SPORTING

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 152, 23 December 1911, Page 7

SPORTING

IIACIXG I'IXTUUES. Dee. 2(1. 27—Taranaki J.C. Christmas. Dee. 2li. 2.). Jan. 1, 2.—Auckland lI.C. Slltlli: '. Dec. 21!. 27. :>!>—Manawatu B.C. Summer. Dee. 2l>, 27 Hum din J.C. Summer. Jan. 1. 2-'-tratford II.C. Annua], Jan. 1. 2 —Hawkc's llav J.C. Summer. Jan. li, 2—-Martini J.C. Summer. COM I NT: EVEXTS. Dee. 2(>■-Auckland Cup. Dec. 21i--Manawatu Cup. Trill' 1 TOPICS. (By '"Moturoa.") A Happy Christmas. brother sports, ninl good iuek at the holiday meeting. Before settling down into my stride 1 wih to thank tin- many good fellow-. Wiio have tendered greetings this Jhristin.is and to heartily reciprocate t!i->ir good wishes. To tlio.-e who are on top-standing up to their little lot of Christinas "dope' 1 in order to lit .themselves for Tuesday's racing—it is a timp for retrospection. The past, year opened liadly lor our sport, the slaying of the country racing eluhs lning the 'hiet disaster. But. the great racing p'niiie has moved itself. The Sporting League has -rathercd thousands in every pronaec into its fold, and as a result the ParI'ameiit recently elected contains a large Majority of member-, fasoiable to ihe isiintipn of the lolalisator and the proper safe-guarding of all sports. It is c"i-

i-iuered morally certain that another i turn will take ]ilace before the :>n.; i.ext year, and the Sporting Leagtt at present'organising an active eampai ; against the anti-totalisator members. In a few months the League's menviership will be such as to amaze the kill-sports, ami when aspirants for political i oners realise the force that is behind the movement they will fall over themselves to do the marionette act. This is Ui? time for good resolutions, and readers might place at the top of the list their determination to join the League and do something to protect the sport which they pretend to enjoy above all others. Oil Tuesday and Wednesday the Turanaki Jockey Club's popular Christmas meeting will he inaugurated, and the gathering promises to be a very successful and enjoyable one. In most cases big fields should face the starter, and given tine weather the racing should Le most interesting. On Boxing Day the Auckland Cup and Railway Handicap will be the principal "draws" at Ellerslie, and never has the issue appeared more open. Nineteen horses have made the final payment for the. Cup, and Miscount. Miss Mischief, Counterfeit, and Los Angelos have huge armies of sanguine supporters. Taranaki \ will he represented by Mendip and Uhlando. a moderate pair certainly when compared with the genuine stayers engaged in the big handicap. On Xew Zealand Cup form .Miscount and Los Angelos should he dangerous, and Domino may be depended upon to run better on the northern course. Miss Mischief is a great mare and comes from a powerful and lucky stable. She may prove hard to beat. Counterfeit should beat Masterpiece and probably most of the others. If a surprise is in store Maxwell rnav be the one to upset- the pot. From a sentimental point of view one would wish to see Miscount's number hoisted as the Hawke's Bay three-year-old has raced brilliantly but with wretched luck right through the piece. smart sprinters still remain in the Railway Handicap, and punters are divided over the chances of Equitas, Salute, Kakama. Antoinette, | and several others. If Equitas starts !a)ie will probably carry most money, but it is a hard race to win and 9st 131b is a great load, j The Manav.atu Cup. .run over a mile and a half at Awapuni on Tuesday, will bring out several good stayers and more moderate to poor performers. The final payments on Monday saw no withdrawals, and 'barring accidents the fourteen carded should go to the post. Merrivonia. Martine and Goodwin Park have proved their liking for a long journey, and public opinion points to Martine being the most dangerous of the trio. Te Puia is reported to be a greatly improved horse, and that being so may be expected to run w-ell. On paper, Birkline, Inev, Miscal, Gold Circle, Waipaku, and Brown Trout can only have rough chances. Patriotic is reported to be in good nick and should repay following the next few weeks. Although accepted for, Autumnus was not taken to Ellerslie. Brilliancy is jumping better of late, but the bay gelding is very unreliable with the colors up. The field opposing Boanerges in the Palmerston -Stakes on Wednesday is likely to be a very poor one. It is said that Charlie Jenkins will pilot Mendip in.the Auckland Cup. If Mr. J. McCombe really paid 300 guineas for Taft, as stated, the bay Freedom gelding must be accounted very well -sold. Royal Arms is in great heart at present and is a likely starter in the Robinson Handicap at Ellerslie. If common talk is any guide, Silva promises to start a very warm favorite at the Taranaki meeting. On Canterbury form Gold Bird is sure to have a good following at Awapuni. Another hurdler engaged there is Longner. who is now just about at the top of his form. Epsom Lass is bearing a well-seasoned appearance and will have all ITawera ill her following next weak. Contrary to expectations. BobrikolY has been taken to Auckland. The black champion has been doing good work, and if he remains sound his appearance at Ellerslie will be eagerly watched for next week. .Mr. R. Xarelle's cast-ofl'. Waikaraka. started twice at the Lake County meeting recently and had to put up with second money each start. Xyloidine, by Obligado, won a treble, and Kohinoor a double at the same gatheringr. Since returning from Australia "Royal Soult has been too sore to do fast work, mid northern critics do not favor his chances in the Railway Handicap. The Los Angelos—Culprit double is said to have hi en backed for a good amount all over the colony. I .iipii!itf is surely a spent light! At the Diinedin meeting next week. Soldiers' Chorus has been set to give the veteran sprinter Jllbs over six furlongs. GREATEST SWEEPSTAKE IX THE WORLD. The most famous sweepstake in the world is the great Derby sweep of the Calcutta Turf Club. The lirst prize in this has been known to run as high as (JIHI.OIIII. This year it- value was between U-ln.lllill and e.")tl.llllll. A few years ago a waiter in a London club drew the favorite, lie -old halt' liis chance at once to a member for CtiUlll). ami when the favorite won the half he retained was worth about ;C2-I.(]III). People from every part of the World have for year- taken | -11 a 11' -1 - A -ii:;.:'e about. Ills, and spring of every year 111-. hitherto 111-ought, myriads of rupee notes and drafts ami postal orders along every mail route to the Turf Club. The lirst prize is always a fortune, while the second and third are large enough to provide the winners with a modest income for life.

Hut now (lie cluli have decided to restrict their future Derby and St. Legcr swi• i■ |>-I;ikes to their own members. Tllis stcj. :i;s been 1 aks-n (in account of t.lie "iii]i Ics i ret I publicity"' givento the sweepstakes ill the English Press. 'l'lie editors i)l" journal.- in Irnlia have received an annual request that no mention of the sweepstake> might be allowed to appear in their columns, and this they have ah ways respected. lint the English i'rcss made ;i story of the •.■reat sweep, and the result has been that thousands of people all over the world will never again have this chnuce of obtaining a fortune for half a. .sovereign.