SPORTING.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 90, 12 May 1909, Page 3

SPORTING.

TURF TOPICS. (By "Moturoa.'') First-class acceptances Jiave been received for |jie lignionc i!.U. winter meeting, which opens lit lliiweni to-dav Mr V. O'Connor Will slip tin- tii-Uls, ami "the course is in splendid condition for toduv s races. A field of twelve in the liailwav Handicap will put punters np against soweUmig solid for u starl. Xicotiik', loangii and Dervish ■ an* recent winners, and the issue appears to be verc open.

Of the seventeen engaged in tile Ta- . wluti Scurry, Cloiipett is reported to nave- gone lame. Langshiin ran a good ; second to Hydraulic in the Kakaramea Makes at Hawera 011 Easter Jlondav. Ie 1 uia and Singer are a pair of nmeiiboomed disappointments up to the .present, lwt witii a "flier" anything might I win, and Hv e furlong flutters are not the events to stake one's starched apparel on anyway 1 1 Taupo carried 9.5 to victory at the Patea meeting, and is a likely starter in the Tongahoe Hurdles. The consistent liangihaeta tops the handicap with 11.6. Somali was not taken down to Hawera. . Coroneted was responsible for a slashing gallop at Hawera on Saturday morning. Jumping olf in company with Mendip and Mallet, Coroneted was in front all the way, and, clearing out iu last furlong, finished several lengths

in front of Mendip, who just beat Mal- | let, the last-named going fairly easily at the finish. ' J Shannon Lass scored in good style at the Patea meeting, and is only engaged in the Hawcra Cup this afternoon. In the Borough Stakes she easily defeated Mendip at a difference of 71b. Mr. 0. George took Forward down to Hawera yesterday afternoon, and the hor.se is very well Alee Mitchell has uefcn engaged to pilot Waione. The latter put up a good trial in company with Maharanui, Lingerer and Golden Glow .on Saturday, and appears to be in the pink of condition. Goodwin Park is spoken of as a certain starter in the Waihi Handicap, but will have to show improved form to be in it with the heavier weighted division.

The Telegraph Handicap will bring together a fairly smart crowd of sprinters, Guiding S'top made a poor showing at Awapnni last month when heavily backed, but the big black Stepniak horse is a fine mover, auo may break his '' duck " shortly, Muskerado was unlucky at the l'iltea meeting, and the grey is undoubtedly endowed' with pace. Clemency anil Toatiga are always dangerous over short courses, and represent recent winning form. J. Thacker took Paul and Timothy down by the 12.50 train yesterday. Forward and Het Volt, the latter claiming an engagement 011 Thursday, were 011 the same train. Maharanui has proved himself an adept at jumping, and on Saturday morning flew lialf a dozen, fences in proficient style. All the same, lie appears to be harshly treated alongside Taupo, who has won over sticks.

Dr. Shimose, whose nomination for the Melbourne Cup was the cause of much merriment, will make his reappearance at Hawera to-day.

The well-bred Lady Lucv, who won a small race at Marton in the spring, and afterwards raced unsuccessfully at the C'.J.C. Metropolitan meeting, figures in the Hawera Cup, but is trained privately, and is, therefore, an unknown quantity. North East ran prominently in the spring, and is said to be shaping in good style again. A Press Association wire from Palmerston North says it is stated that George Price has been appointed private trainer to "Mr. Highden," A. J. Shearsley intending to set up as a public trainer again. Price takes over the horses 011 May 21. ''Mr. Highden'' has purchased training stables and 13 acres of land at Awapnni, and his horses will be trained there. .