SPORTING.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 29, 30 December 1916, Page 3

SPORTING.

STRATFORD RACING CLUB'S MEETING. (Notes by Cicero.) Stratford will be the -Mecca of all sportsmen in Taranaki on Monday ami Tuesday next, when that progressive body, the Stratford Racing Club, will bold their annual mooting. This Club has made great progress of late years, in fact, one is quite justified in stating that no club (other than Metropolitan) has made the same headway the last live years as the club under review. Five years ago. the Cup was worth £125 against i'soo at the coining meeting. While the total prize money in 1912 was £1225, the.amount this year reaches the remarkable total of £2750, an increase which speaks for itself. The class of horses engaged is very good, especially when one remembers that Maiv ton and Wairarapa races are on the s^me'dates, and draw on the same Class of owner. Since last meeting, the course has received a lot of attention, a very largo sum having been spent on the racing track, whilst. a modern Number Board has also been installed. Racing will'open with the Tariki Welter, for which the acceptances are:— White Blaze (inc 71!) pen) 10.5 St. Francis ... ' ... 9.11 ' Fidelio (inc. 71bs pen.) 9.7 Movement ... ... 9.5 Iceberg 9.1 Draft 8.11 Haerengawc 8-9 Poka ... 8.9 Deeside ... ... 8.8 Whakamoa 8.8 Prince Paul ...... 8.7 Crown Head ... ... 8.7 Laura 8.7 Silver Web 8.7 Starforte 8.7 White Blaze won decisively at New Plymouth, but is sure to receive a lot of opposition from Haereflgawe.

The next event carded is the Borough Stakes, for which no less than thirty-seven nominated, owing to the conditions barring winners, four of this number are ineligible owing to winning at Taranaki. The following are the entries :—Seaport, Turangapito, Malita, Pergola, Fair Paul, Gleaner, Lady Ara Knrntai, Kiokapao, Mnb, Festoon, Rifilc Fire, Huzzar, Ivuroreka, Zimmerere, College Gift, Zhmcal, Deeside, Army Service, Fireless, Key, Hinetoa, Rawakore, Roderick, Zola, Trombone, Robur Kitogue, Huzzar, King Shiraose, St. Helga, chestnut gelding by Coronet —Nora. Of this number Fair Paul, Pergola, and Deeside ran fairly well at New Plymonth, but Melita, who ran very "green" in. his late efforts, may have too much pace on Monday. With the decision of this event arrived at, backers will bo faced with the Cup problem, the acceptances for which arc:— Muniaroa ... ... 8.11 Sunbird ... ••• 8.11 Master Lupin ... 8.9 Crawford 8.2 Soldier V-. 13 Antwerp (inc 71bs pen) 7.12 Paraoa (inc 71hs pen) 7.9

Flying Camp (inc 71b pen) 7.7 Peroneal '■'* Rataua J 1;; Henry Clay ... ••• * '-^ Analogue '•- Camp Guard 7 -° Maniaroa raced badly at Manawatu, and was very sore after the Cup | race at that meeting. Sunbird wat. much above heMfllf «t Taranaki, and; will hardly be ready for such a stiff preparation as faces her. Master Lupin has been off the scene for eight months, but is entitled to respect on past performances, also the fact that Moulu has been withdrawn in favour of Lupin's son. Crawford, in a much weaker field, failed badly last Monday and can Iw'e little ehartc*. boldlor has a number of fair performance to his credit. A long strider like this horse will not be favoured by the track Antwerp showed winning form on Tuesday losjt, hilt nitty I'aVe h ™ all the luck in that event. Peroneal, who changed hands during the Taranaki meeting, ran a capital . race m the Christmas Handicap. Whether she is good eiidugh now to win a MOO -, like the one under review is problematical. Ratana has been working with Altercation, and doing excellent work too. The chestnut wub supported by his party for the Christmas Handicap, but failed to reproduce track form. Hellry Clay, When fancied at New Plymouth, raii like a commoner, and the chestnut does not appear to be much good. Analogue was produced in the chief event last Tuesday, but owing to hi* fitter gettill" the whip and reins tangled; suffered a nose defeat. Paraoa, alter bolting a considerable distance prior to the 'start, battled out every inch of the Christmas Handicap, and won by sheer gameness. Despite a penalty his connections lire: snnguiile of success again oh Monday. Flying Camp ran an excellent • race on the first day of the Taranaki meeting, but performed badly the following day. Campguard was backed by his party both davs at the late meeting, but like Henry Clay, ran poorly. Analogue and Master Lupin should be handy at the finish.

The acceptance for the Ohula Hurdles is poor, considering the event is worth £l5O. The following is the list of acceptors: — Moulu ••• 10 - U The Golfer ... ••■ l () - y Combustion ... ••• Captain Miro ... 9.9 Dood ... ■ !)1 St. Kiel <J -° T - Cj n Korero °-' Prince Paul ... .-.. 9 -° Despite his load, the top-weight will he. hard to heat, although Combustion (stable-mate) should run well. A number of good hacks figure in the Midhirst Hack Handicap, a race which carries a prize of £175, a Line stake for the "battler." Uelow arc the names of the acceptors :-- Golden Grafton 'inc pen) 9.11 Paraoa (.inc pen) 9.5 White Blaze (inc pen) 8.13 Analogue 8.11 Henry Clay *- 11 Camp Guard 8.8 Syntax (inc St. Francis .'8.5 Sylvandale ... ••■ 8.1 Dinsle (inc pen 'i ~ 10 Narina ... ■•• "J 1 Seaport ... ••• ' ••■'

As many of the above have other engagements, the field may be reduced. Syntax was unlucky at iSe.'. Plymouth, and should run prominently' The chief sprint event has drawn ten acceptors. The following is the list:— DOUGLAS HANDICAP—6 furlongs. Tree Lucerne (inc pen) 9.3 Astor ... ' 9 - a Zetes - ** Kauri King ... ••• 8 -o Veto .- Tirana ••• 8.1 Bivouac Lord Lupin ... ... 7 - 5 Revocation ... ••• ' ,u Simple Sam ..- ••• ' -° Astor failed at Awapuni. and has nothing the best of the handicap. Trees TncuJie showed a return to form on Monday. The race should improve him, and with Veto, should be well - supported.

The lot in the following event Ifcive no recommendations. Possibly Haererfgawe (if reserved) and Cordon will run well The following are those nominated for the Farmers' Plate: Nor'manbv, Interval! Sportronas, Mahipoti, Bravo, Waioturi, Renigj Gravel, Compel, Cordon, Merrie Paul, Harengawo, Crown Head, Slipshot, Zimmerere. &™S Simon, Laura, The Mystery.

The first day’s racing will conclude with the Railway Hack, in widen Movement and Cora Ora look best. Tile following remain in the event:—

]>i vduat! (.inc pen) su ■Munition H.O Revocation rk“ Movement S.2 Ticino ... 8.2 Heiro S.2 gfcRjflrtw 7.11 Trickery ... 7.11 Dingle (inc pen) 7,10 r ti Iceberg I .J Cora Ora (inc pen) 7.0 Madam Ristori 7.8 Record Breaker 7.1 Rifle Fil'O 7.4 Salutary 7.3 Paul Moore ... 7,3 Sliaudoil Bells 7.2 Zimicle ... 7.2 Inah ... 7.2