SPORTING.

Taranaki Daily News, 1 September 1915, Page 7

SPORTING.

STRATFORD RACING! CLUB. annual" meeting. The annual meeting of the above club was hold last evening, Mr, A. W, Budge presiding over an attendance of about SO members. Tho president, in moving the adoption of the report and balance-sheet, said that the Eacing Conference had advised that the net profits of racing clubs would be better given to war funds in preference to the imposition of a special tax on dividends. Dr. Paget considered that there was an excess of short distance races on the programmes, and in the interests of sport these should be eliminated, and longer distance events substituted. Mr. C. D. Sole considered that a 2J per cent, tax on dividends was a fair and equitable one, and no "sport" would object to it, Mr. J. B. Richards advocated a definite plan of improvements to the club's property. Mr. W. P. Kirkwood said that he believed the committee did not intend to spend money on luxuries, but would probably hand over all profits to tlie Sick and Wounded Soldiers' Fund. Tho report was adopted.

Messrs A. Budge and W. H. Young wore nominated for the position of president, and the latter gentleman was elected. He duly returned thanks, and, on the motion of Mr. Sole, a hearty vote of thanks was accorded, by acclamation, to Mr. Budge for his past services. In acknowledging the compliment, Mr. Budge gave a short but interesting resume of the club's work. Other officers were elected as follows: Vice-president: Mr. W. J. Morrison. Committee: Messrs Pitt, D. J. Malone, . <Jr--R.tlui StanfoM, H. E. Abraham, A. Stewart, W. P. Kirkwood, and J. B. Richards. Special votes of th&nks were accorded to Mr. Coleman for his excellent services as secretary, and to Mr. S. Pitt for the work he had done in connection with the farm.

TURF TOPICS. (By "Moturoa.") The Marton Jockey Club's spring meeting—the first race meeting of importance in the racing year-stakes place to-day. The acceptances received for the various events are numerous, and give promise of interesting racing. Amongst the horses saddled up to-day will be quito a number of Taratiaki prads, and the presence of Crown Pearl, Glenroy, Fortify, Tirohanga, Cornelian, Iceberg, Welcome Nugget, Coropet, and others invests the meeting with considerable interest. The New Zealand Cup candidates Mummer, Prince Laddo, and Tangihou are also engaged. The course was in fine order, but unfortunately considerable rain fell there yesterday, and prospects for fine weather look very unpromising. With tha sting out of the ground, the chances of many of the horses will be improved. It's an ill wind, etc.

The programme opens with the Hack Hurdles, one mile and a-half, and the eighteen paid up for include some fair performers. Toreador is a strong favorite on the ground, but his form at Wanganui did not suggest that he could quite get the distance, and possibly consistent horses like St. Gate and Ruatangata may worry the Aucklander in the final stages. The Railway Handicap has attracted a nice field of sprinters, the quality of which is indicated by the fact that such a fair horse as Combustion is on the 6.11 mark at the foot of the handicap. Crown Pearl is likely to carry a lot of Taranaki money, and with 9st. is not over-weighted. Rangitiro and Mia Gara are both partial to the soft, and the former would only require to be in the same nick as when he ran Emperador and Desert Gold to. a close finish in the Manawatu Stakes in 1.14 to have a great chance. Combustion is also galloping well, and the race looks open. The Hunt Steeplechase looks life producing a duel between Rufus and Consul. The former is a high-class nag, and is likely to have a strong following, Then comes the Marton Handicap, one mile and a-quarter. Haskayne is a noted mud-lark, and 9st. is not a prohibitive weight for a horse so partial to the distance. Lady Louisa appears to have plenty of avoirdupois, and is badly treated in. comparison with Mummer, who defeated Coldstream at level weights in the Autumn Handicap (one mile and three furlongs) at the Wellington meeting in April. Fortify reads best of the others. He shapes like a stayer, and is daintily handled with 7.5. Punters' tToubles will be continued in the Electric Handicap. Sweet Corn, by Malstcr-Condiment, is most discussed, but her-' two-year-old form was pooir. On Waverley running, Coropet must liave. a chance, and Combustion (if reserved) will also be well backed. The Hack Steeplechase, two and ahalf miles, promises Bome fun. Captain Macky and Tirohanga have most to recommend them. v. ;Sixteen is the majn in the Tutaenui •Welfefj'..seven furlongs, and amongst the lot':;Qjiflcn's Post,' Prince Laddo, and Gonjbustion stand out as horses whose trick gallops show them to, be in good foiitlc. v Tii§ jjangitikei Hunt Club meeting will take place to-morrow on the Marton racecourse. Stepnipaul fell while galloping at Ellerslie last week, and broke two fetlocks, necessitating his destruction.