SPORTING.

Shannon News, 14 November 1922, Page 3

SPORTING.

HOROWHENUA MEETING TO-MOR-ROW. Although the weather has been ( somewhat unsettled of late, an _ improvement has been apparent, during the last two days, and the chances of dry going to-morrow are favourable. Weather means much to the meeting, and with the prospects good, the day should turn out well for the club. During the last few months the club has had various improvements carried out, and the appointments are niore up-to-date now than they have been in the past. The track,too, has had a lot of attention from Caretaker Yuile, and there should he no complaints about the going. The course has always had the reputation of being fast, and there is no reason why some smart times should not be registered to-mor-row.

Some early arrivals put in an appearance at the beginning of the week, and a good string were doing exercise gallops this morning- ahd afternoon. The hiold-up of the shipping has resulted in? a number of North Island horses being still in the South, but only one acceptor for the Levin meeting in Printemps is among those affected.

The club is .acting wisely in having a 10/ tote as well as £1 for the meeting. This will meet with approval from large numbers of patrons, judging by the success of the innovation at the last two Otaki fixtures. The 10/ tickets will be on sale in the outside enclosure to-morrow, and £1 on the inside.

To-morrow’s programme! will commence wt-ih the Hurdles, for which there is the good field of 14, and among them are several horses that have raced successfully on the flat, among them Kail, Waimatoa, Pacific Slop.e and Island. Kail got am png the ■money at the last Horowhenua meeting, and if he can jump should be hal'd to beat 'to-morrow.

Thirteen are on the card in the Welter Hack, seven furlongs. Yankee Dan heads the weights with 9.3, and concedes 121 bto Snatcher and Militaire, who are next on the list. The top weight, however, looks like holding his own in this company. Admiration was galloping well a season or soi back, and if he can muster up his old pace may ,be among' the leaders. The locally-owned Pleasure is among the field, and a win to her popular owner is about due. The Levin Hack of six furlongs has attracted a field of 11, with the Fox-ton-owned Helen Rufus (9.0) and Flying Nell (8.13) at the head of the list. This pair should make the pace warm for the rest, and should be Well in the division of the stakes.

. Tile big event, the Cup, will have special interest on account of tfle champion Amythas being among the acceptors. The son of Demosthenes has been on the retired list for some time, but his galloping ability is such that an impost of 10.13 should not trouble him much. It is regrettable that Printemps is prevented from starting owing to being hung up in the South Island, as the Autumnus gelding is performing well at present, and wouTd have found plenty of supporters. Of the others, Dissertation and Makere are a good pair, and it would not be surprising to see the after running forward at the business end-nl' the journey. Merry Day, Halifax, Beloved and Satin are the other starters.

Fourteen are in the Lake Hack, of a mile and a distance. Flying Nell has been given 9.0, and on her recent form is evidently, _ galloping well. Basso can Tnuster up some pace, and so can All Cerise.

The McDonald Memorial, seven furlongs, with 16 starters, has the best field of the day in the evenness of the class. Astinom.,© and Blackmail are weighted at 9.5, and among the others are Makere, Princess. Pat, Kura, Wainiatoa, Probate, Helen Rufus and Flying Nell and Kikini. It is a very open race, and should give the; punters some trouble in locating the winner. There are several among' the field that should run well, and the race should be ai good one. A score are engaged in the Hokio Hack, a five furlong flutter. Cochineal and Miss Rene are a, useful pair, but the others will take some sorting out.

Eighteen will contest the Maiden of six furlongs, a race that Wears an open appearance, and anything might win.

Gray is expected to arrive in Auckland at the latter part of next month. It is said that he will be riding in New Zealand at some of the Christmas meetings, hut he is hooked for an early return to England. His son is now attached to one of the leading training stables, and is said to be getting along all serene.