SPORTING.

Otaki Mail, Volume XXVIII, 7 June 1920, Page 3

SPORTING.

3 . 4 I (NOTES ON OTAKI MEETING. I Too attendance \i last v.-oek-s rue 1 meeting at Otaki was by far the larg * est seen locally, and some £l3O ovc I last year was taken at the gates for tin I first ..lay. Over £7O in excess of last f year was taken on the second day. Mi I J. Southey Fowler, who had charge ol I the arrangements, proved the right i man in the right place, and due to his j efforts there was no hitch in the arf rangemeuts. He also possesses a capj able stall, and credit is also due in this f direction. : Despite the heavy rain previous to tho meeting the course was in fair order, and the work put In by. E. Wooding, caretaker, for the second day was much appreciated. The course had been improved considerably, and own- , ers and trainers were well satisfied.

Ati innovation at (he meeting was the erection of a barrier in the birdcage, whereby those admitted were kept clear of the horses and their attendants. What is now- wanted —as no doubt the meeting is proving more popular each year—is bettor "tote" accommodation and enlargement of the stands. On both days the crowds were packed in all directions. The police report on the meeting was most favourable, there not being a solitary "drunk." This is probably due to the liquor put on tap by Jlr Howell, our local publican. "Firewater" is evidently a thing of the past with Otaki races. We hope sol One lady investor at the meeting on two occasions invested money on the tote, and on both instances went immediately to the pay-out window, | where she awaited the running of lite J races. On each occasion, however, she ] h.dd the winning ticket. This was j backing a "cert" with a vengeance. i . Someone in the crowd suggested n ! collection for the band, and started off i ■•- throwing in half a crown. This ,vas, however, the only coin given at hat lime, the crowd evidently being of ■ betting rather than of » generous miure. Mr .1. I'. Brandon, however. avoured the boys during the day auct ;nve a couple of pounds. The gift was

appreciated While the race officials were working most energetically the popular prcsidf nl. Mr Ben hung, was most attentive to visitors. Neither did he forget the Press! Among the visitors to the races were Mr W. it. Field, M.P., and a number of visitors from Wairarapa, Hawkc's Day. Taranaki, and other distant parts. A member of the Legislative Council was very sore when he was requested to pay 2s at the gate. lie wildly fiouri hed hi- medallion and explained who and what he was, but to no parpo-e. There was a "divvy" of over a I score on the first day. when Willy'.' j Knight was first past the past. One j punter held no less than seventeen j tickets. Uushabye pulled up very lame after .taking part in the steeplechase. The most successful jockey at the mooting was our local horseman, W. no'.'.den. who redo two first and t'.'.o ei onds. Mansou rode two firsts and one second, Lowe two firsts and a c.-ond. Morris two A. Peed two lirsts and a second. Barry a first and a ecoud, Hawker a first and a second. La wry a first, Goldfinch three seconds, Mi-Carton. Carmont and Anderson a second each. While some papers are publishing j i he figures giving the order of favouritism other journals arc declining to do so. considering they would bo \x\r against the Act in doing so. A decision on the matter would be interesting. Hushabye, who struck heavily in the Steeples, has injured one of her forelegs, and will have to be spelled for a. j time. The game little mare was going j well when the mishap occurred. 1". Higgott intends to take Luke and . Wirokino to Hastings, Napier. Welling- J ton. and Ckristchureh. Southern ex- J changes say the former is already I fancied for the big Christchurch ] steeplechase -