SPORTING.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 8152, 9 July 1906, Page 3

SPORTING.

BACI> T G FIXTURES. s July 11, 14, Wellingten Racing l lub. ' July 14: V.R.C. Grand National c teeplechage. J August It, 10, 18, N.Z. Grand , ational Meeting. ' AUSTRALIAN RACING. [ JRAND NATIONAL HURDLES. r Received 7, 8.3" p.m. r Melboi'bxe, July 7. i The meeting commenced in fine but ild weather. Grand National Hurdles: Realm I loyt) 1, Rattlesnake ((Juinane) 2, s arinthus (Williamson) 3. Twenty l artcrs. Betting ito 1 against Sham- ' ick, sto 1 Rattlesnake, 8 to 1 Florin, t ) to 1 Sun, IS to 1 Realm. a From a good start Rattlesnake and ' lorin were first away. Sun led out l : the straight from Florin, Sattlelake and Realm. Passing the bridge ; orinthus was leading, and kept it to i le straight. Shamrock and Corinthus i ere galloping together in front of Sun ad Reala at the riverside. On the ■cond round, at the bridge, the leaders ere three lengths from Realm. The '. itter, however, got to the front at the lrn, from Rattlesnake and Corinthus. lealm had the race won as the last . nrdle was crossed, and won by eight I mgths. Time omin tajscc. Miss 1 ling finished last. I HAWERA RIFLES' MEETING. The following are the results of the acing events at the Hawera Mounted tifles Meeting, held on Wednesday ist:— Pony Handicap, 6. furlongs. I M. S. O'Donnell's b m Pet, 1 yrs., 8.8 1 kglcr Kelly's b m Vashti, fiyrs, 8.0 2 5. M. Higginson's b m Flo, 4yrs., 8.10 3 The only other starter was Rawhiti. jady's Bracelet Hurdle Handicap, 1* miles. Hiss E. Trott's b « Kangaroo, aged, 11.7 1 Miss K. Mouri's b g Last Chance, 4vrs., 12.1 2 tfiss K. Hughes's b g Okaiawa, aged 12.9 3 Also started: Roi'ganui, Flying Foam, Barney. Hack and Hunters' Steeplechase. H. Washer's rn g Haerekinau, aged, RIO 1 D.'J. Bashford's g g Tarragan, aged, * 11.10 2 Lieut. Robertson's g g Paddy, aged, 11.8 3 Also started: Itick. Flat Handicap, 6 furlongs. Trooper Anderson's br g Kangaroo, aged, 11.12 1 Sergt. Mitchell's blk g Bushy Park, fiyrs, 13.8 2 Trooper Tippert's ch g Off-Chance, ayrs, U.s ... 3 Other starters: Okaia»a, Flying Foam, Flying Guard, St. Cluster, Canteen, Waimate, Hairy-legs, First Chance.

TURF TOPICS. ' Mormo.v. "] Multiliil's weight in the various Australian engagements —which was omraittcd in the cable -is as follows : Epsom Handicap 7.12, Metropolitan 7.'J, Melbourne Cup *.3. Several horses received injuries at the I awke's Bay and Napier Park meetings, which probably accounts for their non-acceptance at Wellington. Florio has, it is reported, now completely recovered from the mishap which prevented him from taking part in the Wauganui and Auckland Meetings. As Melodeon has been scratched for the >"ew Zealand Cup, it may be inferred that the horse will not return to tlie colony. Comfort nut with serious injury in the Napier Steeplechase winch necessitated his withdrawal from all Wellington engagements. Captain Shannon ls'rcported to be in excellent form and doing good work at Napier. Benair w»s recently purchased by Mr F. Armstrong who indends using • him as a sire. Ben Godfrey's son has I been a disappointment as a racer. It has been found impossible to train Treadmill, who had been put into work recently after an enforced spell, but it is stated the same trouble has reasserted itself, necessitating his retirement once more. Halbadier is ngiin in work and will pr jbably make his appearance in the [Upring.

