SPORTING.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 122, 23 June 1909, Page 4

SPORTING.

TURF TOPICS. (By "Moluroa.") The Xapier Park winter meeting opens to-day, and will be concluded tomorrow. Poor acceptances have been received for the jumping events, but the flat races have tilled well. The Tara-uaki-trained horses Somali, Hydraulic, Timothy, .Marathon, and Hohepotae ligure amongst the acceptors. King of I In- Downs is an unlikely starter in the steeplechase.

Ha;wke's Hay form is generally upset at Xapier Park, and no doubt there was mure than one "waiter" at Hastings which will develop speed to-day. Iraimi has developed the bad habit of 'playing-up'' at the barrier, and at hustings she spoiled whatever chance she had by standing on the mark. It is quite likely that the lirst time the ■laughter.of Soult gets awav well it will only be a matter of collecting. Forest is gradually running into form, and was twice placed third at Hastings! Forest is set to meet Xero on 141b better terms in the Moteo Hack Hurdles than when the Turquoise geldin" scored in the Whakatu Hurdles last we°k. The Xapier Steeplechase should provide a splendid race. The top-weight Speeiosn created a surprise at the 'Hawke's Bay meeting by scoring in the Hack Steeplechase on the opening day, carrying Ost 121.1 ito the fore. 0„ the second day the (laughter of St. Hippo upset a warm order in Jack Pot in the June Steeple, and she promises to pay her way at the winter meetings. Capitol proved his quality over Ellerslie country, and is always a dangerous customer over three miles.

Nadador ran surprisingly well last week, and with a few more "races in her should prove a dangerous one, but at present she is hardly ready, if reports from the East Coast are correct. Lingerer is a safe juniper, but the distance may find the Apremont gelding out. and he has yet to prove his brilliancy. Commander ran a splendid race in the Hawk-e's Bay Hurdles, and is evidently a greatly improved horse. The Officer gelding negotiated the last hurdle in a line with Gold Dust and Compass, and In a slashing finish was only beaten by a neck by his half-brother Gold Dust. Eohepotae cost his backers a heap of good money the last time he sported silk, and the son of Westmcre ran so badly on that occasion that his gameness was severely questioned. He will be given another chance in the Petane Hack Race at Xnpier Park, but on paper his prospects can hardly be described as dazzling.

W. McKinnou, whose condition has been very serious since Irish fell with nnr. in the Winter Steeple, is said to be making a good recovery. They would call this cruelty to animals in New Zealand. At a meeting in England recently a horse won two consecutive hurdle races, both being run over two miles.

Hydraulic was showing his best form on the local tracks last week, and may not be long outside the ranks of the winners Mr. Sid. Pitt does not win out of his turn.

The much-boomed Miscast was' not produced at Hastings, but .is a likely starter in the Settlers' Hack at Napier