SPORTING.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVIV, Issue 20, 29 December 1915, Page 7

SPORTING.

STRATFORD RACING CLUB. COURSE IMPROVEMENTS. The work of improving the racecourse buildings prior to the annual meeting was put in hand last week. The only alterations to the buildings are additions to the tote house, which will give investors greater facilities by the erection of ten extra pay-out windows. Improvements have also been carried out at the outside machine, and the refreshment room. The work of improving the buildings was carried out under the supervision of Mr A. f D. Blic'k, of Stratford. As to the course itself, the work of improvement was chiefly directed towards the track, the bend at the seven furlong post, near the creek, which has never met. with the approval of the committee, having received special attention. In dealing effectively with the matter, it wa s found necessary to fill the creek in, widen the course and rebank it on the outside. The alteration at the bend will enable starters in the short distance races to get away better than in the past. The barrier posts have been replaced with totara, and eleagnus hedges have been planted along the road frontage, and much planting of ornamental trees and shrubs has been carried out. The track is in splendid order, and the .whole work great credit on Mr E. €. Robinson, under whoso, supervision the improvements were carried out by Mr Lloyd (caretaker) and staff.

NEW PLYMOUTH RACING. The second day of the Taranaki Jockey Club’s Christinas meeting was brought to a successful conclusion yesterday, when again there was a large attendance. The weather was threatening at times, but little rain folk As to the racing itself, it was the “People’s Day,” which was shown in the success of the favorites throughout. The arrangements generally were as complete as usual, the officials. of whom Mr E. P. Webster was at the head, keeping a firm hand on everything. The starting was, on the whole, very good, but a most unfortunate and exasperating delay ’ occurred at the barrier in the principal race (the Ne\v Plymouth Handicap), when ,owing to what we presume was 1 termed the “misbehaviour of certain! horses” in full view of the large bulk! of those attending the meeting, a game of backing and filling and general cross-purposes, was played, which, to say the least, filled the onlookers with profound astonishment. That several fines were not imposed appears the more astonishing, because if jockeys—even “Christmas jockeys” —cannot control their mounts better than some did in the wretched display under notice, they ought not to be granted licenses. There is manifest need of taking a much’ firmer hand with riders than they are now doing in this Dominion, and good riders, know and admit this. Such a display of misconduct and incom-

petence combined, would wiever for a moment, he tolerated on any starter in Australia. The public of NexV* Zealand who support racing and keep, the game going, have a right to demand something better than the displays referred to, and if starters generally will but exercise proper firmness they will be able to do much to stay the lamentable and growing tendency of playing tricks at the starting barrier. In ninety-nine cases out of the hundred that occur the 'horse is wrongly blamed when the rider should have been brought to book for purposely making the horse unruly, with the object of, if possible, “beating” the starter. Of course these remarks are gonei’al and apply to what one sees at times on almost any course in New Zealand. ~ The only accident of note was the fatal fall of White Plume in the course of the Hurdles, when the mare broke her neck, but the rider (A. Gordon) had a fortunate escape. The totalisator receipts amounted to £17,745, as against £16,156 for the second day last year, an increase of £1589. The total for the two days amounted to £36,648 10s, an increase of £4215 10s on the registered amount at last Christmas meeting, when the returns were £32,435. ,

ADDITIONAL RESULTS. New Plymouth Handicap (open), of iSOsovs.. one mile and 110yds.—2 Mr (S. Brick’s br g Crawford (St. PaulLily), aged, 8.5 (0. McCarten), 1; 3 Mr F. Sehvood’s ch g Play Off, 8.4 (Brown), 2; 5 Mr A. C. McDonell’s ch g Ratana, 7.3 (K. McDonell), 7.3, 3. Also started: 1 Lady Middleton 8.7, 4 Patronale 8.0, 8 Royal Dragoon 7.14 (including s*lb over), 6 Ngapoto 6.9, 7 Svlvandale 6.9. After a most vexatious delay at the post Royal Dragoon and Crawford got away in front, being followed by Play Off and Patronale. Sylvandale bringing up the rear. Crawford led into the straight, and, full of running, won easily by twn lengths from Play Off, who was a good length in front of Ratana. Time, 1 min 25 2-ssec.

Warea Hack Stakes, of lOOsovs., five furlongs.—2 Mr D. J. Goodwin’s b m Munition (Sylvia Park—Tottie), 4yrs, 8.0 (McCarten), 1; 3Mr A. j Laing’s br tn Maid o’ Gowrie, 8.0 i (W. Price), 2; 1 Mr M. Gardner’s b g hpalais, 9.0 (A. Ward), 3. Also started: 5 Golden Fan 8.0, 9 Beautyform $ .0, 4, Pergola 8.0, 6'Fair Paul 8.0, 7 C’Aown' Head 8.0, 8 Normanby 8.10, 10 Mystery Lass 8.0. Munition jumped avvaV with the lead and won with ridiculomfl ease b ,V three lengths, Maid o’ GowrS 0 heating Calais by about two lengths- Time, Imin 3sec. I XJ./uti Welter Hack Handicap, of 1 lOO^t^ B '. 0110 mile and 110yds. 2 . • 1

Mr R. Hicks’ b h Syntax (Foremost— | Cling), syrs, 8.7 (0. McCarten), 1; 1 « Mr H. Cleland's br g Collector (R. Brown), 8.0, 2; 4 Mr J. Barlow’s dun , Glacier, 9.5 (L. Nodder), 3. Also started: 3 Sir Fisher 9.7, 5 Classxs 8.3, and 6 Cordon 8.0. From an excellent start Syntax and Collector were the first to show out. being followed , by Glacier and Classis. Syntax won comfortably by a length, two lengths separating second and third. Time, Imin 52 2-ssec. Electric Hack Handicap, of 100 sovs., five furlongs.—l Mr A. Alexander’s ch c Bisogne (Bezoman-St. Evangeline), 3yrs, 9.0 (W. Price), 1; 2 Mr G. Brown’s br g Royal Chef, 7.10 (C. Monk), 2; 6 Mr H A-Nod-, der’s g g Iceberg, 8.6 (L. .Nodder), 3. Also started: 4 Zion 8.10, 3 A eto 8.0, | 8 Martingale 7.5, o \estalis <■ , ' • Roderick 7.9 (inc. 61b over , and J , Golden Grafton 6.10 (me Mb allo«- : ance). Royal Chef headed Urn nurior home, with Iceberg next. At the dis tance the favorite shot through an won very easily by a long neck Ice- I berg being three lengths away, lime, Imm Jsec. . . ,