SPORTING.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 280, 24 November 1914, Page 4

SPORTING.

TAKAPUNA MEETING. (Notes by Cicero.) The Takapuna Club received splendid acceptances for their spring meeting, which opens to-morrow. Of the seventeen figuring in the Trial Handicap Hadj will only have to reproduce Ellorslie form to keep the opposition busy, and seeing that the Bezonion colt is owned and trained' by that careful mentor, Frank MacManemin, one should not be nervous on that score. Possibly Glen spire will be most dangerous. A.baker’s dozen are engaged in the Borough Handicap. Toreador and King Lupin should be well supported. Quite a big crowd of untried jumpers are engaged in the Ponui Hurdles. Monathol and St. Helena show promise in their schooling essays. Ten only paid up for the principal event St. Andrew’s Handicap. Royal Irish won last year when carrying (7.6), but a rise of twenty-two pounds may stop him. Jollie Fille carried 8.0 into third place last year, and now carries four pounds less.* So on the handicap the latter appears to have the best of matters. Jollie Fille, Royal Irish and*’ Gold Size should provide an interesting contest. Eleven youngsters are engaged in the Cambria Handicap. Loyal Arch, who has a private reputation, ran well at Ellerslie, and should be greatly benefitted by the racing' received there. The great crowd .of twenty-six accepted for the Melrose Handicap. Kitty Bellairs is a quick beginner (a very necessary factor at Takapuna) and may encounter most trouble from Soultana. The poor field of five appear on the list for the Tiri Hurdles. Spalfish showed such good form at Ellerslie, that the punter brave enough to back one of the lot against him should be awarded an iron cross. The first day’s racing will be brought to a close with the Cheltenham Handicap for which event seventeen have accepted. Rationale, Inueru and Delendai will probably run prominently.