SPORTING

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 10, 6 July 1911, Page 8

SPORTING

THE KAIKOURA CLUB. By Telegraph—Press Association. Wellington, Wednesday. Replying to a deputation from the Kaikoura Racing Club to-day, the Hon. Mr. Buddo stated that the Racing Commission's report was in conformity with the provisions of the Act, and that for one year it must he given effect to. By the end of that time tfhey would know the amount of interest in "districts -which had been deprived of a totalisator permit, and after that date the position might be reviewed. TURF TOPICS.

(By "Moturoa.")

The Gisborne winter meeting opens to-1 day, the principal event being the Park Steeplechase. The following horses have paid up: First Barrel 115, Reservoir 10.12, Nogi 10.11, Swarthmoor 10.8, and Dhudeen !).7. Last year Te Arai won from Reservoir, but the latter has albs, less to carry this time. The issue appears to be fairly open. Recently Mr.' J. J. Mcßride refused 700 guineas for Obsono. A Sydney sportsman was after the southern sprinter, and it is reported that the horse has been Bold to race in 'Stralia, the price being over £IOOO. Leolanter's win at Hastings was long overdue. A contemporary states thai the chestnut ran second fourteen times before he scored a win.

The recent Hawke's Bay meetings were responsible for the break-down ol a number of horses. Aorangi, Mallet, and El Dorado were passed right out, and Sardonyx, Captain Jingle, Golden Clasp, Leolanter, and a number of others broke down.

The ex-Aucklander Wild West scored a first and a second at Rosehill, and ia now showing good form on the Victoria Park (Sydney) tracks. Ben Deelcy rides the horse in all his engagements. Bollin started twice at Napier Park, but his displays were very poor. "Tartar" whose disqualification is lifted pending further enquiry, rode Ormond's jumper eacii day. In chasing the name of Politician for his yearling colt by Treadmill out of Elusive, Sir George Clifford has paid a poor compliment to our worthy legislators.

Weights for the Grand Nationals should appear to-morrow, and their advent is anxiously awaited in many quarters.,

Provocation is said to be training on nicely, and the usual boom is raging. Some people reckon the Parliamentary Handicap at Trentham is all over. First Barrel, Okaihau and Scotch were landed at Gisborne in good fettle, and Trainer J. Williamson should not return empty-handed.

Paritutu has been paid up for in the Winter Hurdles, and with lOst lib against his name has no reason for complaint. In this race North-East will make his debut oyer fences. He jumps well, and it is said that Billy Young has been engaged to ride Mr. A. Hall's horse. The result may shed some light on the forthcoming Grand National Hurdle Race.

Sandy Paul will be given a run in the Miramax Handicap, run over seven furlongs. In asking Bay Paul to give Mr. Mumby's horse weight over the distance was, in most people's opinion, an error of judgment.

Good reports come to hand of Meroze's condition, and the Waverley "wonder" will be asked to "shake hi 6 figure" at Trentham next week.

A certain light-weight jockey, says an exchange, who, after finishing absolutely last in a race recently, was carried a furlong past the paddock gate, said of his mount: "Why, the .blanky horse is so slow that he can't even pull ui> quickly!" 1 r

Game, an Australian-bred horse is engaged in the Handicap Hurdles at Gisborne to-day. Te Arai is running into form, and should show up much better when the big money events come along shortly. Ribston Pippin is a solid juniper, and should shape well i D hack steeplechase events at the Wellington meeting. In concluding a leading article on the Racing Report, the Canterbury Times says: "Had it been the intention of the Legislators to reduce the permits the report would probably have been unanimously approved, but the Commission has apparently considered the order of reference, but not the inteßtion of the Gaming Act. The metropolitan clubs have suffered little, but the wholesale slaughter of country clubs constitutes a serious menace to the sport. Peopleeven sporting people-are only human; and with the totalisator alreadv in jeopardy, as is shown by the significcnt vote of 40 to 32 in the House, it only requires the defection of a few sountry members to see the automatic calculator go by the hoard after the next election, it is to be hoped that sportsmen in the country will accept the inevitable, and that they will not retaliate for losing half a loaf by throwing away the remainder. Although the report, as we have shown, is a very long wav from embodying the intentions of the legislature, there is nn doubt that it has been with the very best intentions. and if th# Government will administer its "recommendations" in as broad a spirit as possible if may vet avert the calamity of seeing the sport become an absolutely dead letter in the country.