SPORTING

Taranaki Daily News, 6 December 1919, Page 7

SPORTING

RACING FIXTURES. Dee. 10, 11—Woodvllle J C. Summer. Dec. 11—Bay of Plenty .T C. Annual. Dec. 19. —Tanmaranui B.C. Annual. Dec. 26, 27.—Taranakl J.C. Christmas. Dec. 20, 27, 29.—Matawatu E. C. Summer. Dec. 26, 29, Jan. 1, 2—Auckland R.C. Summer. AUCKLAND CHRISTMAS MEETING. FIRST ACCEPTANCES. By Telegraph Press Association. Auckland, Last Night. The Auckland Racing Club's first acceptances are : RAILWAY HANDICAP. Six furlongs.— Sliver Link, King Lupin 9.1, Rossini 8.12, Hytnestra 811, Gazlque 5.9, Talamal 8.4, Lord Kenilworth 8.2,. Tigrltlya 710, Slmonides 7.8, Torfreda, Crowhurst 7.7, Miss Mimic 7.2. Trespass 7.1, Murlhlku 6.10, King Abbey, Comedy Prince, No Mistake 0.7. AUCKLAND CTJP. Two miles.—Vagabond, Mascot 8.10, TJncle Ned' 8.8, Snub 8.6, Red Ribbon 83. Kihnoon 8.1, Battle Song, Karo, Mangamahoe, Dusky Eve 7.13, Tlnopal 7.12, Alteration 7.11, Heathereote 7.8, Mullingar, Melee 7.0, Affectation 6.13, Housewifo 6.9, Rose Wreath, Blue Cross, Tressida 6.7. • After the declaration of forfeits, the following remain In the classic events :-* 46th. GREAT NORTHERN DERBY.—Archie, Nightraider, Royal Stag, HyTax, Canowlndra, Rossini, Tlnokaha, Glen Canny, Raikumoana, Makepeace, Affectation, Rose Wreath, b. g. by King Rufus—Lady Owen, Crenldes, b. g. by Wauchope—Miss Modest, Heathfr Sprig. GREAT NORTHERN FOAL STAKES.—Landslide, Moorfowl, Dunedin, Well Done, Lucullan, Right and Left, Humbug. 25th. ROYAL STAKES—SIker Link, Royal Stag, Moorfowl, Stammer, Hyrax, Rossini, KUlowen, Affectation, Murihiku, Heather Sprig, Misk, Landslide, Dunedin, Well Done, Lucullan, Right and Left, Humbug. ENGLISH RACING. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. London, Dec. 2. The Jockey Club's committee appointed to Inquire into the condition of racing finds that the proportion of stakes .contributed by owners is considerably higher than in Prance, Australia, or New Zealand. > It contrasts the .goaerows treatment of owneTS by Australasian clubs compared with that in England, especially in regard to; added money and giving the public •lower admission rates. The report recommends the Jockey Club to exercise closer control of racecourses, and to lower the admission charge.

CARBINE'S SKELETON SHIPPED London, Dae. 1. The Duke of Portland i 3 shipping Carbine's skeleton to Australia by the Palraa.—Aus.N.Z.' Cable Assn.' NIGHTWATCH SOLD. Melbourne, Dec. 5. The racehorse Nlghtwatch, winner of the 1918 Melbourne Cup, has been sold 10 an Indian buyer for £2OOO. TURF TOPICS. (By "Moturoa.") Woodvllle on Wednesday. Hymestra .Is very bad at the barrier. Mr. G. L. Stead paid 1730 guineas for Right and Left. Some Boy 11. is to bo given an easy time until the tracts get softer. Splendid entries for Stratford. Weights will not appear until the 15th. Inst. Tessares should be a warm order for the Trlal'Plato (w.f.a.), at Woodvllle. Gloaming, who will race at Ellerslio, recently, ran six furlongs comfortably In 1.14 at Rlccarion, • They say that Afterglow Is "set" for the Auckland .Cup. A slight, respite has improved htm greatly. 'A big Wellington Bar Von stood to lose a tidy sum- over the Esthonla—Moutoa ■ Iranova double at Fellding, but got square by investing £6O on the tote on the latter. Luckriow, who won the last Caulflold Cup and stakes to the tune of £5236, Is on the private sale list. They say that 2000 guineas was offered and refused, for Undo Ned recently. This Is big money for a gelding. Mr. G. O. B Fenner, a well-known Melbourne sport, claims the unique distinction of having witnessed the running of every Melbourne Cup. Considering that there were 59 run it is some record 1

