SPORTING.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 8165, 26 July 1906, Page 4

SPORTING.

The weights for the Grand National Steeplechase, Hurdle:-, and Winter Cup appeared last week, and have been the subject of much discussion by scribes and sporting men. Many of the candid les were seen out at the Wellington meeting. Irish, it is said, fenced slovenly in the last round, but afterwaids won easily. Sol was not seen out, but, according to Auckland reports, the Souk gelding has been doing good work. Report states that nothing was going better than Slow Tom when he fell in the Wellington Steeplechase. Two years ago the St. Ives gelding won the big race at Riccarton, carrying 11st, and, with 3lb extra to carry, his chance seems second to none (providing the injury he received at Wellington has not interfered with his preparation. Eurus is a safe 'chaser, as has been proved, and, with only io.S, appears to possess a chance. Phaetonitis is an aristocratic-looking animal, but has not done anything recently to flatter his admirers. In some quarters Rongoa is considered to have an excellent chance, after his display at Trentham, and from recent performances it would seem that Irish has only to stand up to at least gain a place. Perhaps Slow Tom, Sol, Eurus, or Irish may provide the winner.

The National Hurdle Race possesses a very open appearance at are several good performers on the present. Among the candidates flat, but who are novices at the jumping game, and one of these may effect a surprise. Shrapnel, although he has been allotted a stone more than he carried to victory in Wellington, still possesses a great chance of securing the stake. Kremlin is said to be an unlikely starter. Exmoor will, I think, again be beaten by Shrapnel, but Cuiragno, with lost 61b, taking into consideration his recent form, I consider to have an excellent chance, and Hydrant, if fully recovered from his fall at Auckland, may prove better than many think him to be. Ability has been running very consistently during the season, and may have to be reckoned with.

Among the novices I like Tirole and Asteroid, who each gained a place at Wellington. Probably the winner may come from Shrapnel, Cuiragno, Hydrant, or Ability. The Winter Cup is a difficult problem to solve at present. Those I like best are Ellerton, Buluwayo, Waikato, and Polyanthus.