SPORTING NOTES.

Levin Daily Chronicle, 11 October 1917, Page 4

SPORTING NOTES.

The New Zealand Cup acceptances are very good and it is remarkable the number of horses under 8 stone who have accepted. Nearly all the defections have come from the top weights. The majority of the horses competing in the big events at Masterton and Dunedin this week are engaged in tho race and anti-post backers will have a good line to go on from the results of these races. There is plenty of racing this next few weeks —Masterton on October 11th and 12th; Dunedin, October 12th and 13th; Wellington, October 20th and 22nd; North Canterbury, October 22nd; Waverly-Waitotara, October 22nd; October 22nd and 23rd; and Poverty Bay, October 25th and 20th. "Motorua," the sporting writer for the "'Taranaki Daily News," has the following to sav in connection with the "Referee's" attack on the Taranaki Racing Club and Hector Gray:—The sporting press of the Dominion almost generally welcomed the return of Hector Gray to the ranks of licensed jockeys, and the enthusiastic reception accorded the Dominion's most capable horseman at Otaki left little doubt- in the minds of the vast majority of sporting folk that the action _of tlio Taranaki Jockey Club in reinstating Gray met. with practically universal approval. However, the Christchuich "Referee," as mentioned last week, chose to take tho other side, and, ignoring public opinion, made a trenchant attack on both the Taranaki Club and Gray. Not content with: this, the "Referee" now has the nerve to question the validity of the club's fiction. This is about the warmest thirtg ever put on a competent and experienced set of racing officials, and the latter resent tho "Referee's" effrontery very much. The main-in-tlie-street passes the thing as beneath contempt. The "Referee" is on the losing side this time, and it should be sportsmanlike enough to admit that it has been barking up the wrong tree. Red Pennant, winner of the Sydney Handicap at Randwick on Wednesday last, is a gelding by All Black -Red Plume, and therefore full brother to Bunting. Rod Pennant also carries the colours of the well-known New Zealand — beg pardon, Australian sportsman, Mr E. J. Watt. A full sister to Teka, a full brother to Tndigo. and a full brother to Sleight-of-Hand. have made their appearance at Mr G. Hunter's. Porangnhau, this ?sflson. Bliss, which visited Demost'i»nes last season, was unfruitful and she has this season visited another imported horse, Crown Imperial. Other mare mated with Crown Imperial are Reformilist, Mungista, Tattle, Eland, Rouble and Sicily. Bliss is represented by a nice yearling by Mystification, and a yearling full brother to Indigo, looks like making good when the time comes.

Horses by the imported Kilbronev had a day out at Kurow on Thursday. WiJlallu, Killard and Kilrea each won races. Killalu and Kilrea are full sisters, both being out of Arac-to-Uru. who is not unknown in the North Island.

By following up his victory in the A..T.C. Derby by silencing a field of all ages in the Craven Plate. Biplane must be accounted to have added lustre to his blue riband triumph. The time recorded in the mile and a-quaiter weight-for-age race (2m s. is) establishes beyond a doubt that there was no loitering on the road, and, as the New

Zealand-owned colt is credited with taking the lead at the end of two furlongs and eventually romped home in front of the opposition, there would

appear very good reason to award him a place with the most noteworthy gallopers that have graced the Australasian turf. Biplane is not further engaged at the A.J.C. meeting, and much curiosity will be evinced as to the event that will be selected for Biplane to make a reappearance. The son of Comedy King iigures in the Cauliield Cup, which race comes up for decision on the 20th inst, and with the handy impost of 7st 71b opposite his name it must be said that there is a strong encouragement for Mr Greenwood to give his colt an opportunity to distinguish himself in that race. It is quite possible, however, that the Canterbury sportsman may be more concerned in regard to Biplane's engagement in the V.R.C. Derby and that the brown colt will not make a reentry on the scene until the blue riband claims attention at Flcmington on the first Saturday in November.

Masterton Races are tho chief attraction in these parts this week. The club have received no less than .165 acceptances for the first day's races, those accepting .being the best class of horse that has yet accepted at a Masterton meeting. Seventeen New Zealand Cup candidates will be competing on the first day, and their running will bo a guide for the big event. The following New Zealand Cup candidates have accepted in the Masterton Cup of 11 miles: —Multiply, Egypt, Client, Multifual, Teka, Cleft, Trials, Orleans, Mascot and Midnight Star; those starting in minor events being: Bjorneborg, Mcnelaus, Black All, Sir Solo, Johnny Walker, Kcmua and Dusky Eve. There are also a number of Stow r ards' Handicap horses engaged at the meeting.

The quality and number of acceptances at Masterton outshine any previous meeting, and in the two short races of 5 furlongs, 129 and 30 runners have acccpted. It looks as if the starter is in for a hot time.

Hendra is now favourite for the New Zealand Cup. The disappointing Black All is reported to have been backed for a substantial amount at a long price. It would need to be on his past performances. Our local canoidate (Sleight-of-Hand) and Egypt and Client have also a number of followers. It is a long way yet to Cup day and it will be hard to say what will start favourite.

Mr J. E. Henrys has again beecn appointed handicapper to the Manawatu Racing Club, a position ho lias held with credit for a quarter of a century. Mr Angus Keith has been appointed starter for the season, and the Club are to be congratulated in their choice.