The Waverley-Waitotara Racing Club Is going In for a much-needed new grandstand. The structure will eat up the nest pail of fifteen thousand quidlets, and should benight up-to-date. A good word Is said for the Caranfire fielding The Digger, trained by .T. Farmer, at Awapunl. He Is a bit green yet, but can go fairly fast. Combining business with pleasure I An Atakl scribe reports that local trainers find it profitable exercising their noddles on the beach, "where they frequently find a frost fish, which Is easily disposed of at from 10s to 30s " It Is to bo hoped that fhelr horses do not turn out "frosts" when they go Ashing for big stakes. The champion pacer Author Dillon 1s being kept going in view of attempting record breaking next month His first appearance will be at the Greymouth T.C. summer meeting on January 2 and 5, when he will try to reduce the one mile and two mile records. On January 21 he will appear at the Wellington T.C. meeting in an endeavour to lower the grass record of 2mln 11 3-ssecs. held by EmmeUne. Later on lie will be taken across to Australia on a similar mission. It Is surprising the confidence some voung fellows hare in their prowess in the saddle. Down the line one evening this week the writer was amused to see a local barber enter a circus ring, and endeavour to sit bareback a wild-eyed and tricky donkey. A close clipped mane' and French-chalked back made the task a formidable one, and at the second buck the barber was neatly deposited in the lap of a lady spectator Wither 'was much damaged, but the lady's best boy had two of his fingers broken I Concerning Movement's victory in the Tirl Hurdles at Takapuna a northern scribe waxes enthusiastic over her performance. She made every post a winning one, dlsnlaylng great dash in her fencing, and although hard pressed by the light-wolght Marconi the whole way up the straight, hung to her task gamely, and duly landed the stake. H. Gray opened his winning account at Takapuna by scoring on Slmonldes (twice) and on Madam Blstorl. Ho Is giving his rivals it big start now, as A. Reed and L. G. Morris have each ridden 20 winners, and H. Young 18%, R. Reed 'IT, and. 0. Young IT. are also going well for their early stage of the season. Hetaua'will be an absentee from the holiday meetings, having cut one of his front tendons so badly that several stitches had to bo put In the injured member. Tills mishap came nt a bad time, as the Son of Demosthenes was just at the top of his form. Admyra was heavily supported In Wanganul for the race she won on the first day at Pending, but on the second day no word was received In her home town as to her owner's Intentions, and being engaged In two events, punters hung off. and forltma'elv missed dropping a few shillings in the pound when she followed! Esthmia. home in the York Stakes.

Trainer R. Johnson returned from Australia on Monday, and proceeded to Masterton to pick up a couple of horses which he will add to his New Plymouth team. Bewl Poto, who broke down on tho other side, was very lame when taken off the train here, and Dick Johnson will be fortunate if he can patch the black follow up again for racing. The Wanganut Boxing Association appears to be the highest bidder for a Clabhy-TJren match, and it is on the cards that a stake of £4OO, and £25 expenses to each boxer will be speedily forthcoming. Such n contest would nttract fight fans from all parts of the Dominion, and would be tho greatest fistic exhibition ever staged in New Zealand. "Moturoa" wouldn't be the only Taranakl-lte who would crawl nn his hands and knees over broken bottle's to witness the clash. Taranakl weights appear' to have been carefully worked out by Mr. Bert Coyle, and should bring In good acceptances. In the Christmas Hnjidlcap Depredation is asked to give Alteration a pound, which may be riuht on recent form, but Alteration is a hoTse that is more capable of improvement. Marqueteitr, who has disappointed his owner on several pcoaslons, showed Improved form at PelMlng, »nd If he goes on the right way should keep the top-weights busy on December 26th. Toe Tere 13 treated as a light of other days, which W probably correct. Sea Sprite's recent failures are hard to understand. At Wanpannl: she won like a champion, but shefound the- company too rich for her taste ,at Rrecarton: i However, tho spell may see her at New Plymouth, and although still to be taken on trust for a mile and a nuarter, she has the advantage of a nice, handy weight, 710. Paddlngton Green is nicely nlaced with 78, but one cannot Tftce against bad luck Of the lightweights. Carmel Arch has the best pretensions to getting tho distance, and when the day come 9 the Issue may lie between, Marqucteur. Alteration, and Carmel Arch. Slmonldes' consistent form has earned him top-weight In the Flying Handicap, but those who- saw Esthonla romp home at 'iWSWw wUI wobibly give Its: utfttwc* «,<

an advantage of 131b. Madam Ristori has got rather more 'than her deserts. Camel Arch is also well up in tho weights, and Esthonia should easily give hlra 61bs. Those lower down may not be in the same class, though Hallow reads well with 7.!). Esthonla and Slmonides mav be favorites with the early backers. Egmont Park (8.4) appears to stand out in the Stewards' Handicap, and with Passin' Through (7.8) should keep the other busy. Khartoum and To Toa aro nicely handicapped in the Rahotu Hurdles, and Vance and Kareao in the Borough Handicap. Simon, Self Alliance and Erin's Isle lead well In the Lepperton Welter, and tho first-named may prove the best weight carrier. On tho whole the weights aro equitably framed, and should result in interesting racing and close finishes. Thero was nothing remarkable about the

