SPORTING.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 278, 25 April 1914, Page 7

SPORTING.

RACING FIXTURES.

April 25—Avondale J. C. Autumn. April 25—Wellington R.U. Autumn. April 21), 30 —Manawatu B.C. Autumn,

May 6, 7—Havvke's B.ij .j.C. Autumn May 13, 14—ICgmont R.C. Winter. May 21, 23—Wanganui J.C. Winter.

WELLINGTON ACCEPTANCES.

By Telegraph—Press Association. Wellington, Friday. The Wellington Racing Club's second day's acceptances are:— Second Ha<jk Hunters' Steeplechase, two miles and a-half —Kelp ,11.2, S ;l v.o" Monarch 10.11, Strolled 10.0, Sunroae, Grit Lawless 9.12, St. Curio, Exotic, Master Malaehi 9.9, Max, Renowned May 9.7. Hutt Handicap, one mile—Byron 10.;}, Mowbray 9.5, Immer 9.4, Tetikura 5.9, Mt. Victoria 8.6.

Muritai Handicap, seven furlongs Chillies 8.5, Belasco 8.3, Merrie Gain 7.12, John Willie 7.8, Amity 7.0, Georg-o 8.7.

Pacific Handicap, six furlongs— Downliam 8.12, Tete-a-Tete 8.8, Bee 8.2, Angelina 8.0, Chakwana 7.8, Goldstream 7.5, Elevate 7.1, Columbus 7.0, Want <5.10, Blissful 6.7. Autumn Handicap, one mile and three furlongs—Emperador 9.0, Ladoga 8.10, Bleriot 8.8, Tannhauser 8.7, Rinaldo and Sir Knox 7.12, Red Book and Byron 7.10, Royal Arms 7.0. Suburban Handicap, six furlongs—Ermcngarde 9.2, Autumnus 9.0, Crown Pearl 8.5, Gipsy Belle and Pavlova 8.2, Sir Moseley 8.1, Altcar 7.13, Valhalla and Beldame 7.12, Sauci 7.7, Salzburg and Aratiatia 6.10, Merrie Guy *6.7. Belmont Handicap, six furlongs—Sveaborg 9.0, Belasco 8.'5, Listen 8.4, Sir Saracen 8.3, Rene and Merrie Gain 7.13, Raupani 7.9, Haumakaha and Kakawai 7.0, Eerehau 6.7.

Treiitham Gold Cup (w,f.a.), two miles—Bronze, Thrax, Sir Solo, Cherubini and Merry Roe.

Notes by "Moturoa."

THE OLD PRBJUDICK Opponents of the totalisator are, happily, few in New Zealand, but in 'Stralin, especially in New South Wales, the inachine appears to be as productive of argument as Home Rule, or the laic strike. Much of the opposition comes, of course, from the powerful bookmakers. Their power to purchase politicians and racing club officials is said to be immense, and when their own fat, cham-pagne-wetted, cigar-smoked existence is threatened, they never hesitate to move politicians (and other influential persons) to think as they do. A few years ago t'he New South AVales Parliament, in the dying hours of the session,- gave a good hearing to a pro-tote ueputation, and prospects ol the machine getting .1 trial looked promising. But those who knew the bookies' power shook thei;heads. Money will do anything, and what the bejewelled sons of Israel don't know about "palm oil" isn't worth knowing. To cut a long story short, a Totalisator Bill was thrown out with the violence of a pair of llnnoceri falling down stairs. Afterwards a Commission was set up, and a party toured New Zealand. After living in the lap of luxury for six weeks or so, and being feted and dined (and wined) at the. expense of New Zealand racing clubs, they departed in a shower of enthusiasm of the mechanical layer ol odds, but when they f'eturned to Sydney they gave an adVerse report!

Much of the prejudice against the totalisator is the result of ignorance, but it is surprising to see a writer like "Miljoy" of the {Sydney Mail, pen such puerile piffle as this:—"The public i? nothing if not gullible, and the trash one reads about the great value of the totalisator should be classed with Yankee patent medicine advertisements." V. <; had a taste of the bookmaker curse .1:1 our courses a tew years ago, and though the tote does not touch perfection ;n all tilings it is infinitely for the sport in most respects. One has not far .to look to see what the totalisator has done for racing in New Zealand. Bigger stakes, better race-course appointments, and public confidence are three outstanding features. There, is 110 questioning the popularity of racing and .the totalisator in the Dominion. Everywhere boom reigns, and the reason is evident. Have the bookmaker's partisans ever consider: (1) That the tote offers bigger dividends, and oftentimes handsome rewards for backing a second; (2) that the totalisator commission .goes to increase stakes and provide bett< r accomodation; and (3) that the totalisator never deliberately "scaled" an investor, or "stiffened" a horse in its existence! But the old prejudice dies hard:

CURRENT TOPICS'.

Concluding day at Avondale. The Trentham Gold Cup will be run for to-day. Patronale and Gerborga are,, due to score at any moment. ' ( " The "stone moral," First Wairiki, failed 011 Wednesday, but he may do better to-day.

Stroller cost his party a neap of go id money when he ran off at TrenUia'ii. Barring accident they reckoned the Strowan gelding would' "stroll" home! The battle between Merry Roe ami Cherubini in the New Zealand St. Lcger on Thursday must have been great "to watch. The, Aucklander just won by 'a smite."

Acceptable Easter "ggs from "Tatts" took the shape of fso'H> lor an Aucklam' swindiecate, and £IBOO came to another such combination in Wanganui. Our turn is long overdue!

Ladaga's victory in the Thompson Handicap did not benefit many local sports, but the Sir Laddo gelding ouh paid a short price. Two very nnfort.inate horses, llasliayne and Bleriot, were, breathing hard 011 the winner when the post was readied.

Bee and C-hakwana did not run up to expectations in the Plunket Aiinserv. Once again Honesty proved the best policy! Tannhauser has done so much racing over long courses that the public .vou'il not have him lor the Railway Handicap. and the son of .Martian paid a uiec second dividend.

The lligliden stable is experiencing another turn of fortune s wheel, and following on the victories of La Favoriti Bronze and I'.xpect, fresh "plums" we,; plucked by ttrinengarde and Pnriforni ■■ : Trentham.

Coronet, whose stock are favorably known in this province, is now ba"'k again in Auckland at Mr. 11. I!. Jsic's ilangerc stud. Bercola is now looking in great heart, and, considering the poor class of 'chasers out this season should have another good innings over the nig obstacles. Tripoli and Royal Irish each notched a win and a half on Wednesday at Avondale, and they do not appear to be overburdened to-dav.

Bedford, liy tho Wnnu'iiini ('nine,is winner Bunvan, appears to lie tin- best two-year-old in Auckland at tli« present moment. His sire vonld have dono bif» things had Jiis the stviiin Jong enough.

A mild strike occurred ; t the Westland meeting the other day t'lie jocke/o alleging ti.at the track was ansai'e after the recent storm, and for a while the lads looked like holding up the meeting, Misfortunes never come singly, for after part of the town had been washed away the gale wrecked the grandstand and the' rain did its best (or worst) to ruin the racing track. However, 'he meeting splashed along somehow, aiil nobody was lost in the bog! It takes !<>t.. to put the ''kibosh'' oil racing o'.<, what is popularly known as the V -«st Coast.