Turf Topics.

Free Lance, Volume VI, Issue 282, 25 November 1905, Page 21

Turf Topics.

By the "Old 'Un."

THE executive of the Wellington Raciag Club have definitely decided to hold their summer meeting on their new racecourse, at Treutham, commencing on the 20th of January next. Such was the intimation of Mr. A. E. Whyte, the club's secretary upon my dropping in to obtain the latest news on Monday last. That a barren, stump and boulder covered area of land' should be transformed into a, beautiful, turf-covered race track inside twelve months is evidence of what energy and good management, aided by £ s. d., can do, and tho&e wiho journey to Trentham to witness the race for the next Wellington. Cup may well suspect that the secretary of the Wellington Racing Olub h>ad, during the past year, obtained possessioi of Aladdin's magic lamp. In company with the Improvement Committee of the Wellington Racing Club, I last week made a minute inspection of the race track, grand, people's, and' stewards' stands, and the turf on the track has com© on splendidly. Except for a few chains, which was sown down late owing to the Mndran.ce of wet weather, the track could be used for horses to gallop on even now. The backward portion is well covered with grass, and, as a plentiful supply of water is available through pipes laid round the course, it can be watered daily, and should be equal to the other portions 1 when required on the 20th of January next. The stands win give onlookers a capital view of the racing, whilst the accommodation provided! for all classes 01 the club's patrons: is second! to none m the colony. The dining-romos ar* ample, whilst the culinary departments should satisfy even the most exacting of caterers, every convenience having been provided 1 . The main diningroom, on the ground floor runs the whole length of the grand stand, th<3 members' and stewards' luncheon rooms are on the upper floor, andl a lift will connect with + he kitchen. With a capable staff, the club's caterer shouL' find everything work as smoothly as :n any first-class and well-regulated' hotel. The stewards' stand also covers the secretary's, handicapper's, and clerk of the scales' roms. A telephone will be fitted up, and this will be connected with the totalisators, and will also be available for members of the press. The jockeys' room is of ample dimensions, and is fitted with lockers, of which each rider will have a key. This will render it impossible for the gear or apparel of jockeys being interfered with whilst they are engaged in racing. Although the racecourse and stands are practically finished, there are still large gangs of men engaged erecting fences, boxes, conveniences, etc., and tihe scene will be a busy one for the greater part of the next two months, but the committee and Mr. Whyte are sanguine everything will be in, readiness for the opening day. Amongst those who inspected the new course at Trenthana were Messrs. E. M. Betts, a steward of the Australian Jockey Club, and E. W. Cropper, secretary of the Kalgoorlie Racing Club. These gentlemen have seen most of the best of colonial racecourses, and they spoke most flatteringly of the Trenitham racecourse, and were agreed that the " appointments were of p thorough up-to-date description. Messrs. Betts and) Cropper left last week for Auckland, via Pipiruki and Rotorua. • • • A few figures concerning the A.J.C.. supplied during a chat with Mr. Betts, are interesting. The memibersihip of the A.J.C. numbers 600, the annual subscription being five guineas. The club races on twenty-three days during the year, and have at present £45,000 at their bankers on deposit. Their revenue consists of : Members' subscriptions, £3150; bookmakers' license fees, £7500; gate takings, £12,000, sale of privileges, £1500 ; and fees from owners. A system greatJy in vogue in Australia is that of adding sweepstakes, contributedl by owners, to the stakes given by tihe clubs; the bulk of the prize money is thus furnished by the owners of the horses competing. Mr. Betts considers that under the present circumstances there is very little chance of the totalisator being legalised in New South Wales, at any rat*

in, the near future. The racing clubs, he declares, axe doing well enough under present conditions. The New Zealand! Cup, Derby;, and Canterbury Cup winner, Nootuiform, leaves the colony for England! shortly Whilst genuine sportsmen will regret the expatriation! of one of the best colts ever saddled up in, the colony, much in.te.rest will be centred in his doings on the English turf. Nootuiform's trainer, Mr. R. -T. Mason, will, no doubt, experience »> pa-ng of regret at losing the services of such a sterling galloper. He can, however, console himsell with the fact that h© still has under hus oar© Isolt and Sungod, a pair of three-year-olds that many good! judges deem very nearly, if not quite equal, to the star performer which the stable have exiled. The declaration of the weights for _ the Auckland Oup and Railway Handicap has given a fresh impetus to backers of doubles, and the local metallicians are busily engaged acoommodaALng their clients. Mahutonga, Sootty, and Paritutu are most in favour for the Oup, whilst Lady Annie, Hohoro, and Sir Tristram are selected for the Railway Handicap. The Chokebore Lodge team are voted nicely treated! in the face of their good form at the C.J.C. meeting, and not a few are partial to the chances of Quarryman and Gay Spark for the Cup, and Stronghold, Glenowlet. and To-morrow for the Railway Handicap. The latter trio will not lack supporters when the stable's intentions are made public. • • • The Feilding Jockey Club's spring meeting takes place next week. Good acceptances have been secured, and some interesting contests should ensue. The following should prove worthy of the attention of backers: — Flying Stakes Handicap, three-quar-ters of a mile. — Stronghold, St. Claimer, Ballarat. St. Andrew's Handicap, owe and ahaJf miles. — Grenade, Asteroid, Whakawihi. Aoxangi Hack Handicap, one and aquarter miles. — Aureole, Operebta, Batley. Hack HurdOe Handicap, one and ahaJf miles. — Numa, Cassiopeia, "Wild Cat. Spring Hurdle Handicap, two miles. — St. Lyra, Pushful, Waiwera. Kiwrbea Welter, one mile. — Grenada, Tikarawa, Wind. Fitzroy Hack Handicap, six furlongs. — Pretty Maid, Flotilla, Clipper.