SPORTING

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 83, 28 September 1911, Page 7

SPORTING

SPORTS PROTECTION.

By Telegraph—Press Association. Wellington, Yesterday. •At the annual meeting of the Wellington Racing Club the chairman, -Mr. Harcourt, spoke at some length on the interference with sport and the formation of tho Sports Protection League. He called on members to enlist the services of as many members as possible, and cast their vote* against all candidates at the election who would not subscribe to their views. He mentioned that in consequence of the heavy increase in Government taxes, and the heavy financial obligations of the club, the stewards had deemed it wise during the past season to curtail the prize money. The indebtedness was weighty, about £IB,OOO, and between £40,000 and £50,000 had been spent on the course since the club removed to Trentlian in 1905. A resolution was unanimously carried in favor of the appointment of stipendiary stewards. TURF TOPICS. (By "Moturoa,") The Wanganui Jockey Club's spring meeting opens to-day and will be concluded to-morrow. At time of writing heavy showers of rain are falling, the glass is low, and weather conditions arc not too promising for the forthcoming meeting. Training operations have been practically held up by the early morning deluges. Puntere will therefore be somewhat in the dark as regards, condition, but that won't deter them from making their favorites. The Wanganui course stands rain well, ibeisg sandy, and the going will be good whatever happens. The Flying Handicap will bring out ten fair sprinters, and opinions differ as to whether Faunas, Equitas or Boanerges will start favorite. Equitas is bound to improve on Otaki form, and looks well to the eye, but the IJawke's Bay contingent will not hear of anything but Faunus. We'll leave it at that.

The Wanganui Guineas has drawn but half-a-dozen—and not a champion amongst them—and is looked upon as an exercise canter for Royal Scotch. This is current gossip, but wary ones shake their heads and mutter Labor Day, Miscount, etc., and whatever wins will have to scamper at his best gait. The Spring Handicap looks like providing a good race. Should Equitas be reserved for this event he will cbnmmand a good following. With such good horses as Merrivonia, Iraiiui, The Rover, Mulga Bill and Smilax engaged the winner will not be easy to pick. The minor events have drawn good fields and .should supply interesting racing. Small fields will contest the stick events, and the top-weights in these races appear to have most admirers.

Mir. E. J. Watt's horses had a trial spin om Tuesday afternoon, and Ireland is reported to have had all the best of it. This horse will probably havt most admirers when the machine opens on the Maiden Hack Race.

The Hawera-trained Aurora, by Conqueror, scored very easily in the Trial Handicap at Otaki. Taking the lead after going a couple of furlongs the Taranaki horse had; no difficulty in. holding his own with the opposition, and ran.in an easy winner from the littlefancied Inveran.

Since being brought to Wanganui Coromandel lias improved greatly, and now that the handieappoire are treating the son of Menschikoff very leniently he should soon begin, to do his new owner a winning turn. Cornelian made a big bid for vietory in the Otaki Hack Handicap on Monday, and looked like winning until St.. Bees i came on the scene ,-ajL-the distance. St. Bees is a very fair horse and won easily. '•■ Sandy Paul and Ma.ster Sylvia arrived safely in Wanganui on .Tuesday and appear to Ik? in good racing,"trim* . ,l;igle,w,ood sports will wish Little Erie luck when he faces the imrrier .tc-day. j lie is very fit, and is expected to run well forward.

Espartero ran round a couple of tunc?} on the Wanganui course on- Tuesday morning, and looks well to the eye. The Highden team at Wanganui comprises Boanerges, Bronze. Blakeney, Kilosteiri, and a. two-year-old filly by Charlemagne 11. On account of the wet weather they have only done slow work since arriving on Monday. Hawick was sent once round over the hurdles on Tuesday and jumped prolicient.lv.

Brilliancy is galloping splendidly at present, hut I am afraid the Hotehkiss gelling is a bit of a rogue. He leave* his wonderful gallops on the track . Faunus .ran seven furlongs on Tuesday in good style and was pulling 'hard ail the wily. This horse is very well. The bookmaker may not ije as extinct as the moa, hut there are fewer of the hawk-nosed ones at Wanganui, Usually the streets are thronged with travellers —racecourse and otherwise—jockeys, owners and bookmakers. There ar« fewer about to-day, Wednesday, but Taranaki faces are pretty comnioi amongst the sports. Kecent gaming legislation has practically wiped out tin bigger class oi pfucillor, and although it is quite possible to back a ''double'' here to-day if one is very anxious, there is not one tenth the amount of anti-. post betting indulged in now tint there was twelve months ago.