SPORTING.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 273, 24 December 1909, Page 6

SPORTING.

RACING FIXTURES. Dec. 23, 27, and 28.—Manawatu R.C. Summer. Dec. 27 and Jan. I—Wellington Pony and Galtoway K.C. December 27 and 28—Taranaki J. C. Christmas. Dec. 27 and 28—Dunediu J.C. Summer. Dec. 27, 30, Jan. 1 and 3.—Auckland R.C. Summer. Dec. 29—Ashurst-Pohangina R.C. Annual. Jan. I—Te Karaka R.C. Annual. Dee. 31 and Jan. I.—Greyuiouth J. C. Summer. Jan. 1 and Ilawkc's' Bay J.C. Summer. Jan. 1 and 3—Vincent J.C. Annual. Jan. 1 aud 3—Wairarapa R.C. Summer. .lan. 1 and 3—lUiigitikei R.C. Summer. Jau. 1 and 3—Stratford R.C. Annual. Jan. 12.and 13—Pahiatua R.C. Annual. Jan. 22. 24 and 20—Wellington R.C. Summer. TURF TOPICS. (By "Moturoa.") The Taranaki .J.C. Christmas meeting takes place on Monday and Tuesday next. No less than ten race meetings will be in full swing on Boxing Day. Hydrant is now' an inmate of J. Frit chard's stable at the llntt. ■ C'yrene has been entered for several handicaps at the Pahiatua annual ..meet-

Downfill is going better than any other of the Auckland Cup candidates, and promises to start a good favorite. Danube and Korinby will meet in the Great Northern Foal Stakes. Over s'ix furlongs it should be a great battle. The tracks at Ullerslie are like flint, and many of the " tender-foots" will be laid up before the meeting closes. Things were pretty sultry at the Trots in some of the races, writes "Multiform." Had the reins broken in a few eases, what a double somersault some of the riders' and drivers would have turned 1 ' Golden Loop has taken on the Auck-

and trip, but the weights and leftrnnded course may upset his clmnces. He was galloping splendidly before going north, and is sure to run well before the meeting is over. >

Dick Brough's team 'for Taranaki ■will comprise Te Puia, Red Wing, Emblem anil The Reiver. The Hawcra trainer, as usual, has his horses in fine fettle, and they should pick up a tew

good races' next week. Great reports eoinc to hand of Osiris' brilliant track form, and the San Fran gelding is certain to have a big following at Awapuni. The field for .the Manawatu Cup is not numerically strong, but Tawhaki, who ran a good second to Elysian in the Canterbury Cup, and Merrivonia, a Feilding winner, may keep Osiris moving on the day.

The fact that Crucinella was withdrawn from the Manawatu Cup probably accounts for the favoritism accord-

■■'d her stable-companion, Koran, The hitter von easily enough at Waverley, but will be up against distinctly better

horses on Boxing Day. The only Wungamii horses likely to be given a run at New Plymouth are Shannon Lass, Overtime, Kawliaka, Lantern, and Hikorangi. Walter Raynor has Shannon Lass in good racing trim, and she is certain to nut well in whatever rafes she starts. Uidy 'Medallist lias been galloping over everything at Ellerslie during the week, and is being freely coupled with likely Cup horses in the. Auckland double. Kilindini is another Railway Handicap to find favor, but the race hears a very open appearance.

Except for being a trifle, hard the local tracks are in goon racing trim, and everything is well forward to ensure a successful meeting. Outside horses are coining in in good numbers, and the gathering promises to he well up to those of former years us regards good •port and general enjoyment. 'flic programme will open with the' Huatoki Plate, for which sixteen horses have been entered. Unknown quality predominates, but Silva, who nls'o claim's a Christmas Handicap engagement, and Emblem, Nukuhnu and Lady Lupin, have nil shown good pace on the tracks. Seven horses have paid up for the Stewards' Handicap, and the winner is well concealed. Dolce has earned all ol i).l„ ami the same applies to Overtime with 8.11. Dolce would he better favored with soft going, and Overtime may he reserved for the Scurry. Redwing is nicely handicapped with 7.7, and has been gfilloping nicely at Hawera recently' A dozen have cried content in the Ladies' Purse, and the winner will take some sorting out. "Follow the rider" is generally the best plan in race? jockeyed by " gentlemen riders." A poor field of horses have paid up for the First Handicap Hack Hurdles. The top-weight won at Sentry Hill, and unless Tokoroa has improved in his staying a'lility, Golden Glow will probably ca> '; most money when the fences are put up on Monday. When they come to be saddled uo for the Christmas Handicap, we will probably hear the tote bell tinkling pretty consistently for Dr. Shimose, but the race may not be such a cake-walk as most sports imagine. With perhaps one exception every competitor has a fair chance. Lady Mcnschikoff was moving scrntchily last week at Hawera, but has improved a lot during the last few days. Bismarck has not struck form since running prominently in the Kidding Cup, and he docs not appear to be unite right at present. Shannon Lass is' leniently treated, and was showing good track work before leaving •Webbanui. She will carry all the southera money. "Jimmy" Thacker has the disappointing Timothy in good form, and although he is not considered dangerous, a win for the local horse would be well received. ' The field for the First Welter will probably be reduced on the day and little can be said of the poor lot engaged.

With such a quick beginner as Overtime engaged in tile Scurry it is safe to say tliat the field will be carried along at. a merry pace in the first few furlongs. If we could believe what Wanganui sports say, Overtime has just been sent up to win both Scurries, and is to be railed home afterwards. But that is only talk!

Of the Flying Handicap horses the top-weight, Golden Eagle, is' looking very muscular and well, and she is expected to win a good race shortly. Dr. Shimose and Tepuia will lie well suited by the distance, and the splendid form showi by the latter this season points to the Hawera horse being very nicely handicapped.

"I have come to the conclusion that we arc In a madhouse," was the singularly wise comment of the Hon. Wi I'erc

in the House of Talk on Tuesday. The mad gaming laws turned out of the Now Zealand law foundry during th • last few years would guarantee ev.vy member of Parliament free lodging at Porirua. It is perfectly ridiculous that a band of kill-sports should meddle in racing matters and annoy respectable racing clubs and sportsmen generally by interfering in matters which are beyond their limited brains. Clubs are 'now up against a new hurdle of 2V« per cent, on cash receipts, pony racing blows out on April Ist, and the Premier and one of his Ministers have publicly announced (heir conversion to the anti-racing mob. They arc against "both totalisator and bookmaker," and it is. time sportsmen took a tumble to the dangerous trend of things. Oiir privileges' are being curtailed on every uirfp, and very soon we will not have any privileges worth mentioning. '•Moturoa" extends the glad hand to all sportsmen, and hopes they will enjoy a happy Christmas and have heaps of luck at the forthcoming meetings.