SPORTING.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 130, 23 November 1911, Page 5

SPORTING.

TARANAKI METROPOLITAN COMMITTEE. A meeting of the Taranaki Metropolitan Committee was held on Tuesday night, Mr. C. M. Lepper presiding. re m? ero aIBO P resen t: Messrs. A. McL. Thomson, A. Alexander, F. Orbell O. W. Sole, E. P. Blundell, W. C Weston and Colonel Ellis. The following licenses were grantedTrainers, T Carson, Arthur Gibert, James o'Nedl, T. C. White; apprentice jockey, Thomas Fryer; gentlemen riders, C. J. Brough, F. C. Higginson. taranakTlockey CLUB. A meeting of the Taranaki Jockey Club was held subsequently. The catering for the season was let to Mr. A. Wooller, who will arrange to serve afternoon tea in a marquee on the lawn, as well as in the grandstand. In the luncheon and tea-rooms in the grandstand chairs will be obtained to take the place of the forms. The application of the Garrison Band to play on both days of the Christmas meeting was accepted. It -was resolved to refuse admission to the club's, private property of all ex-bookmakers and their clerks, and to engage a racecourse detective to assist the club's officials to carry out the resolution.

Upon the suggestion of the handicapper, Mr. G. Morse, the date for declaration of weights was extended until December 11, the last day of the Woodville meeting. Enries for the Huatoki Plate and First and Second Scurry, also acceptances for first day handicaps, will therefore be extended to Monday, December 18, at 9 p.m. The secretary reported that alterations, to tote-house were almost completed, and that he is now arranging for a local staff to assist in the club's totahsator at the Christmas meeting. Accounts amounting to £ll 12s were passed for payment.

TARANAKI CHRISTMAS MEETING. (By "Moturoa,") There are few more attractive programmes than that drawn up by the Taraiiaki Jockey Club for their popular Christmas meeting to be held on Boxing Dav and the dav following, particulars of which will be found in our advertising columns. Sixteen events are carded, being split up into four open handicaps, two handicap hurdle races, seven hack handicaps, a w.f.a. event, and two scurries (fixed weights). The principal events on the first day are the Christmas Handicap (open), of 150 sovs., one mile and a quarter, and the Flving Handicap (open), of 100 sovs. six'furlongs. On the second day the New Plymouth Handicap (open), 100 sovs, run over a mile, and tho Farewell Handicap (open), of 80 sovs, six furlongs, will attract most interest. Owners and trainers should note the fact that the Stratford Racing Club's annual meeting takes place the following week, thus enabling horses (other than hacks) to compete in eight events during the week. Nominations for all handicap events at the Taranaki Christmas meeting close with the secretin-, Mr. E. 1\ Webster, tomorrow (Friday) evening at 9 p.m.

TURF TOPICS. (By "Moturoa,") Judging by the numerous aeeeptancps received for the opening day of the Feilding J.C.'s spring meeting, which takes place on Wednesday next, the country club should have '«, very successful gathering. Included in the list of acceptors are: Master Svlvi.i. Golden Loop. Uhlando, Tfighden. St.' Toney. True Shot. Ladv Menseliikofi\ Epsom Lass, Con the Shaughraun and a number of other Tiiranaki-traincd horses. Goldfinder, who is just coming on, should be n warm favorite for the St. Andrew's Handicap. Highden has paid up for both the open and hack hurdle races on the first day, but will probably contest the minor event. They say that Dazzling is a greatlv improved n«Hv. and Billy YounV w iil have the mount at Feilding. ° Jockey H. Futchcr will "ride Strathmoira in the stick events.

Puketotara is to be eiven a chance to distinguish himself over big country. The Officer gelding jumps very bi« hi hurdle races. " °

For beating a poor crowd at Waverley last month Koran was given 11.5 at Feilding, and most sports were surprised to see the Waverley prod's name amongst the acceptors. He is still slightly sore, but if landed at the post in jrood nick would run well with all his weiirlit.

The Wnmranui owner, A. Jackson, picked up Alma Rose while in Auckland, and the mare will carry his gaudy colors at Feilding. Tt is a remarkable fact that every time Mr. Jackson wins a rwe he buvs another horse, but Dame Fortune rarely smiles on him these days.

Needless to say the popnlar local trainer Bob Barlow came in for much deserved congratulations over winning his case against the Kgmont Raciit" Club. The action of the lalter body was distasteful ( ( . tho public generally, and it is reassuring lo notice"that the conference took a common sense view of the matter as opposed to a narrow view, cramped with needless red tape. In sport one cannot he t, lO generous, and the club set, a bad example which, fortunntelv for Barlow, was rudely upset. Writing to a Palmerston friend, Ronald Cameron is reported to have stated that he was not nearly so excited when winning the Melbourne Cup on Parisian as when he scored the first win of his life—on Operetta—at. a Hawke's Bay meeting. Cameron had a great win over Parisian's Tup. and promises himself a holiday in Xew Zealand ere long. Overtime continues to show good form at Wanganui, and should rim to the front shortly. Old Strategist lwd an argument with a barbed-wire fence tlw other day, and is an unlikely starter at Feilding.