SPORTING.

Taranaki Daily News, 11 July 1917, Page 7

SPORTING.

AUTRALIAN TURF, Australian-N.Z. Cable Association. Sydney, July 10. Murray Hobbs with Kilboy, Killem, Godday, Kilflinn, Fotheringay and Beltane, H, Taylor with Bee, and C. Jones with Sasanof, Sweetcorn and Shrill, and two others have arrived. TURF TOPICS.

(By "Moturoa.") The Wellington Racing Club's winter meeting takes place to-day, on Thursday, and on Saturday, and judging by the splendid Jields carded for the opening day the Tacing should be of a high order. The Empire City is reported to be full of visitors, and provided the crowd can get out to the course the attendance should be very lftrge. The Railway Department seems to be glued down to the new fangled policv of cutting off its nose to spite its face, and all the pressure that has been brought to bear on the "powers that be" has had 110 further result than a promise to "strengthen" two ordinary trains, but even these are turned at inconvenient hours. The result 4s that every motor car, omnibus, etc., has been bespoken weeks ahead, and the scramble to get to the course will long be an unhappy recollection for those who are forced to suffer it. Usually the race traffic to Trentham numbers 3000 persona, but this week only a shade over 1000 can be accommodated. The kill-joy ridden Department, for reasons of its own, refuses to make any special provision for the extra traffic," 'and in addition declines to re-arrange the existing timetable to suit the needs of the public. It is useless for the Government to cry Economy when its own policy seems to be to turn away thousands of pounds in revenue which might ibe picked up without the slightest inconvenience. This revenue is put into the pockets of privateering taxi proprietors, while the Department which cannot spare men for the (fighting line, chooses to hold itself up to public ridicule. 'Perhaps they are consoling themselves with the assurance that the Methodist Church (to quote a Wellington paper) "heartily commends its action!"

Considerable rain has fallen at Trentham recently, and the tracks are very heavy. Added to this is the fact that the so-called "form" of the jumpers seen out this season has been such as to defy the Rtudent of racing form, and the result is that 'winners are not at all easy to {tick. Yet punters seem to pin their faith to the old adage, "Fortune favors the brave." El OJallo and Braeburn were the early favorites for the Wellington Steeples, but Merry Lad has come into favor now, and may start as good a favorite as anything. In a true Tun race, however, it is hard to get away from the tried I division. Rewipoto's appearance in the WinteT Hurdles will be keenly watched. The local horse will have the services of J. Deerey, but it is asking him a 'big question in his initial performance over the sticks to beat .seasoned and proved jumpers like Bon Reve, Sir. Fisher, Moulu and others. Tne race looks very open. Tip Uip is one of the favorites for the Winter Cup, and if as good as his party consider, is favorably treated by the Wellington handicapper.

Paremata and Dood should Ibe suited by the country at Trentham, and it (would occasion 110 surprise to see the pair run well there this week. Wellington sports seem to have made <up their minds that Johnny Walker will he a hard thing in the Parliamentary. The Wellington nag has been galloping splendidly, but a shorter race at a later stage of the meeting might 'be more to his liking. King Chiara is as fit as ever lie was, and the distance should not trouble him. He is sure ~to carry a heap of local money. A great ficjld of thirty-two is listed for the Te Aro Handicap, run over six furlongs. If Rio gets out well his bickers will be sure of a good run, though iWhite Banger, Black 'Hill, and others are all fairly smart over the distance. The smartest neddy at Fordell at present is Arrowfield, 'who will be produced on Thursday and Saturday at Trentham. All Wanganui has been saving up the shekels for months for Arrowfield.

Cabinet generally approved of the recommendations of the combined Racing and Trotting Conferences as regards the curtailment of race days for next season. One exception is the Egmont R.C., which it was "proposed would lose one day. Cabinet has decreed that it will only-Vetain two days. As the Egmont Club had already decided on this action •no harm has 'been done. Next season there will be IUB days of racing, as against 822 this year.. Auckland twill have 25 days, Canterbury 22, Greymouth 10, Hawke's Bay 23, Otago 27, Wanganui 18, Wellington 16, and poor old Taranaki—only 7. This is Cabinet's final decision.