SPORTING NOTES.

Levin Daily Chronicle, 30 October 1917, Page 3

SPORTING NOTES.

There will be racing at Avondale on Saturday. Bicearton on Monday, when the New Zealand Cup will be decidcd.

Old Marton is to be given a flutter at Avondale. He is in the Grey Lynn Hurdle Race, of 2 miles, with 9.13, in which there are several other ancicnts.

Informal, winner of the Wellesley Stakes, was one of the cheapest yearlings disposed of at the Auckland sales at the end of last year, as he only realised 40gns. He is by the imported horse Demosthenes from Formality, by Gold Beef from Multiform's sister, Formula, by Hotchkiss—Formo. Like most of his sire's stock, Informal is a very smart galloper, and he is likely to win lots of races. So far the progeny of Demosthenes have not been tried except as sprinters, but Informal is bred on lines which, suggest that he will stay. He is engaged in the Avondale Stakes on Saturday.

The two performances registered by Hendra at Trentham must have been very disappointing to his New Zealand Cup admirers. He was strongly fancied each day, but he failed to make any show at the business end of his engagements. His stable companion, Form Up, one of the popular fancies for the Stewards' Handicap, was another of the failures at the meeting.

Karo, the two-year-old by Demosthenes, which won at the Wellington meeting, was one of the lot sold on behalf of the Wounded Soldiers' Fund at Alexandra Park, on accornt of the late Mr G. P.- Donnelly, and realised 90gns.

Astor is reported to bo very well at present, and is expected to run well at Avondale.

Client, who won the Wainui Handicap on Saturday week, under 9.5, and cut out the mile in 1.40 1-5, is likely to bo made public fancy for the New Zealand Cup. Seven years ago Bridge won the Wainui Handicap, and then went on to Eiccarton to capture the two-mile race. Will history repeat itself? Client beat a good field in the last Wanganui Cup, 194 miles, so he can stay.

One of the surprises at the A.J.C. meeting was Bed Pennant's win in the City Handicap. This horse is a full brother to Bunting, and had never before been placed. He is owned by Mr E. J. Watt. Two days after tlie race Bed Pennant galloped on to an iron bolt, which was driven so far into his oil forefoot that it was withdrawn with considerable difficulty. It was feared that lockjaw would result, but though so far he has avoided that, further racing for him this spring is out of the question.

The form of Chuckle at Trentham was so poor that it was decided to cancel her Ellerslio and Kiccarton engagements. The full-sister to Chortle received a severe kick on the stifle at Masterton, and it may have affected her at Trentham.

As a rule Fiery Cross is not at home in anything but the best of going. Undor the cicumstances, his achievement of carrying 9.8 to victory in the chief event at Gore on Tuesday was a fine one, and will not entail a" penalty for his Stewards' Handicap engagement.

Considering that ho is eight years old and is racing for the fifth season. Colonel Soult saddled up remarkably well at Trcntham. His owners were pleased with his efforts in the Wellington Handicap, in which he ran a good race after getting badly away. The Soult gelding has been allowed to drop out of the New Zealand Cup, as he will bo racing at Ellerslie next month.

At last advices the English-bred horse Lanius (9.3) ruled favourite for the Melbourne Cup. Melbourne critics are very enthusiastic concerning Lanius, pronouncing him about the bestlooking horse that has ever come from England to race. When Lanius won the Jockey Club Stakes in England ho was credited with running the mile and three-quarters in 2.59 1-5, with 9,2 up, but (remarks "Pilot"), English tracks are not measured like those of Australia, 2ft or 3ft from the inner rails, but in the centre. On a circular or oval track this would make a wonderful difference. There is, however, every reason to accept Lanius as a high-class horse, and one that can be depended upon to make a bold bid for victory at Fleming ton nest month.