SPORTING.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 62, 22 June 1910, Page 8

SPORTING.

TARANAKI MFTPOPOLTTAN COMMITTEE. I A meeting of the Taranaki Metropolitan Committee was held in the secretary's office last evening. There were : present: Messrs. C. M. Lepper (chairman), C. W. Sole, W. Weston, L. A. Nolan, J. H. Hempton, A. R. Staiulisli, E. F. Blundell, and Col. Ellis. Notices of motion to be-dealt with at the forthcoming New Zealand Racing Conference, to be held at Wellington in July, were discussed. Other business at' a. routine, nature was also transacted. , :_ TARANAKI JOCKEY CLUB. The same gentlemen also sat in their capacity as committee of the Taranaki Jockey Club. The resignation of a member of the Club was accepted. Accounts amounting to £25 8s 6d were passed for payment. The date of the annual meeting was fixed for Monday, July 18. The treasurer am; -hairman >vere appointed a sub-cor.i..i:tee to deal with the question of depraiat'ion on the buildings, etc. ..,,„.:.., *■■■■-—-->■ ■■■ '., ji TURF TOPICS. ' ' ' (By : 'Moturoa,") The Napier Park Racing Club's winter meeting opens to-day at Greenmeadows, the principal events being the Napier Steeplechase (three miles), Ahuriri Hurdles (one mile and three-quarters), and the Stewards' Stakes (one mile). 'Nine horses have paid up for the Napier Steeplechase, and if they all go to the post an interesting race may be expected. The top-weight, Kiatere, was suffering from a severe cold when he contested the Great Northern Steeplechase, and he will only have to be well to put up a. good run this afternoon. Nero was twice successful at Hastings last 'week, and can be depended upon to run well forward. The company he meets at the Park, however, may prove too select for him. Ellerslie form points to Le Beau as a leniently-handicapped horse. It will be remembered that he had Loch Fyne, Red McGregor, and a fair crowd well beaten when he came down at the last obstacle in the Winter Steeplechase. Beyond the top-weights it is hard to see anything very dangerous in the race, btft accidents have always to be reckoned with over big country, and perhaps a surprise may be in ' store for punters. , Although only six horses are engaged in the Ahuriri Hurdle Race, speculation is sure to be brisk when, the starting.- . bell sounds. Woolloomooloo reads fairly •handicapped with lOst 31b,. but so> for he has been surrounded by a remarkable spell of bad luck. ' The best he car* do is to run second, and that is hardly a paying position when double and straight-out betting is concerned. On looks, the big son of Definition always claims admirers, and with ordinary luck the Australian-bred horse may break- his"duck" shortly. Of the others, Xavier's best (performance was to-get into third : place' at Wanganui, and Aotea ran prominently at Ellerslie, a spill -at the finish upsetting what looked all over a winner. Forest was equal to the task of beating Continuance a couple of months ago, ana he should be well suited by the' distance. . Showman and Oren (late Nero) have done nothing of late. The top-weight and Aotea have been freely supported ' with Le Beau in. doubles. Yesterday was the shortest day for all folk—sportsiaen. and kill-sports—below the Line, but to-day will be a'shorter day for us punters if some of tiiese favorites blow out. The hurdler filen went wrong at Hastings last week, and was sent home to; Blenheim. Despite his big hamper, Sir Frisco is 1 sure to carry ai lot of money at Napier Park to-day. He has-come on a lot since the Otaki meeting. Broadsword, who was recently purchased by an Australian sportsman, lias been entered foe the A.J.C. Epsom and Metropolitan Handicap. He cannot have any chance over a mile and a-half course., Outlander has accepted for the Hurdles at Ashburton, in. which he is set to carry the steadier of list 91b. Gold Batterv is one of the first horses listed for "the" New Zealand Cup to win a race. Mr. D. Buick's flier will probably j be given a flutter in the Settlers' Hack Handicap this afternoon, .Effort, Iranui, and Artillerie were shipped to Sydney by Friday's steamer, | and the pony Mahinga crossed the pond , on Monday. . i Kin" Hippo was said to be below himi self at the Hawke's Bay meeting 1 last i week. If in any sort of form, old Climax ought to pay his way. He is getting ' down in the weights in -hack hurdle races. Corazon jumped the last three iences in the steeplechase on Thursday very badly, otherwise it is reckoned he would have' troubled Nero at the finish. The price alleged to have been paid for the gelding Oiyoi was 1000 guineas, at which he must be accounted well sold. Probably the record price paid for a geicring in New Zealand was 1200 guineas paid for Aborigine, and he turned out a cheap horse for his new owner. There were questions asked as to the running of Captain Jingle on Thursday, but it "appears that he is troubled with a kidney complaint which affected him iji the race, and it was with difficulty that he could be removed from the bird?a.ge. He ran prominently the first day, ■.>. nd was consequently solidly supported oil the following day. The Ashburton Racing Club's winter j meeting takes place on Thursday and ' Fridap. Tip-top acceptances have been '■ received for all events.