SPORTING.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 155, 26 November 1914, Page 2

SPORTING.

THE TOTALISATOR IN NEW SOUTH WALES. By cable. —Press Association. —Copyright Sydney, November 25. :Mr. Cann lias declined to take any steps with the Totalisator Bill till Mr. Holman returns from Melbourne, and Cabinet has considered it. He made it clear, however, that a majority of Ministers opposed the introduction of the totalisator, either as a State enterprise or as a legalised method of gambling, and the Government was not prepared to further the Bill. A majority of the caucus favored the measure, and it was consequently announced that ono of the Ministers would stand sponsor to the Bill. It was nofc expected that it would be introduced this session.

TURF TOPICS. (By "Moturoa.") A good number of Taranaki horses will be racing at Feilding oii Saturday, and judging by their prices on the double-charts tiiey are expected to run prominently. Maniaroa is a firm favourite for the St. Andrew's Handicap, and Grattan, Play-Off and Rewi Poto are the short-priced ones in the Flying. Taranaki stables are also strongly represented in the minor events. Bercola and Timothy figure in tlio Spring Hurdles; Wild Lupin in the Iviwitea Welter; Quo Vadis in the Fitzroy Hack Handicap; and Sir Fisher in the Trial Plate.

The Feilding Stakes promises to see a good field under silk. Clifford's elect, probably Adjutant, will carry a lot of money, and with Postillion, Mia Cara, Rangitcro and other speedy ones engaged a close finish is more than likely. Kcwi Poto is engaged in the Oroua Stokes (0 furlongs) run on the second day. The black horse will be up against a warm crowd, including Postillion, Bertrada, Grattan, Astor and Adjutant.

jockeys, or rather, successful jockeys earn fine percentages on the other side of the Tasman. Little 801b Meddick, who piloted the winners of the Melbourne Cup and Veteran Stakes, got away with £402 Gs in percentages alone. Others to land big cheques at the same meeting were W. H. McLachlan, whose share was £2OO, and It. Lewis, who was right on his heels with £2;12. Last week this scribe opined that the He Gama trouble had something to do with suspicions as to the horse's ownership, and tliis week's Bulletin says must the samo thing in its own quaint way as follows: —After the last day at Fleniington people were, mostly of opinion that there had been a little too much fie fiama at the Cup meeting. The name of fie (iania, from Maoriland, has been heard in the land for months past, what time he was running on up-the-line. courses and winning as often as not. His Melbourne record previous to Derby Day was three wins and two places in seven starts. For the. Coburg Stakes, the. much-talked-of animal was weighted at only Sst. 31b., in spite of his wins and his reputation. Somebody must have thought him favourably handicapped, for lie was backed down to a very short price. After a fine finish, fie Gama beat the Flying Tadanga, with the Doncaster Ilandicap winner, First Principle, in third place. His next appearance was on Oaks Day. He was chucked into tlie Carnival Handicap at the same ol<l Sst 31b., and the world thought so well of him that lie started at something near "evens." Won again. On Saturday the victorious steed was raised 101b.—101b. for two brilliant wins within a week!—and again he started favourite, and won. Evidently the handicapper had been too gentle with fie llama. Meanwhile the stewards of the V.A.T.C. had put a damper on the fie Oaminonese by refusing the nomination of the horse, for reasons connected with the ownership—i.e., on account of suspicions appertaining thereto. But that doesn't explain everything. There is trouble in Sydney over a recent liosehill "double." The charts omitted tho isaino o£' the winner of o.ie event, an<l those who hold that they cannot lose where they had no chance to win are crying out, and refuse to settle. Til this country doubles arc "all in," and the "no chance to win, no bet" axiom isn't respected at all. Reputation, First Flight, and Sea Pinlc are the nominal favorites for the Auckland Cup. The first-named pair

are exceptionally brilliant three-year-olds, and there is no reason why tliey should not run well with S.l and 7.9 respectively. Sea Pink seems badly treated, and before the day will probably give way in the betting to Bonny Helen, Prince. Merrixvee and SouliikofV. liven now Northern layers have Prin?o Merriwoe at a short price, but if you want good odds you generally have to go South. Anyway, you have more chance of getting paid when you do win off the latter "woolbrokers."