Auckland during the racing carnival, and informs me that he had a most enjoyable trip. He, of course, kept his eyes open for any points likely to be of value to him in his new position.