SPORTING.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXV, Issue 30, 4 February 1913, Page 8

SPORTING.

(By Cicero.) The summer meeting of the Egmont Racing Club opens to-morrow. Since last fixture, this club haye made vast improvements to the totalizator house, number board, and members’ stand. A picturesque tea kiosk has also been erected. All that is now required to make the meeting a record one for the club is good weather. The opening event, the Hawera Stakes, will serve to introduce the mighty Bobrikoff to Taranaki racegoers. The son of Finland is very well, as proved by his running six furlongs easily in 1.18 on Saturday morning.

Five only have paid up in the Whareroa Hurdles, and a moderate lot they are. Should Aviatrix strip as well as at New Plymouth, he will probably see a very short price. Bercola may start in the event as the stable will possibly rely on Allure in the Ohawe Hurdles. A field of eight remain in the Hack Hurdles. Ngatiruanui, who is very well at present, is greatly fancied by his connections.

The large number of twenty-four still remain in the Mere Mere Hack. Grattan is moving very nicely, and may prove that Trentham form was wrong. The Egmont Cup will next attract attention. Fifteen really good horses are still left in. Labour Day, who figures as top weight, is really well and on Saturday morning decisively beat Patriotic over a seven , furlong course, which she ran in a tick over 1.30—a really good gallop. Undecided ran well at Trentham when supported by his party on the third day of the fixture. Mira is another fancied candidate, but like Undecided may be better suited by a ten-furlong course. Cheddar, the representative of the powerful Watt stable, should strip very well, as he won at Hawke’s Bay at the New Year meeting. Mana wakaha is fancied in some quarters, and had no difficulty in beating Royal Dragoon by ten lengths on Saturday 7 morning. Master Laddo ran a couple of great races at Trentham, and if in the humour would probably pay a dividend. Of those lower down the list Brown Owl appears the best. The class engaged in the Ladies’ Bracelet are a poor lot, and Moirette, who ran well at New Plymouth and Stratford, will probably start favourite. The Flying has attracted twelve, of which Peroneal and Distinction ran well at Trentham and are sure to be well supported* The first day’s sport will close with the Waipapa Hack, for which event Postillion and Patronymic should produce a good finish. Owing to the poor response of owners, the Egmont Club will probably eliminate hurdle events from the summer programme in future.

Hector Girl ran a very fast four furlongs on the local track last week, and is fancied by her party for the Mere Mere Hack at Egmont. Masterpiece is very sore at present and it would not surprise the writer were he an absentee on Wednesday. Lucerne was badly beaten by Astor over five furlongs at Hawera on Saturday On that showing, the Lupin filly can have little chance at Egmont. Con the Shaughraun is to be tried over hurdles after the Egmont meeting. It would be no surprise to find Coronet’s son a success, as he is built on jumping lines. Park Tide for a maiden gave a good diplay over the hurdles at Hawera on Saturday. The chestnut will make her debut as a hurdler on Thursday. Butler has Conney very well at present, and she may run well forward at Egmont. .Ngatiruanui will probably be ridden by “Tartar” Julian to-morrow. In the hands of such a capable horseman Maniopoto’s son should make things interesting. Patronymic is very well at present, and should run well at the coming meeting.