SPORTING

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 265, 16 December 1909, Page 4

SPORTING

RANGITHvEI MEETING. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Marton, Last Night. The following weights were omittad from the Rangitikei races:--Scott Memorial: Irish Rille; Rangitikei Cup: Irish Rille 7.11, Waiata 0.8; Pukenui Welter: Lady Doris 8.10; Hack Hurdles: Master 8.0."

TURF TOPICS. (By "Moturoa.") The Christcliurch Racing Club's meeting will be concluded to-day. Tip-top acceptances have been received for the first day of the Wanganui Trotting Club's summer gathering, which opens to-day, and some interesting contests should result. I'earlie Maid, well known ill North Taranaki, is out on good starts al Wanganui, and is said to be trotting in good style.

Northern papers state that the disqualified Jockey, Ben Deelcy, intends appealing against the twelve month rest cure presented to him by the Taliapuua Jockey Club last week.

Taranaki acceptances are not .is numerous as one would wish, but gool racing should be provided right through the card. ''The guns" have got all the winners picked already!

The ex-Aucklandcr* Master Delava.l, figures amongst the entries for the Indian Viceroy's' Cup (1% miles), to be run on Boxing Day, Up North somebody is booming Diabolo for all they are worth. Diaboio "has arrived" they all say! But the bookmakers iceep 'on laving him quite cheerfully, '

Writing of bookmakers, reminds me of Sirjoe Ward's promise given in the House of Talk last week, to bring up a Bill this session amending the farciaal Gaining Act. Members are to be given an opportunity to review the Act of 11107, to wipe out pony and galloway meetings and to put out the "tote" and the bookmaker. NDt a session goes by but sdme M.P., as a sop to a certain section of his constituents, brings forward a Totalisator Abolition Bill, but the tote-bell still tinkles merrily and is iikcly to do so far some time to come. The ponies and the Bar Vons are feeling anxious and their reign has a big chance of falling at the Srst fence—to use a sporting phrase.

The Maliaki gelding, Ataahua, whose career in 'Stralia opened with bad lucl:, and who went wrong just before Hie V.11.C. National meeting, is again in work and should not be long in .picking up a good hurdle race. This year's Auckland Cup field promises to be well up to those of recent years in point of numbers and quality. Taskmaster is about the only one of the visiting horses already at li'llerslic, but several are due to arrive this week .nd things will brighten up then. All the Auckland horses engaged appear to be galloping well, and Advocate is still well fancied for the two-mile event.

Ten horses have paid up for the Manawatu Cup, leaving Crucinella (8.9) in the position of top-weight. On recent form Mcrrivon-iii and Pnfsano are coming into favor arid Flingot is not without admirers in Palmorston.

The Awapuni Handicap promises to bring together a good crowd of sprinters —ten of them, and not a bad horse amongst them. Tumut, if in form, is well up to Oat., and Crucinella should be better suited by the shorter journ>y than the Cup course. The.others have all been running forward latelv, notably Equitas, Sir Antrim and Ny'lnnd, and their meeting should infuse a little interest into the racing. First day's winners at Christchureh nnpenr to be leniently handicapped today and they all appear to have fair chances—on paper!