SPORTING.

Otaki Mail, 19 February 1923, Page 3

SPORTING.

Matarika and Bonccto (both ridden by Ryder) were among the winners at Gisborne on Saturday. The Levin owner, Mr J. O’Connor, will have Pleasure trained locally in future. -South Island sports are puzzled over the defeat of the brilliant fitly

Razzle Dazzle at die Dunedin meeting.by Wild Ilind. It is reckoned by some that her trainer has been too easy on her since her victories at Trentham. Over the middle portion -of die journey sire appeared to be winning comfortably, but she failed fo finish on, and Wild Hind beat her in the run 10 the judge. Another version is that Razzle Dazzle was not j wisely handled. -The Wingatui course j severely tests two-year-olds who have big weights to carry, and it. is argued ; that Razzle Dazzle was beaten j through being hunted to the front too I

.soon. The Merry Moment—Labour Day Ally Merry Day, who has been in the limelight of late, is apparently to be included among die lucky purchases, as a Napier writer stales she was i bought by her present owner, Mr A. | E. 800 I if, for the small outlay of £4O. ;At three years old, Merry Day won j £SSO in stakes, and a totalling up of j figures bearing on her captures this • season shows the same to be £2817.

A big string of horses are at work on the- Wanganui tracks in view of the Wanganui and other early meetings. These include Explorer, Battle Song, Khartoum, Thespian, Listowel, The Hawlt and others. 1

Oakleigh, winner of the last Grand National Steeplechase, has been put into work at Ellerslie after a lengthy spell, and will he prepared lor the jumping season.

'i'iie death is reported at Blenheim o| Mr L. Griffiths, lor many years secretary of the Blenheim Racing- and Trotting Club. The well known horseman, L. G. Butler, has been suspended fur three months for Hie alleged careless riding \ D cub-d" Woodville. The mis- * ■■■■'■ appeared to bo bceidenfal owing i > his' moaui. swerving and interleri ing witii other bor-es in. a rßul- ' let' appeal big against Urn decision! j Hie Ion: displayed by Olymhus in • wmi'iug a in ml In evens at \\oodvitle suggests he may have further successes over the battens during me next few months. Two Westport sportsmen are negotiating for the purchase of the North Island galloper, Maioha. There is a yearling fitly, an own sister to the brilliant filly Razzle Dazzle, at the Waikanae stud, and the brood mare Simper has a Boniform colt at foot, which Is described as something out of die ordinary. A Southern punter recently claimed that he put up a record by backing three non-triers in one day at the same meeting. Palestrina’s recent win in the Midsummer Handicap at .the. Canterbury B.C. meeting makes her second -success in this event, having won last year, it is probable that the mare will-he sent north to contest the Wanganui Cup.

A southern writer, In referring to a small country meeting, says: "ft is hard for country clubs to show a profit these days, with taxation relentlessly squeezing them to death, while the enemies of the turf smile and preen themselves with satisfaction.”