SPORTING.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 340, 16 March 1910, Page 3

SPORTING.

; PATEA HANDICAPS. i The following handicaps havo been deI eliired by Mr. G. Morse: Hurdles—Golden Glow 11.4, Claremont 10.8, Somali 10.4, Lingerer 10.2, Toddy j 9.13, Taupo 9.12, Kauroa 9.9, Clemency j 9.5, Drudgery 9.3, Lochguard 9.1, Lan- ' torn 9.1, Marutos 9.0, Nero 9.0, Federa- | tion 9.0, Red Star 9.0, Highden 9.0, The Leader 9.0, Master Lethe 9.0. Easter Handicap—Bismarck 9.0, Starboard 8.13, Paul 8.12, Valentine 8.10, ] Tam Glen 8.7, Feu d« Joie B.G, Silva 8.5, | A'wha 8.2, The Leader 8.2, Mul:m Bill 8.1, | Tsushima. 7.9, The Reiver 7.7, Rangi"\vhetu 7.7.

Flying Handicap—Billington 9.0, Valentino 9.0, Fond Memory 8.11, Kanewara 8.11, Mulga Bill 5.9, Hinekorangi 8.6, Ambergris 8.6, Nukunau 8.6, Newport 8.4, Lady Heroine 8.3, Maori Rifle 8.2, Lady Lupin 8.1, Queen's Prize 8.0, Whana 7.13, Sandy Paul 7.13, St. Prior 7.12 Clorinda 7.12. Borough Handicap Starboard 9.0, Kanewara 8.9, Tam Glen 8.8. Maori Rifle 8.0, Royal Youngster 7.13, Sea Wind 7.13, Shining Star 7.12, The Reiver 7 12, Tsushima 7.12, Sandy Paul 7.12, Clorinda 7.11, Laura Lea 7.11, Master Lethe 7.11, Voca 7.11, Red Star 7.11. Alton Handicap—Starboard 9.12, Paul 9.11, Feu de Joie 9.5, Silva 9.-4, The Loader 9.1, Awha.9.l, Newport 8.13, Lochguard 8.12, Lady Lppin 8.10, C'emane 4i. 9, Queen's Prize 8.9, Shining Star 8.8, Patrobus 8.7, Makaji 8.7, Starlike 8.7.

BOOKMAKERS ON STRIKE. SCENE AT MIRAMAR. Strikes and rumors of strikes have | been so prevalent recently that it hardly came as a surprise when one heard of a strike among the bookmakers at Miramar on Saturday (says the Dominion). People who arrived at the course after the first race were surprised to see no spectators on the "outer," though the crowd appeared ,to be dense enough on the inside. Nothing but a few boards and packages remained on the part of the ground usually occupied by the outside bookmakers. The whole of the spectators were congregated on the inside, the majority of them being clustered round a solitary bookmaker, struggling and hustling to make their bets. The cause of the trouble was a strike among fielders, who in the first place formed a sort of union, and approached the club to have the license fees reduced. They intimated that if the club refused to accede to the demands they would go on strike. However, after hearing the bookmakers, the club absolutely declined to entertain the demands. It seemed at this stage as if the meeting might fall through, but one of the bookmakers refused to join the federation, and decided to pay the usual license :ee and do business on his own account. He had a torrent of opprobrium hurled at him from a small section of the remaining bookmakers, and occasionally a handful of stones were thrown at h?m from among the crowd, but as the; e was a fairly strong force of police on the ground the crowd did not feel inclined to become riotous. And what a business the bookmaker did! He was quite unable to take all the money that was ofl'cred him, and with no opposition the crowd seemed prepared to take any price. Only one actual favorite prevailed in the five races, and something like £SOO must have found its way into the bookmaker's bag during the afternoon.

In fact, this sum must be if anything a low estimate, for, with two horses at even money and one at oilds-on in the same race, it would be necessary for "outsiders" to win to show a profit on on the book. Probably if the spectators had been unable to lose their money in this way they would have formed a ring and invested some-other way. Those of the bookmakers who "struck" think that the "punters" should be summoned for betting with an on-unionist, while the punters on their part are Evidently of opinion that the bookmakers should be dealt with for inconveniencing the public and, as a matter of fact, not a few left the course because they were unable to obtain a wager. The meeting is sa.id to be the last that will be lieid on the club's course at Miramar, although the Act abolishing pony racing does not come into force for some two weeks yet.

The Egmont Racing Club, as farmers, appear to be most successful. At the meeting of the committee on Saturday evening the secretary (Mr. Turton) reported that its last clip of 14961bs of crossbred ewe wool realised the satisfactory price of B%d per lb, being £54 10s 10d. After paying £3 7s lOd in freight, etc., the net proceeds would be £sl 3s.

At a committee meeting of the Egmont Racing Club on Saturday evening, it was decided, on the motion of Mes.srs R. H. Nolan and J. Davidson,, to forward letters of condolence to the family of the late Mr. R. E. Mcßae and Mr. j. Williamson (Auckland). Feeling references were made to the demise ot these gentlemen, who had always been prominent supporters of the club. Mr. Mcßae was a member of the committee at tile time of his death.—Star.

Mr. J. Turton, secretary, stated at the committee meeting of the Egmont Racing Club at Hawera on Saturday evening that the extra tax imposed on racing clubs by the Government would, basing the figures on the last year's 'winter meeting, cost the club an additional £lls for the coming May meeting. The ex-Xew Zealanders, Frederick (by Soult) and Merrie Oliver (by Merriwee), won events at the recent Victoria Park meeting in Sydney. In West Australia the goFdfields clubs take a delight in having "their courses looking well for their meetings,'and this year, owing to the dry season, an enormous quantity of water is being used, and it is rather costly liquid, too. The Kalgoorlie Club, for one month, used 1,313,000 gallons. At the Newmarket (Melbourne) yearling sales Mr. W. Kennedy purchased the Pistol—Alveary youngster for 210 guineas. This yearling is a full sister to the smart True Shot, who won a double at Wanganui. A. Skirvine secured the full sister to Nautiform "(Multiform—Battler) for 380 guineas at the same sale. The Xew Zealand Grand National Steeplechase winner Phaetonitis, who is rising 14 years, is being trained in Melbourne. W. S. Cox has the son of Phaeton in hand, and expects him to stand another preparation.

The recent meeting of the Wanganui Jockey Club was the first to be effected by the extra one per cent, tax imposed bv the Legislature, and, judging irom the attendance, the amount put through the totalisntor. and the fees collected •from the bookmakers the Government would benefit to the extent of something like £3OO over and above what would otherwise have been paid in to the public exchequer.