Methven annual meeting on Thursday, though uibstantially increased totallsator returns were In running with the present boom in racing. Tho Cup fell to MacDurT, who ran well through the C..1.C. Metropolitan meeting, and whose finishing suggested that he would be more at home over a longer course. List year. Sir George Clifford sent Adjutant up to do the trick, but a nag named Bandy knocked the Chokeboro crack—er, bandy 1 Belgian King, who very naturally headed Yice-Itegal in the Trial' Plate, and then came out and won the Vlewmont Handicap, is a flve-year-old gelding by Cronstadt—Pensive, whoso four starts last season resulted In nothing more startling than % second at Ashburton. Warforra (Nautlform —Lady Warner), who made greatest haste nome In the Mount Harding Welter, showed promising form in the spring of last season, put has since drifted back to mediocre. The beautifully bred Thestlus (Martian—Lady Lillian) recorded ft first and a dead-heat for first, and incidentally beat .1 fair sprinter In Moorabbe, who has won many heats. Big fields were seen out in the trotting events, and first favorites plodded home in front In each. Altogether, first favorites returned three first and two second dividends, so the day must have been an enjoyable ono for the bulk of tho public.

Overhead a conversation between two Maoris at Feildlng pn Monday. They wore trying to pick the big hurdles. "Gang Awa', he te terra," said one. "Do you think he can done It?" asked the other. "Oh, I think he can done It, sure 'nough," said tho first speaker. After the race the pair set up «. Joyous haka, after which they shook hands solemnlv, chorusing -the while, "I tole you ho could done it I" and retired to the tote to collect. THE TOTALISATOR. NEW SOUTIf WALES PKOPOSAL. A cablo message from Sydney states that a Bill has reached its final stase In Parliament, Increasing tho amount which the country clubs can retain of their totalisator receipts from three to five per cent. The subject was referred to in the Sydney Keferee of Novefoier 19, as follows: In the New South Wales Legislative Assembly last week a Bill was introduced for the purpose of Incre'alng the totalisator percentage from three to flvo per cent, in the case of the Hawkosbury Racing Club and all non-pro-prietary clubs situated beyond slily-flve miles from the General Post Office, Sydney, and forty miles from the Newcastle principal post office. Sir George Puller was responsible for the Bill, and said It was the .outcome of representations from country clubs, which had not been able to make a success of the totalisator at. tho three per cent, allowed. The Bill also gives tho Minister In control of tho matter power to fix the location of tho site of the machine, which has hitherto not always been placed In the most convenient position for patrons of tho racecourse. The amendments to the Totalisator Bill Include the definition of "racing club," so as to take in trustees, in order that they could be callecj upon to instal tho machine, also for uniform procedure, in connection with tho payment oF dividends As matters stand, horse, pony, and trotting clubs require a different number of starters for the payment of first, second, and third dividends. Sir George added that all the rules governing the working of tho totalisator would become coming into operation, ho submitted to the Governor for his approval. Mr. Dooley, in discussing the proposals, admitted they were mostly necessary, but thought that the working of the totalisator was on a wrong basis. Tho Government should take completo control of the matter, and Instal the totalisator wherever It liked. As the Government had legalised betting, and compelled racing clubs to use the totalisator, it should go the wholo way and get evory penny of revenue It could by this means. Mr. Dooley also expressed the opinion that the sums charged by all clubs for bookmakers were extnrt.onate Of that the layers may be better judges than he, m. at Bandwlck, at any rate, many individuals not licensed would possibly be satisfied if they were afforded tho opportunity of paying the fees Mr. Dooley regards as too stiff.

