SPORTING.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 213, 29 August 1908, Page 6

SPORTING.

THE SOUTH. ItOAD HADE. For the past few days the main topic of convert lion here has been the hor.e race between Air. Hood's grey and Air. Duggan's bay horse from Now' Plymouth to Pahotu, writes our liahotu correspondent. The local horse was the general favorite here, although the hay found several strong supporters. There was also considerable discussion over the time, many of the "knowing ones' reckoning the journey would be done in under two hours. (I was therefore (mile expected Unit a big crowd would assemble at Kahotti on the day of the race: and so it proved. On Thursday fully three hundred people were present to see the finish. News was anxiously awaited from various points on the road, and when it was announced that the local horse was leading at Okato. which stage had been reached in 1 hour -I minutes from starling, local backers'mere jubilant, and it was felt that sensational time would be put up. At Wiirea, however., the local horse went lame, as the result of an injury received a week ago, and Air. Hood wis obliged to pull out. Air. Duggan then came on very steadily, reaching liahotu ill 1 hour 5S minutes after starting from the South road store. The horse wis accorded quite ail ovation when it arrived, as w-iis also Air. Hood on arriving a few minutes later. The time is considered excellent, but there is n i> doubt had the winner been extended in the latter part of the journey t'ullv fifteen minutes could lie knocked'oil' that lini". The township looked unite busv all the afternoon, as the race was followed by two motor-cars and several horsemen.