The acceptances received for the Wellington Winter Meeting must, on the whole, be considered satisfactory considering the number of horses that have recently been disabled, thus causing their temporary retirement from active work, also the avowal of sonic owners not to again nominate at the meeting on account of the arbitrary and stringent regulations in force. However with line weather the Club should have a successful reunion. In the Steeplechase, Irish, with 10.1, appears to be well treated, and perhaps lie or the Swimmer may provide the vinner. Shrapnel, who failed to find a place in the Hawkes Bay Hurdles, may perhaps run better at Trentham ; but Pushful is one I have a great respect for in this event. Word has come from Sydney that George Price and S. Reid have been granted licenses to ride at Eandwick. ind have been doing plenty of exercise .'iding.

Waikato left on Friday morning for Wellington, where the St Hippo gelding is engaged in flat events, If all goes well in the meantime E. Russell vill go on to Christchurch to compete it the National Meeting. The gelding las bean troubled lately with his teeth, but otherwise is in good form. Word has been received from Wellington of the death of tho brood mare Leda whichpccurrcd at Mr Davis' farm. The marc was the dam of St. Winifred and Landwern. " Fisherman and his descendants " is the subject of an interesting -article in a recent issue of the " Town and Country Journal." A few remarks on the article may be of interest locally, inasmuch that Mr Dan O'Brien was closely associated with some of the descendents of Fisherman in the early days of racing in Australia. Fishhook, whom the writer describes as " one of the best colts ever raced at Randwick and Fiemmgton, was ridden in all his two-year-old engagements by Mr D. O'Brien, whe has lome interesting recollections of battles fought on the turf in Australia. Another descendent in Fisherman's Jaughter was also ridden by him in the first A.J,C. Derby which was won by Clove." Among others the writer states: " But it is undoubtedly Maribyrnong that has dono the most towards perpetuating the name of his great sire—Fisherman." The writer, however, is in error in stating that Maribyrong never raced, on account of breaking down when doing a preparation for the Derby, as Mr O'Brien informs me that he rode the colt in the V.fi.C. Derby of 1865 in which event he broke down, being pulled up in the straight, causing his retirement to the stud. Sydney sporting writers have been reviewing the we-ghis for the Australian spring handicaps, they all appear to have a great respect for the New Zealand horses. " Martindale " (Towu and Country) states that "the New Zealanders prnroi e to play a very strong hand right through the spring meetings." " Pilot " (Sydney Referee) in !us remarks on the Melbourne Cup weights says; "On the whole, the New Zealand horses have not been at all badly treated in the coming big events, and I daresay Solution, for one, will visit Sydney. There is no doubt she is a particularly good mare at, a mile, and 8.7 should leave her with a cuance in the Epsom. The V.R.C handicapper, by the way, has treated her as a non-stayer in the Melboui ne Cup, having only allotted her 7.8, which might possibly be dangerous, as it is only fair to assume that she would not have been entered unless her owner thought there was at least a possible chance of the marc being able ;o get a distance. It is also worthy of note that even before the appearance of the weights for the New Zealand Cup, she was one of those in demand for that race, so that apparently followers of the game where she is best known regard her as likely to stay." Albuera, who won the Settlers' hack race at Hastings is by Soult-Hotch-erina, aud therefore a full sister to Marshal Soult,

It was common talk at the Napier Park meeting (states a Wellington scribe), that if a certain telegram had uot come from a certain firm of Wellington bookmakers declining a certain bet, Sardonjx would haye given Monarquo something to do to get first place in the Poraitc hurdles on the second day.

"JBangiwhenua was sold after the Napier Park meeting to Mr McKorsey, of Hawkes' Bay, and the gelding will in (future Lie trained by 11. Rickey. The price paid is stated to be i'lso. Tke Napier Park Racing Club made a proQt of nearly £6OO over their last meeting. Mr J. Brett, who recently raced Ailsa and Caralina, has decided to retire from turf. It is stated the mares have been retired to the stud, and will be mated with Stepniak.