SPORTING.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9671, 20 December 1909, Page 5

SPORTING.

TURF NOTES. (By "Zetland.") The Wairarapa Racing Clubtiair decided to issue, instructions to its starter to the effect that he is not t» leave his stand for the purpose of getting horses into line. This is a decided step in the right direction, and much valuable time in despatching the fields should now be saved. The getting down from time to time, to stra;ghten up erratic horses has long been a very weak point in start-' mg, inasmuch as when the horses are brought into line the starter is not in his proper position to pull tbe starting lever The services of an assistant may now be required, but in any case better satisfaction may now be assured. Exceptionally numerous nominations have been rectived for the Wellington Racing Club's summer meeting. The best performers in the Dominion are included in th» list, and the fixture bids fair to be one of the most successful yet held! at Trenthan*. Tumut/Full Kate, Mataarl and Splash t are to be taken; through to Palmerston to-tr.orrow to take part in tbe Manawatu meeting, which opens or* Thursday. The increased taxation to be levied by the Government on Racing-dabs will be followed in many cages by higher charges being made for admittance to race meetings. The matter came up for discussion at g» meeting of stewards of the Wairarapa Racing Club this week, and i* was decided prices of lawa tickets be increased to 10s for gentlemen and 5s for ladies. The exrtra taxation imposed by the Government, will fall on the public toagreafc extent, but in the case ofjthe smaller clubs which cannot raise admittance rates there will be difficulty in making up the loss incurred. Legislation is to be brought forward this week to abolish pony ancl galloway gracing. The Government appears to be in earnest on this question, consequently it would appear that the reign of pony racing will be of short <iurdtion. An amendment to the Gaming Act is also to be brought forward, but the vexed question of whether bookmakers are still to be allowed to ply their calling on racecourses may still remain unsettled. The Premier pieac.es to consider that the totalisator and bookmakers Work hand in hand, and meets the opposition to the latter by stating that members of the House will also hove the opportunity of voting for the abolishment of the machine. The debate on the question should be very interesting.

ELLERSLIE TRAINING, NOTES By Telegraph--Press Association. AUCKLAND. December 18 The weather was fine for tbe training operations at Ellerslie this m3ra~ ing. The balk of the work was done .< on the course proper outside the trestles Tenterhook, not bustled, nut four furlongs in 55 2-"sec. Wild West beat Hyperion at the.end of sir furlongs from a standing start in lmin 21 l-ssec. Sir Artegal, with the assistance of Havilah over tine last two, covered five fulongs in lmin's 3-ssec., Taskmaster and Kilwinning covered a mile and a -quarter in 2min 22 l-ssec, the former staying best and having a length's advantage at the finish. Armlet. Miss Mischief and Danube had light tasks on the tan. The latter ia suffering from a cold.. Waimanga and! Santa Rosa covered a round on the tan in qimin 52J 4-ssec, the former going best. Compass did halt-puce', work on the tan. Sir Prire and Roose-* velt galloped a mile and a half on the tan, the last round in 2mio 3,2- ' ssec. 'lhe latfer had the advantage at the finish. Sic Prize injured a leg, but the irjtiry is not considered serious. Advocate beat First Gun„ over a round on fie sand in 2min lsec Eiysian, who whs to go with them, refused to start. ' Full Sail easily beat Shaipsho lei'over six furlongs in Imti ISi ec, the fastest time of t*e mnrning. After br-akfiHt Cnnteuac tnovcd freely over a mile'; n lmin 48 tf-sst:c. Downfall and Prophet covered arouid in 2min ssec, the milu taking lmin 49 l-s.sec. Prophet was of no use to Downfall, but bolttd arother round, and then tried to get through a gate, throwing the rider (Creamer), who had a lucky escape, his t»"ly injuries beins: bruises t>j the back. Ain'bals, spurted four furlongs in 50 3-ssec. and War Song a similar journey in 52sec. Tamainupo easily beas Zinnia over six furlongs on the sand in lmin 18 4-sacc. Large numbers of others were also exercised.