SPORTING.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 127, 26 June 1909, Page 6

SPORTING.

RACING FIXTURES. July 8 and !l—Gisborae R.C. Steplechasc. July 17, 21 and 24—Wellington R.C. Winter. July 22—Wellington Pony and Galloway R.C. August 10, 12 and 14-C.J.C. Graad National.

TURF TOPICS. (By "Moturoa.") July and August comprise the "off" season in the sporting world and things will l>e very slow until the Nationals come up for derision.

. It was on the cards that iwhen Iranni carried a lot of money she would be ii. moral. The daughter of Soult made no mistakes at the barrier this week and won a doulblc in very easy fashion. She only paid a small dividend in each race.

P. Eva's team in active commission consist of Highden and Wee Trinket. Both horses have improved in appearance since joining his stable. Uhlando and may not sport silk again until the spring. The brown horse Marathon created a surprise by easily annexing the Petanc Handican at Napier Park on Wednesday, and paid his few followers a handsome price. Marathon is now trained by J. Hathaivay.

It is a remarkable fact that Romany Lad, Fretwork and Lingerer, who won the Xanicr Steeplechase in 1007, 1008 and 1900 respectively, all won the Park Steeplechase on the : second day. Double winning performances' generally point to poor opposition, and this is certainly the solution of the problem this year. Lingerer, by running up well over big country at (he Hawke's Bay meeting, prepared his party for, their wins at Greenmeadaws, The company at the first-named place was infinitely superior to that encountered at Napier Park, and Lingerer won, vevyf oPmfortaMy. The Apremoiit gelding (was always a safe jumper, hut is very unreliable, and )>ns let his'party down badly at times. He has won comparatively few times during his fairly lengthy' turf career, and is hardly a T>rad likely to do much at Trontham or Riecarton later on.

The last race on the. programme is always a fan<-y of the iblack horse Rohepotae. At Hawera he was lucky enough to heat Starboard home by a head, but at Napier Park on Thursday his luck was out and a bare head defeat cost punters a fair sum. Rohepotae ran disappointingly nt Hastings and did no better on the first day at Greenmeadows. He was placed third in the Brooklands Hack Handicap on Thursday, and was pulled out again later in the afternoon to contest the Newstead Handicap. In a punishing finish Waipunui got home by n head. Rohepotac's New Zealand Cup prospects have not been enhanced by his defeats in kick company, and he will hare to improve out of all knowledge to have a chance in. November next. Still, Star Rose won the Cup, and he was one of the "unexpected" also. Three out of the live starters in the Moteo Hurdles fell, and Forest, who would probably have tfou anyhow, scored comfortably from Lebecc'io. Donzel and Chicane turned over at the second hurdle and Somali led all along the back but fenced poorly and when Forest moved up it tire be'nd the New Plymouth horse toppled over. Somali could do no better in open company on the second day, «nd ran last in a field of three in Porait'e Hurdles. Commander and Corazon fought out a great finish in the Ahuriri Hurdle Race on Wednesday. Commander was racing in front with Somali all the way and Corazon came with «. lnt-rv run, finishing a neck behind, top-weight,' On the concluding day Russell's horse was ridden with ibetter judgment and reversed position with his first day's victor. Sealer raent out a warm favorite for the Ladies' Bracelet but had no chance with Douglas' San Fran gelding Maku who raced behind the field until the straight was reached, when he came through and won very easily. Mrs. Douglas has been very fortunate during the last fortnight, and has gathered in quite a respectulblc amount of valuable jewellery by Pikopo victories' in the Bracelet and Necklace at Hastings and Maku's win at Napier Park. The Settlers' Hack Handicap was the best of gooil things for.Mundic, who was out on his own from start to finish, romping home a dozen lengths in front ot Timothy, who was piloted by Charlie Cochrane. Mundic was on it again on a Thursday, and carried U<t 7Hi homo ni the van. in the Brooklands' Hack Handicap in l.ll) 3-5. '

Miindk", Innmi and Lingerer were double winners at Groemneadaws'. Wuiliiiku figures in the hack hurdle races to be contested at the Wclliii"(oii B.C. meeting. In the .same race's "™ Aimitus. Waione, and Somali The fact that the Castor geldin.r has been nominated .for the Winter ifiirdle Kacc at irratham 'points to the probability that the lameness which troubled linn at ElhTslic was not such a serious ''<■"»' as' at lir.-t considered, ".lervey" <-eorge h, f 1.a.l hard luck will, the h-oiae and it would be serious if be lost the services „f siu-h ~ formidable 'one over,the small .sticks. He may win a (.rand National yet.

The four-yeiu-'old (illy Consuelo. bv Soult-Mauscrine, has changed hands and will now race m tl, e colors of Air Jos. I'ro.-ser.

Ji. Sid Pitt's .pair, Timothy u „d Ndrau ic, are 'engage,! in flat ~a (, M at the forthcoming Trcnthaiu gatherin"