SPORTING NOTES.

Clutha Leader, Volume XL, Issue 45, 5 December 1913, Page 6

SPORTING NOTES.

By Vladimir.

.The Forbiiry Park Trotting Club's spring meeting was commenced ill fine weather, but unfortunately before the racing had proceeded' very far heavy rain set jn, and as a consequence the track, whieh had been Heavy owing;to recent rains, was soon saturated and the going was completely spoilt, for the day, it being a. veritable mud pond. The at? tendance/which had promised to be a record one, soon began to melt away, with the result that the totalisator showed a considerable.falling off as compared with the corresponding day of last year.

Record breaking on such a track was completely out of the question, and Enime]ine,-who was looking in the pink of condition, did not take part in any of the races. The absence of Denver Huon was also a disappointment to the sporting fraternity present. The Australian champion struck himself whilst working, with the result that he had an enlarged knee and was unable t(fe take any part in the proceedings. The racing throughout the afternoon was of an interesting nature considering the condition of the track, and although there were no close finishes to try the qualities of the judge (Mr T. Leodham, who was making his first appearance in the box since his appointment), the trotting was decidedly above the average.

Proceedings commeueed with the Amateur Handicap, a record field of 27 competing, the winner turning up in Tika, who was always iu ,a handy position throughout, and came very fast in the straight to win by three lengths from Master Ebony, with Massey a long way off third. Another largo field took part in the Progressive Handicap, and a very hot favourite in Nordlca easily accounted for this event, with Scotch Mist and La Paloma in the other places. The Stewards' Handicap furnished a splendid tussle, and Snowdrift, with Pringle in the saddle, beat the favourite (Harold Junior), with Claribel a good third. The winner was second choice ou the machine.

The President's Handicap, the chief event of the afternoon, attracted a field of nine first-class performers, and Maelstrom, who was a decided favourite, won by four lengths from Piecework and School Girl in that order.

Rural, who won the Caversham Handicap, beating Fraukton and Belette, paid the biggest dividend of the meeting, the last-named being favourite, with Frank-

ton a good second choice. Another good dividend was paid in the Dominion Handicap, when Lady Edna, who was on scratch, beat Top Note and Mahomet, Milda, the favourite, being fourth. The Dash Handicap saw the poorest field of the day competing, only Bell Metal, Truth and Wilkin taking part, and they finished in that order, the winner having the softest of snaps in this race. Proceedings were brought to a close with the St. Kilda Handicap, and a really fine finish saw Regina Belle beat Pinewood by two lengths, who in turn

just defeated Hamapuku. The winner had gone to the post earlier in the/day for the Stewards' Handicap, but her rider (Logan), anticipating his bell, was called off and took no part in that race. There was a decided improvement in the weather for the concluding day of the meeting, and the large attendance taxed the accommodation at Forbury to the utmost; in fact, so dense was the crowd around the stands that it was with difliculty that a good view of the racing was obtained. The track dried up wonderfully considering the amount of rain that had fallen overnight, and although record-breaking was out of the question, some of the times registered during the afternoon were exceptionally good considering the going. The Second Amateur Handicap was a poor race, the limit horses failing to benefit by their handicaps, and the scratch horse, Eros, had the result in safe keeping before half-a-mile had been travelled. Lily F. and Nona Dillon fought out a good finish for second honours, the former just managing to gain the verdict. The Advance Handicap proved a good thing for Law Chimes, who beat George it. .luirr. very easily, with the wellbacked Frankton third. The winner paid a very nice price for such a good thing as it proved. . The Suburban Handicap was a close thing between Be'l B. and Trugela, both horses finishing on a break. The judge placed%B|]l.B. first by a head, but many present-fSfought it a win for Trugela. Rose Palm was a poor third.

- The Forbury; Cup was a good betting race, and it was unfortunate that School

Girl, who was a very decided favourite, was called starting before her 'bell." Country Belle, the winner, was in front practicalJy all the way, the only one to threaten trouble being Gianella, who finished within a length of the winner. Eavenschikl gaining third honours. Regina Belle put down a hot favourite in Hinemoa in the St. Clair Handicap, with the scratch mare, Lady Edna, who put in a very fast run during the last three furlongs, in third place. The Victoria Handicap saw another warm favourite in Bellflower suffer defeat from Tika, who, ridden very judiciously, came right away in the straight to win by six lengths, King V., who looked like a winner for most of the journey, only gaining third place. The Electric Handicap was a somewhat disappointing race, as only School Girl and Emmeline had any say in the finish, and the former, who was favourite, kept the lead all the way, Bell Metal being a poor third. The recovery handicap, which terminated the day's sport, was a very spirited betting event, the field of six being all well supported. Franz Joseph was first choice, but his hopples broke when he looked to have a good chance. Pincwood led from the start and lasted long enough to win from Regina Bello, Truth a poor third.

Nominations for the events in connection with the Gors Trotting Clu.b'i

meeting on Boxing Day close to-morrow (Saturday).. 1 Nominations for the Southland Racing Club's summer meeting dose to-night.at nine o'clock.

• The Dunedin Jockey Club has appointed Mr R. H. Aldworth, of Silverhope, Bangitikei,: as judge at its summer Jnoeting. If■ he gives satisfaction at tins meeting his appointment will probably be permanent.