Sports who desire to get to Masterion for tho first day's races from Palmcrston will be enabled to reach their destination if they take the "Manawatu Times" ear as far as I'ahiatua, where they can connect with the 6.5 a.m. train from Woodville. The car will leave the office at 4.30 a.m., and as there is only room for three passengers, early application is neccssary. A Southern paper is responsible for the statement that Ashley Reid has been engaged to ride Sleight-of-Hand in the New Zealand Cup. Messrs Gordon ami McMahou will act as stipendiary stewards at the Masterton races. Lady General has been doing good track work since the Otaki meeting, and many think her capable of capturing the Flying event at Masterton. The annual general meeting of the Manawatu Trotting Club will be held at the Clarendon Hotel to-morrow evening. One of the most interesting events on the card at the Masterton meeting will be the Juvenile Handicap, in which a number of youngsters will sport silk for the first time. Among those entered are Rene Rose (Rokebv —Elaine), ' Courtfield (Elvsian —Lady 1 Gwen), Oratress (Demosthenes —Eqni--las), Gipsy Gold (Bezonian —Gipsy Belle), 80-Peep (Bezonian—Margaret lie). Aniberinc (lvilbroney—Ambrosianj, Restful (Birkenhead —Peace'), Piraeus (Demosthenes —Formula), War Ma red (Martian —Two Step), Stnrglow (Martian — Fire Queen), Risinghnni (Rokeby—Rose Red), Bonville (Boui-

form —Garston), Grecian Girl (Field Battery—Grecian Maid), ami others. The track at the Opaki course is in good order, and some fast times arc expected to be put up on Thursday and Friday. Ten shilling totalisator dividends will be issued at the outside machine only ut the Masterton races this week. Polynesian and King's Armour will not be starting at Masterton to-mor-row, owing to a bereavement in Mr G. Seifert's family. C.J.C. NOVEMBER MEETING. The following nominatons have been received for the three principal races outside of the New Zealand Cup at the Canterbury Jockey Club's November Meeting:— STEWARDS HANDICAP, of 1500 govs; six furlongs. —Battle Eve, Wrestler, Brambletye, Seadown, Kilrea, Lady Gcnera 1, Sweet Tipperary. Ladoguer, Galore, Lady Black, Hymestra, Marker, Gazique, Bclair, Form Up, Lady Superior, Elocution, Ardent, Desert Gold, Arrowficld, Moutoa Queen, Nystad, Birkenvale, Miss Deval, Croesus, Fiery Cross, Killjoy, Termena, Margerine, Sir Malt, Nautical, Sheila, Tressida, Disdainful, Lingerie, Waimatao, Bjornef borg, Lovesick, Blairiinde, Slirill, Sweet Corn, Vermillion, Mult iplication, Ivilbovno. CANTERBURY CUP, of 750 sovs; two miles and a-quarter.—Adjutant, Gamecock, Menelaus, Bjorneborg, Hymestra, Silver , Tongue, Vagabond, Sleight-of-Hand, Desert Gold, Estland, Egypt, Client, Snub, Teka, Midnight Star, Blackall, Rorke's Drift, Sasanof. G. G. STEAD MEMORIAL STAKES, f of 750 sovs; one mile and a-quarter. — Aujufant, Gamecock, Menelaus, Bonnie I Maid, Bjorneborg, Hymestra, Silver Tongue. John Barleycorn, Desert Gold, Estland, Egypt, Arrow-field., M'iss Deval, Margerine, Vagabond, Chuckle, Sasanof, Mortham.

A.R.C. SUMMER MEETING. Tlie following nominations have been received for leading events to be run at the A.R.C. Summer Meeting: — AUCKLAND CUP.—Thrace, Colonel Soult, Paddington Green, Alteration, Scottish Knight, Cleft, Blackall, Hythread, Royal Rufus, Menelaus, Mascot, Johnny Walker, Seadown, Tressida, Adjutant, Ganiccock, Waiuta, Teka, Silver Tongue, Hendra, Notata, Multiply, The Toll', Red Rock, Dusky live, Warslar, Miss Doval, Devotion, Client, Desert Gold, Estland, Egypt, Red Ribbon, Thames, Trials, Tabasco, Mullingar, Uncle Ned, Master Regel, Cynic, Snub, Wardancer, Bingham, Chuckle, Vagabond, Sir Ralph, Gold Fran, Multifual, Bjorneborg, Paraoa, Analogue, Multicipal, Fiery Cross, Rebel, Glenopal, Toatere, Lady Beaufort.

RAILWAY HANDICAP. — Housewife, Rockfield, Lord Ivenilworth, Vermillion, Billy Wiggs. Carmen Sylva. Paddington Green, Lady Jack, Rewanga, Interlude, Kilrea, Charley, Menelaus, Seadown, Parisian Diamond. Wrestler, Waiuta, Hvmestra, Marker, Bellair, Hvginas, Elocution, Form Up, Simonides, Avon Park, Perform, Koesian, Ample, Ardent, Birkenvale. Miss Dcval, Pabiseo. Livland, Acre, Moutoa Queen, Gaziquc, 'Turaiigapito, Desert Gold, Keep Watch, Croesus, Bloomine, Arran. Empire, Itadam J?istori. Disdainful, Nanna, Hopfield, Sheila, Mentmore, All Talk, Lingerie, Bjorneborg, Killjoy. Revenue, King Lupin, Rekanui, Mill o' Gowrie, Van Durke, King Shimose.

ISLINGTON PLATE—Colonel Soult, Scottish Knight, Blackall, Cleft, Menelaus, Trossida, Bonnie Maid. Adjutant, Gamecock, Wrestler. Kvmestra, Simonides, The Toff, Koesian, Warstar, Miss Doval, Fabiseo, Livland, Desert Gold, Estland, Egypt, Croesus, Empire, Bingham, Hoplield, Ladoguer, Chuckle, Vagabond. Mont-more, Bjorneborg, King Lupin, Rebel.