TURF NOTES.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 3007, 2 October 1908, Page 5

TURF NOTES.

(By "Zetland.") At the annual meeting of members of the Wellington Racing Club this week, the question of stipendiary stewards was brought up. In the course of discussion, one of the leading slevards of the CluD said he thought they were absolutely necessary now that bookmakers had been licensed by the Government to bet on racecourses. It is understood that the question will corpe up in earnest at the next Racing Conference. Hitherto.the Conference has shelved the subject, not because there is any good and valid reason stipendiary stewards should not occupy a leading place in racing management, buc principally on account of many officials Df leading Clubs holding the idea that they are themselves fully competent to deal with the running of the horses performing at their particular gatherings. Notwithstanding this, the time is not far dis r tant when the appointment of stipendiary stewards must become an accomplished fact. Until this is so, racing will not be conducted on lines conducive to the best interests of the sport, fop / although it will be admitted that a large number of clubs have offic'als able to detect inconsistent running and foul riding, it is quite another matter for them to have the courage of their convictions, and at all times take in hand, in a decisive.maimer, <-very case that calls for attention during a meeting. On the other hand, stipendiary stewards would have to deal withXevery case without fear or favour, artd this new order of things would he followed by much inore consistent racing. '

The six best supported candid itp° for the New Zealand Cup are Frisco, Master Delaval, Ringdove, Man it:-., Signor and Bobrikoff. Others that are generally considered to beNworthy of support am Tangimoana, Uhlando, Stratagem, Downfall, Formative, Bollin, liptoe ami Glenullin. Although there are only five weeks to the date of the race, it is acknowledged to be a very open one. The Hawke's Bay and Wellington meetings may tend Ho throjv further light on the chances of a number of the entrants. So far this season good form has ueen shown by Master Delaval Frisco, Tiptoe, Probable, Glenullin, and Bollin, and as these only comprise one-sevtnth of the candidates, the public have not much of a line to go upon relative to the prospects of ihe majority of the horses enraged in the big race. ! Uenuku, St. Aidan, Master Delava', Moral, Mahuta. Grand Slam, Downfall, King- Post and Master Roult may be racing at Hastings next week, and at Trentham later in the month most of those- 1 imed and Zimmerman, Bobrikoff, Seaman, Apa, Moloch and Riflemaid will contest various events previous to being shipped to Ricearton.

The weights or the Wellington meeting are out early, and the principal events bear evidence of careful study on the part of the handicapper. In the Wellington Handicap, of„ one mile and a quarter, there are no less than twelve New Zealand Cup candidate?, and should the majority start at Trentham great interest will be evinced in the running of the leading performers. Taking the New Zealand Cup handicap as a basis, Zimmer man is well treated with 9st 61b, this bking three pounds less than in the big event, while eight are asked to carry from four to eleven pounds more over the shorter distance at Trentham. Others that appear to be nicely treated are California 9st 21b, Wailethe "st 101b, and San Julie 7st 41b. The Tauherenikau-trained Ivlerrivonia is badly treated in the" Spring Hack Handicap with 7st 81b. So far she lias not shown anything startling on the training tracks;, and as she has not yet faced a starter it is difficult to explain why she should be asked to give weight to Wimmera, who run second in the Maiden at Marlon, and Conc ; who showed a lot of speed at Wanganui. The three are by Merriwee, and Merrivonia is certainly not better bred than the pair that should at least show improvement as the result of racing in public.