SPORTING.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10039, 13 July 1910, Page 6

SPORTING.

RACING. TURF NOTES. (By Zetland). The Wellington Winter meeting opens on Saturday, and so far there are very few defections from the lengthy list of acceptances. Loch Fyne and Kremlin, having failed to stand their preparations, and Oxton ara reported to be likely non-atarters. The 'Parliamentary Handicap, of one mile, to be ran at Trentham on Saturday, promises to be a decidedly interesating event. The principle horses engaged are doing excellent work, the gallops shown by Penatep, ualifornia, North East, Sir Frisco, Ngapuka, Truganini, and Ambrosian proving them to be very well. Sir Frisco is still the ruling favourite, and his party are sure to bp sanguine of success, as the wet weather of late has had the effect of making the racing track to his liking. Of the nineteen accepted for in the. Winter Hurdles it is expected that at least fourteen will face the starting barrier, and with such a big field the result will be difficult to prophecy. Audax, Paisano, Timia, Hydrant, and Mahuta will have plenty of support, but horses like Continance, Waitapu and Feu-de-joie among the lighter weights may have to be reckoned with in heavy

going. According to the great authority, John Porter, one reason why the late King Edward found such real enjoyment in horse racing and the breeding of blood stock was because he was a first rate judge of horses. John Porter said that when the late Baron Hirscb purchased the yearling La Fleche for the then record price cf 5,500g5. it was solely on the judgment of his friend the then Prince of Walts. Neither Lord Marcus Beresf ;rd nor Porter would have felt justified in advising the baron to bid so high, but the magnificent career of the filly, who won £31,153 in stake money, bore testimony to the King's judgment, Audax is the present favourite for the Grand National Steeplechase, in which he will have to carry list 133b, or 151b more than when he ran third in the Great Northern Steeplechase. Red McGregor, winner of the latter, is allotted list 51b, and Audax will meet him on 31b better terms than at Auckland. Unless, however, ia all that his admirers consider him, he will find difficulty -in giving horses like Bullwortb, Le Beau, Sir Lethf, King Hippo, and Full Cry, as mucti as from 191b3 to 321bs in weight over such a long journey as three and a half miles. The New Zealand Racing Conference opens its annual meeting in Wellington to-morrow. The principle item that will come up for discussion is that of the appointment of Stipendiary Stewards. The subject is sure to be well, debated un "all points, and as the Committee ap-' pointed last year to draw up rules and regulations to govern the appointments, if made, have done their work very efficiently, there is reason to believe that the long delayed action of the Conference will now be settled by a decision to undertake what is generally thought to be a necessary reform. News from Hastings is to the effect that Wimmera has been going very sore in his work on the tracks. Nero, who was reported to be anunlikely starter at Trentham, on account of going lame, has fully recovered and is galloping and jumping especially well at present. Most of the prominent horsemen have accepted mounts in the Parliar mentary Handicap at the Wellington meeting, among the probable starters for which are —California, J. Griffiths; North East, W. Yong; Sir Frisco, R. Hatch; Tiptoe, S. Reid; Ngapaka.M. Ryan; Bollin, F. D. Jones; Truganini, W. Ryan; Tawahaki, E. Lowe; Ambrosian, A. Oliver; Gold Battery, H. bray; and St. Felix, C. Jenkins.