SPORTING.

Digger (Invercargill RSA), Issue 6, 23 April 1920, Page 7

SPORTING.

My old friend "Sir Modred" hammered away at the local club until just to keep L:m quiet they gave the local trainers a sand roll. The horses trained on our tracks are much indebted to "Sir Modred," a^id if their trainers or owners have not thanked him, the enjoymenthehas seen ir.any horses get out of the roll has repaid him for all his paragraphs. Now my friend is advoeafing a winter track, and the rain this week has reminded many of us that our winter is near. A winter track is sadly needed, and, as he says, the town would benefit if our conservative club could be persuaded. Just a -tip to my Digger friends. If any of them want a bed in Dunedin during Winter Show week should get in early. I had to write to about six pubs before I fcund oue that would let me in, and I didn't let on I'd worn the uniform either, It was a nice little race game they had on at the port last week. Gunrest and Glensponse were good favourites, and they each brought in a bit of cash at the bazaar, When we went off to fight the Empire's cause wages were only about half what' they are now, and yet they tell one that a jockey doesn't get any more now for riding in a race than he did ten years ago. Wasn't it high time they formed aUnion. Fancy any unionist being satisfied now-a-d; ys with the wages that were going even five years ago, and risking his life as well! I understand there are occasional presents when a jockey w-ins, in some cases there are also presents when he loses. . Are they still on the same old scale too IF Hogan takes Silverspire up for the steeplechase act to be put on for Royal Highness' benefit at Riccarton next month a good deal of Southland money will follow his chances round the fences. If McChesney should manage to win, he will be able to put "under Royal patronage" cn his paste-board. "Mr J. G. Ermslie" has consented to send Burrangong up to Riccarton for the Prince' benefit. He's sure to want to see ihe Wyndham and Riverton Cup winner 'in action. And he might see him win too' A northern visitor, so says "Sir Modrad," has ben telling how well the recent Gore meeting was managed. "The best in the South Island." That is good for the Gore Club, and perhaps the members will appreciate the up-to-dateness of Frank Young, the secretary. Frank learned Ks business from the inside of the totehouse, and though only new in the role of secretary he can teach all the others in Southland a good few points at the game. Secretary Stewart, of the Wyndham Club is very keen to bring about a conference of the local clubs before next seaso.i to consider a whole host of matters. Cute fellow, George! I wonder what scheme he has now to extract a bit more of the good old public's monfy for his club. It looks as if the Jockeys' Unfon will be making things merry at the next meeting of the Racing Conference. The Wellington Winter Meeting will be on at the same time. George Hunter had a quiet sale on Saturday morning. The horses were shown in splendid condition, and they only want to be half as god as they looked to be good investments. One ex-trainer who has been rabbiting lately is very aggrieved that tBe bottom has fallen out of the skin trade. He intends coming back to the fold again — that is, of course, if the heads will admit him. The electric tote at the recent Trentham meeting appears to have worked satisfactorily. What about Bill James putting in one on the local course ! When talking to Hogan the other day he was complaining that the local tracks were hard.> I saw him in town on Monday, and if the tracks were as wet as he w&s he would now have no cause to complain. According to a contemporary President Hazlett intends sending his thrce fashionably bred fillies up to old Stewart Waddell to train in th8 North Island. What's wi ong with Bill Gardiner. Or is it that the

local tracks are'nt good enough for such aristocrats? Erney Howorth is hobbling about on a couple of sticks again. It will be a little while yet before he can hopple up a pacer aiid drive him round the local tracks again. If all reports are true the light barness sport hasn't cost this ivory merchant much. Dave Morton has bought Klllowen. The last good one he raced also had a name heginning with K. A good sport like Dave deserves to have a~good one, and in Killowen he has every promise of a top notcher. • So Bill Stone intends sending his team, Eleus, Primum and Silver Peak, and, I nearly forgot, Alex Mclvor on grand tour They will play at Ashburton, Timaru, to Royal ty at Riccarton, Oamaru and Wingatui before returning home. Each neddy will require to catch a stake to pay expenses. Good luck to you, Bill.