SPORTING.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10156, 30 December 1910, Page 3

SPORTING.

TURF NOTES. (By "Zetland.") One of £'-" most popular racing institutions in tlie Dominion is the Ashlmrst Club, and the tremendous crowd that assembled at the course on Wednesday was evidence of the fact. Tho lawn, saddling paddock, and outside division were practically crowded with enthusiastic members of tho racing public, and the utmost good spirit provr...od throughout. The secretary, Mr Trass, and the Stewards of tho Club managed to find time to extend tne privileges of the Club to the owners, trainers, and many outside visitors, who were loud in their praise of the treatment accorded. The racing programme provided a really good day's »port, | and straight racing was a distinct feature of the occasion. Apparently the Club is alive to the importance of exercising direct supervision over the running, for officials were located in the "look out" stand at the cen- j tre of the property, enabling them to watch the racing at every point '■ of the track. The stakes given for eight events amounted to no less i a sum than £IOOO, but notwithstand- I ing this the Club will come out with a profit over the meeting. Thirteen bookmakers plied their calling on the lawn, while about half-a-dozen pencillers catered for the outside public. The totalisators put through £8237, being £227 more than last year. The substantial patronage accorded the Club should warrant it extending it grandstand accommodation, and doubtless this will be attended to in due course. Tho Wairarapa' Racing Club's meeting opens on Monday, and is sure to be a successful gathering. Seventy-three acceptances 'have been received for seven events, and there should be very few defections from the list. On account of recent victories penalties have been incurred by Full Rate, First Battery, San Lass, Rill, Bronze, and Bracken. The course is in splendid order, and the racing promises to be decidedly interesting. The Wairarapa Cup contest should be very strenuously fought out, and backers will find it difficult to select the winner from the most fancied candidates, which at present are Sandstream, Merrie Zealand, Gunboat, Merrie Frank, and First Battery. As the sting will be out, of the ground the first named should be capable of running a good race. Gunboat is an unknown quantity in North Island racing, but Merrie Frank ran a really good race in the Ashlmrst Cup this week, finishing a good third. First Consul, 7st 31b, should find both the weight and the distance to his liking. Sandstream raced at Awapuni and Ashlmrst with very little dash, but has time to freshen up by Monday. The appearance of Full Rate at the meeting will in itself be an attraction, for the Officer gelding has a splendid record so far this season. As he will have to carry the welter weight or lOst 121b, there should be plenty of support for Sea Queen Sst 31 u, and Bally Shannon Bst. All the. events are still of an open character as regards the chances of many candidates, and this of course will add zest to the sport.