SPORTING.

Shannon News, 25 November 1921, Page 3

SPORTING.

THE ASHHUHST MEETING. This popular club had the bad luck 0/ having wretched weathosr for the annual meeting on Wednesday, and the attendance suffered acordingly. The adverse conditions were reflected in the totalisator business, which went back from £26,1?2 last year to £15,821, a drop of £10,951,-a rather solid depreciation seeing the club has only one meeting per year. Nevertheless the gathering was well conducted as usual, and the day made as enjoyable for visitors as far as curcumstances would allow.

In spitg of the heavy going, eleven starters lined up in the hurdles, and War Loan, who ran a good second to Passenger at Levin last week, was picked out as favourite, with .Gold Problem next in the betting, the latter having the services of A. McDonald in the saddle. Te Maire, a promising sort, made all the early running, and carried on till the straight was entered, when the favourite took charge, with Sir Fanciful in hot pursuit. This pair went on and finished in that order, Te Maire being third. Gold Problem struck trouble early. He made a mistake at the first jump, and his saddle slipping, lost his rider. Waimatoa upset calculations in the Pohangina Handicap and paid a good dividend. On her forward running of late Nursing Sister was the best supported in a field of nine. It was only a three-horse race, however, for Tommy Rot, a good second favourite, quickly ran out in front and put a break of three lengths between himself and Waimatoa after the first 100 yards of the journey. The was in close attendance on Waimatoa, and this pair overhauled the leader before reaching the home turn. Waimatoa and Nursing Sister battled out the decision up the straight, the former holding out long enough to get the verdict, by a length, Tommy Rot being three-quarters of a length behind Nursing Sister. Birkie put up a good performance by finishing fourth after losing several lengths at the start. Kikini, who ran a good second to Rose of Athens in the Levin Handicap last week, was favourite in the Flying, and .gave nothing else a chance. Eight horses Weighed out. The favourite made a procession of it fro mstart to finish. Mountain March being the only one to put up a fight. The scratching pen was much in evidence in the Cup, only six horses facing the barrier. Esperance was made a: better favourite than Tari, who performed well in the Cup at the Horowhenua meeting. Tari took command early, and soon established a strong lead and was never troubled. The held formed a procession behind the leader, and finished in order, Matatua being second and Loveniatch third. The favourite was never dangerous at any part of the journey. The Komako Hack found eleven starters at the post-, with Kail (who showed good form at Levin) at the head of the betting and Helen Rufus nex in demand. Spare Moments set the pace, and the favourite then took up the running, followed by Larkspur. At the straight entrance the Foxtont rained Helen Rufus shot to the front and went, on to win. March On put in a claim in the straight, and beat the favourite for second money. The big field of 17 went out in the Maiden Stakes, Solstice being a good Mvourite. Santiago was showing the way after half the journey had been completed, and cantered home two length sin front of the favourite. Haeremoana, 'who made up. a lot of ground, ran through the field to third place.