Sporting News

Feilding Star, Volume VI, Issue 83, 23 December 1884, Page 2

Sporting News

Notes by Pjrocyon. The summer racing campaign on this coast commences at Palmerston on Boxing Day, under rather unfavorable circumstances. The prospect of small fields, bad weather, and more than usually low purses, will probably result j in small attendances and smaller receipts. Both the Palmerston and Kangitikei Clubs are charging fees that are far too heavy a tax upon owners, and the result is their nominations and acceptances are unusually small. Foxton on the other hand has been moderate and secured capital entries for all their events'. The ball will be set rolling next Friday with the Hurdle Race, for which I expect to see six go to the post, and of these it will be hard to "W^ " spot" the winner, the handicap being one of Mr Higgie's best efforts. None of the horses can be said to be "out of it," and nearly all of them have their friends. On Wanganui running Scrutineer should hold most of those below him pretty safe, but I do not think he will beat either Skylark or Totara, both of them being in good form, and having the right sort of me"n up. I expect to see a splendid race, with the following horses filling the situations — Totara 1, Skylark 2, Scrutineer 3. For the Maiden Plate they will all go to the post, most probably, and I expect either Stiletto or Aoteroa will furnish the winner, the former for choice. So little is known of any of the District Maiden horses that I shall not risk an opinion, but hear that Reform will be served up warm. The Handicap will probably see all the acceptors at the post, and a very interesting race amongst the four — the top weight, Speculation, I do not like, as Bst lOlbs is probably more than she can master over one and three-quarter miles — Armourer Bst 4lbs reads better, he being able to go all the way with that weight up. Ringleader and Last Chance are both much fancied, but the forrneris too flighty a customer for meto pinmuchfaithto. ThePaintermarehas undoubtedly a great show, and will I think stretch Armourer's neck, but I shall tip — Armourer 1, Last Chance 2. For the Flying there is nothing better engaged, if fit, than Laurel, who should win — if Speculation goes for the big money — with Parvenu and Martha nearest. I think Laurel 1, , Parvenu 2, Martha 3, will fill the , places. . Bayard will only start in the Palmerston Plate, and though I don't think him capable of conceding 71bs to Armourer over the distance, ho should be very handy at the business end, as he will be fresh whilst the others will have probably had enough. . of the heavy going by that. The i finish should be between — Bayard 1, I Armourer 2, Trickster 3. It is very unfortunate for the Rangi- ■ tikei Club that they have received such. 1 poor entries for their hurdle races. ' One might have looked with confidence | for a larger number than three for each event in what Rangitikei folks are proud to call the "home of the jumper." As the acceptances have reduced the field to two, and these two meet at Palmerston, there is a great chance of there being no hurdle race 1 at all at Bulk — an event which would | do away with much of the interest of the meeting. I shall reserve my selections for these races until after Palmerston, the results of which will probably throw more light on die question of " What's going to win ?**