SPORTING.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 56, 25 February 1908, Page 3

SPORTING.

I KACIXti IX AI'STIiALIA. Flciuiiigton, IVbruar; -!. i Tangaioa ran lull' a mill' in -m-v. I X'.irth Ilea.l iliil like .vise. Caimned. , | i .in a mil:' i:i iin in .ilsec. Melodrama ' li.ill' ii mill' in Jiisec, Socialist livo furj loi>-.s in Imiii li-,--. 1.,i,1v l)illid-.|,ir and ': i; i,,n.. half ii i.iiiu in ■-.!.<■/. MoiinMin : \\W.-i v.... sli-Mly injured en Saturday. Inn lia- now recovered.

TI'RF TOPICS. |l!v "Moturoa"). T'l.e WoiKl'ville ISacing flub pi through the machine the sum of Cl] Olil at their recent meeting, an iucrcaof over CIiIHJI) on last year's figures. I ils list two meeting, the club's tuta isator turn-over has increased by n less than CIOJIOtI. And secretaries < Kacing Club's are themselves asking ill

reason nUy< liusli lives and drought aie surely not conducive to increased "tote" revenue, and nionev is not more plentiful than last. Well. - the reison is this. The ~||,|, has followed the lead of the Wellington , Manawalu. Pahiatnn. and Fnxton dulis ] n taking up what a southern miter aptlv terms the "open do»f policy. As' Ii is alreadv been pointed out in these columns, the abovementioned clubs have- acted liberally with complimentary liekels, ami have con»c<|iiciitly popularised the meetings. The increased totalisator revenue has more than made up the primary loss and the public have patronised the

meetings in full force. Although tin system is open to abuse, in the hands ol

competent secretaries it is bound to success, and I hope to see clubs in this province taking the tip and lifting the game along this season as other c,lubs have done.

The Porirua hurdler Playmate was the only double winner at the Woodville meeting, and scored on each day with the greatest ease. The Maiden Plate on the first day brought to light Contour, a bay mare by Phoebus Apollo—Crescent, and hnlfsister to Starshoot. She was in a liamly position all the way, and scored comfortable.

Hip|x)lylns, Oriuond's representative in this event, broke a blood-vessel .and had to be pulled up-

Kurawaka was a decided favorite for the Woodvillc Cup, but could only tinish fourth. Loiret one easily from King's Lynn, who beat Waipaku in the list few strides for second money. Kosegrove ran badly and finished' last.

Kurawaka did better on the second day, winning the Autumn Handicap by a neck from the f.ist-lini-hing Ahernition. The consistent King's Lvmi was third.

K. Hatch piloted four winners, Scatoii Dale, Lethean, Kurawaka, and Cyrene, on the second day, bringing his total up to six wins in the two days.

Taoiuaki horses gathered in three races at the meeting, Somali. Hydraulic, and Cyrene being the lucky ones. Cyrene. was responsible for a good "go" in the Shorts Handicap, getting to the end of five furlongs in linin 0 4-:>scc. (official time), and winning by three lengths from Chicane. Rangipipa has run cloven wconds and three firsts this season. l'earlie and Silver Chain, who were both seen out at the Woodvillc meeting, were omitted from the list of acceptors for the Shannon meeting, which takes place on Wednesday next.

Jockey W. 11. McKay, who was kicked by Hydraulic on Wednesday last, iabout again.

Persimmon, whose death was announced in a recent cable, was got by the famous St. Simon, and was bred by his Majesty the King at the Royal stud. His principal turf successes were the Derby and St. Leger. At the stud Persimmon was a great success, his daughter Sceptic, who was sold to .Mr. lioli Sevier for 10,000 guineas as a yearling, winning £38,000 in stakes alone. Persimmon was sixteen years of age when he succumbed to injuries received a few weeks before.

The Wellington l'ouy and Galloway meeting took place on Saturday at Miramar, in fine weather, before quite two thousand spectators, and a good day's sport was served up. The stewards were only called upon to review the limning of one horse, Miretta, iu the Miramur Cup, and after taking evidence they disqualified the horse, owner, and jockey for three months. Inspiration | Freedom—Happy Thought) won a double, and Kauhoe (Captain Webb—l'nriri inare) also won two races. Good fields were the order of the day, but the horsemanship displayed was not of the best, and several ponies ran wide at the turns. The course was in good order, anil the success of the club is assured. The following were the renlts; Initial Scurry Handicap: Kitty I, Tit-lov-Tat 2, Silvery Ocean ',!. Won by six lengths. Maiden Handicap: KauliOe 1, Winnie 2. Norniandalc 3. Won easily. Miramar Cup: Inspiration 1. Lady Mason 2, Kitty 3. Won by a head. Kilbirnie Handicap: Kauhoe 1, Tit-for-Tat 2. Silvery Ocean .'I. Won easily. Tradesmen's Purse: Norniandalc 1, Insanity 2, Lady Kawson 3. . Won by half a length. Farewell Handicap: Inspiration 1, Kitty 2, Winnie 3. Won easily.