SPORTING.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 272, 23 December 1909, Page 4

SPORTING.

TARANAKI METROPOLITAN COMMITTEE. The Taranaki Metropolitan Conunictee met on Wednesday night. Pruseni: Messrs Lepper, Weston, Solan, Sol-, Gold water, Gray, Alexander, Bliinde 1 !. liempton and Ellis. The disqualifications imposed on K. Kalliel and W. J. Matthews for having taken' part in unregistered meeting were removed. Gentlemen riders' certificates we;v granted to Messrs T. L. Paget. A. !l. ; Greaves and Jus. O'Donnell. Mr. V. W. ) Webb's application was granted subject to il being in order. TARAKAKT JOCKEY CLUB. The committee of the Taranaki Jockey Club met subsequently. The transfer of the mare Lady Lupin from C. F. Davy to R. Barlow was approved. Mr. J. Coombe wrote accepting tlr portion o? starter and Mr. J. C. Monte I flort- that of clerk of the course. Several new members were elected. Mr. and Mrs. Jas. Rlewman were voted a bonus of £lO Ifl- in reci»sju tion of the manner in which thev had carried out the extra duties inipos-d upon them dnrin? the alteration* and improvements at Hie course. A Icil.-r of appreciation will also be forwarded. Accounts amounting to £526 3s were passed for payment.

TURF TOPICS. (By "Moturoa") The local course is looking in good trim for the Taranaki J.C. Christmas meeting which opens on Monday nexi. Already .outside horses are beginning k> arrive and the tracks will bear a busy appearance during the next few days. Frank Lind with Overtime and Kaiwhaka, and Walter Raynor with Shannon Lass, Lantern and Hikorangi are expected t'o arrive fjrom Wanganui tins afternoon.

It was only through an error thai Golden Loop's name figured amongst the Wellington Cup nominations. The bay colt was not entered for the race. Cohort broke his neck at Feilding on Saturday morning whilst jumping a" few hurdles in company with Maidi.

Crucinella was the onlv withdrawal from the Manawatu Cup and her stable companion, Koran, has been install-'.! favorite. Good reports conic to hand of (Jairis, and Merrivonia has gone on the right way since winning at Feilding. The Manawatu Racing Club's summer meeting opens to-day, anil although acceptances are not so numerous as in former years, winners appear to be weil concealed and good racing should ;-e witnessed.

Alee. Hall took St. Bill down to Palmerston at the beginning of the week, and before leaving home the Wanganui horse was galloping m great style. It was rumored last week that Kilmarnock had injured his fore-leg. In! the chestnut continues to get through strong work in a satisfactory maun.',', and Dame Rumor is apparently prevai l, eating—as tisual.

Quite the best gallop recorded at Kllerslie recently was that put up by Fu'l Sail, who' easily lined Sharpshooter on Saturday morning, scampering over six furlongs in lmin 18 l-ssee. Waiari and Compass put in an appearance at Ellerslie on Friday and did light tasks. After the acceptances fo T til- Auckland Cup were posted, writes "Phaeton." Downfall, Taskmaster, Advocate anl Piabolo ranked equal favorites. All Red being next in favor and Sir Prize. Roo«". velt and Ngapuka next in demand. TV bookmakers are taking no chances, and anything you mention ranks favorite for the moment. The following weights will be carrhd by those horses engaged in the Fourth Manawatu Stakes at Awapuni:—Lord Sonlt 0.3, Penates 0.1, Rangipapa 8.12. Flitaway 8.0. Oipsv Belle 8.0. Brna Isword 8.4. Tawhaki 8.4, Rnvnl Murine 8.4, Sea Queen 8.2. Fasnakvle 7.13. True Shot 7.13, Gold Top 7.0, Celaeno 7.0, Fonuedati 7"0, Sir Solo li.o, Oilessii 0.4,

Turna 0.4, Madame Mndean 1i.4. Winning Post 0,4.

A final reminder is given liotsi'.owners and trainers dial acecnlaiices and general entries fo,- the Sirnl 1 ' ' " ing Club's annual meeting close this (Thursday) evening at !) o'clock. The Wanganni Trotting Club's meeting was again very poorly attended on Saturday, and the' club must have lost a lot of money over the gathering. In some races only a few pounds—a tenner or so—were invested on tin; tote.

Vi hat killed the betting at Wauganui was this: Tlie horses would go out and the bookmakers commence operations. Somebody overcome with infallible information would approach the Odds Merchants and enquire the price of Blanker. A cautious offer was promptly accepted, perhaps fifty pounds goinp on in one bet. That was' the lead! The other runners stood at anv old odds, as well they might! In most instances the hot favorites came home on their own '—and the next race started. It was a dreary affair, and one wonders if this is the sport which is sliid to be likely to oust galloping in Christchurch. Pt is too slow for anything. Squib shaped better in the Trial Handicap, but had no chance with Marae Mann, who took up the lead from the jump and had the field well beaten attei going half a mile. King George was responsible for n splendid exhibition of trotting in the 'Aramoho Handicap, which he won from scratch, the mile and a-half being loft behind in 3min 44scc,

| The only horse to carry bullion in the Tradesman's Handicap waj Harold Rothschild, who raced into the straight neck and neck with Misfc Ngapara. When a good race home seemed imminent, the latter broke, and the favorite ran in an easy winner. Punters went astray in the Tramway Handicap when Glenlora, who was injudiciously driven on the opening day, beat, a pair of better-fancied neddies in Lady H. and Besique. The winner travelled very fast from the three furlongs post, and easily beat Squib in the run home.

The Eastbrook handicap was a match between Marae -*anu and St. Swithin. the latter winning comfortably by over a length. There was practically no betting on the race. Mariner, who ran last in the Aramoho Handicap earlier in the day, came with a rush at. the right end in the Ballance Stakes, and scored bv a couple of lengths from Pihama and l.on^lalc.