Mr. Lang did not think there was any necessity for amending the definition of the !I or . d ., cl li b '" b,,t Slr Geor B° Mw replied hat the Government was acting on iho oplnon of the Crown law authority, which advised that the existing definition could not bo read to include "trustees." Mr. Lang saw In the amendment a more to enable ,the Australian Jockey Club to take over other racecourses and their fixtures, but was seemingly somewhat confused as to whether it was the Government or the Australian .lockej l Club that contemplated taking over racecourses also a3 fo «he identity of the courses concerned. The Bill passed through committee without amendment, and when Its provisions como into operation—as they duly will—the country clubs will have more reason than in the past to encourage totallsator speculation. There was certainly nothing In k for them at 3 per cent' and it will not bo a gold mine for them even now, but an increase of 2 per cent will in some cases turn actual loss in the past 'into profit in the future. "

JOCKEYS' BOXING CHAMPIOXSHir. j Tho following are the results of the jockeys' I boxing championship held recently:-- ' ' iin, D< SF ks « (Bst 81b -' y - h - H «R«ty (»st uib).—The first round was characterised bv a good deal of clinching. Hagerty forced the pace, but Douglas saved a lot of punishment by ducking. Tho second round was similar to the first, being spoiled to an extent by too much clinching. Hagerty, however, was able to put In some staggering facial blows between times that gave his ooponont something to .think about. Tho third rouno. had not been long in progress whm Hegartv landed a hard blow on Douglas' face, following it up with, another equally woll delivered. Douglas was "groggy" and went down, just getting up at'"nine." Hagerty had an easy SWalls (Bst Sib) v. p. Miirfitt (Sst 71b) Murfltt was no match for Walls, who knocked him all round the ring. He hll him just when and where lie liked, and floored him twice. The bout was so one-sided that the referee stopped it. dim J * a "» all ' 7st »%lb> r. T. Mussen (7st 911)).—There was very little between these competitors In the first round, which was fought just a trifle too cautiously. Marshall landed a nasty, blow that caused Mussen's nose ,to bleed. In the second round Marshall showed to tho greater advantage, and in the third he managed to place some good punches ?™,^ U9 i* ei }?. f f ce - Althou S" the latter fought pluckily, it was easy to agree with the referees decision in awarding tlus bout to Marshall.

In the semi-final, Walls had another easv win against. Marshall, whose movements were altogether too slow to give him a clianco with such an aggressive and hustling boter as his opponent. Marshall was soon at his mercy and to prevent his being unnecessarily punished tho bout was stopped. The final, between Hagerty and Walls, proTided a good exhibition. After tlie opening exchanges, Walls placed a good left on Ha»erty's face. Hagerty responding with somo good returns that move than equalled matters Hagerty started the second round very ,v----thero the matter stands. No sportsman can other left from Walls struck Ilagerty's rose which commenced m bleed. A moment lator,' Walls was also bleeding at tho nose. In the third round Walls placed some heavv body punches and Die spectators were treated to «ilf , R . Wi, " s found » ia opponent a different type of boxer from Murfltt and Marshall, and had occasion to use all his science and skill. Hagerty, It is understood, v^wS.™! 1 "' 3 , hls , 1,,,, mb in a P™ l °™ "out Nevertheless, he boxed well. Ths decision' \z Vf as a p ° lml " r one ' Went t0 Walls ~

THE LIQUOR FIGHT.

Tlii* scribe's views on the above never-eml-ng struggle are fairly well known. In fart ho sentiments expressed in this column fouritert w TS Bff l " avc bem Bcriodlpally rclteriig the sportsman's antipathy to the Prohibition movement. Prohibition 'may to » Rood n mftr'T I ''!'!, 00 , Ci!rtain l>- la-but the champions of. Prohibition display such fierce ln-ate-mliKlcd individuals can do nothing but view with grave fears and misglvngs. The average E™» ls by feelings of faime^ «on, ,nt^ d reSPeCt for anotll<; '" s ™»<'l<Mons, and the use (or abuse) of voting power feinalo voters, and, above all, the Hiring „t paid o™<°» £™ fJ? mDlon senso ' has »«™iated the people sympathy of all truly tolerant Prohibition carried, ana Uieir goal reached toSflZm? '" Wl ! at d "' ectlou ,he seB »S n rtv »™m ener^ es of U,is well organised lII L , Spend lts fol,ces - Would It be against racing and all legitimate sports? Just iTnXSyti,? 9 i> StS ,° f lmora AlblttaSti at present filling' the legislature, and what are lit? "nwl°?. raCi " B l Are lhe y favorable to » D i™!nl" the office boy. Ko, Prohibition la not the soimioa W tfaa

problem. It is better control of the liquor traffic—stricter surveillance of topers, and better grog. State control offers little hope for betterment or reform, as the State's management of other adopted business goes to prove. And there the matter Btands. No sportsman can be an extremist, tolerance being his watchword. They Bay that the looker-on seos most of tho game, and while tho various factions are tearing themselves to pieces in the nrena It is the calm, dispassionate person who can weigh both arguments thoroughly, and form an unbiased opinion. It was said of Plato, Who, when asked how he acquired so much wisdom, replied that he had consumed more oil in the lamp than win© in the cup, hut even Plato was a tolerant man.