SPORTING

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 242, 18 February 1911, Page 7

SPORTING

I RACING FIXTUEES. Feb. 22 and 23—Woodville B.C. Autumn. Feb. 22, 23 and 25—Duuediu J. C. Autumn. March 2 and 4.—Wanganui J.C. March 8 and 9.—Diumevirke R.C. March 15 and 10.—Napier Park R.C. TURF TOPICS. (By "Moturoa.") Woodville races on Wednesday. Lethean is still running seconds. What happened to Seldom in the First Hurdles ? Sinn Fein requires time—say, ten years. The Porirua-trained Torbelle is a very ordinary jumper. Wonder when Paddy Eva will tumble to the fact that Uhlando is a spent light! Jockey Jimmy Buchanan was in good form at the Poverty Bay meeting, riding no less than five winners. I

Watch John. He should just about be ready for the Wanganui meeting in a fortnight's time.

Reported from Wairarapa that the crack sprinter, Full Rate, has broken down badly.

Master Sylvia, shaped disappointingly this week, but the racing should brighten him up no end. Los Angelos claims most attention for the Dunedin Cup to be run on Wednesday next.

The dense smoke did not prevent punters picking winners on Wednesday, Seven warm favorites rolled home.

The hard running at Hawera just about settled Shining Star, and he cost his party a tidy sum' this week.

Cloudy Morn paid a handsome second dividend •on Wednesday, and was unlucky to bump against a "seldom" horse on the second day. Weight held Paul up each day, and on form he cannot have much chance at Woodville next week.

By winning the Okato Hack Handicap on Wednesday, Smilax recorded his fourth consecutive victory. The Obligado gelding promises well. A slight pulmonary trouble acquired in the Spring is still telling against Sandy Paul. • His connections have supported him, solidly the last few starts, and must have dropped most of their previous winnings. ,

Lady Medallist made an exhibition ol the Cup field, and Danubebeat the mare just as easily in the Champion Plate at Trentham. How good must Danub« be? 'Stralian files state that the erstwhile Taranaki horses, Waihuku and Ney, left recently for India. How many New Zea-land-bred neddies follow the course— Maoriland, Australia, India, and then oblivion.

Golden Loop won his race in fine style on Wednesday, and it was a popular victory. Most of us "did our nut" on Shining Star, but a win for the consistent son of Lupin is always well received. Our old friend Burton, who has apparently taken a new lease of usefulness, is reported to be, a dashing fencer, and will probably sport silk in hurdle events at Woodville next week.

Uranium ran two good races at the local meeting, but was not quite good enough. Dick Hannon had her looking in the pink, of condition. It appears that Tattoo struck himself while galloping at Ellerslie on Saturday morning, and consequently did not make the trip to Taranaki. He was going very well prior to tlie accident, but could have had no chance with Lady Medalist anyhow.

Makara has raced consistently since the summer meetings commenced, but his luck is right out. He was carried off his feet in the First Scurry, but as usual struggled into a place. On Thursday he was not quite good enough to extend Bay Paul, but his turn should come.

11l more ways tlian one, Sir Artegal was lucky to get the stages in the Second Welter. The chestnut was one of the outsiders in the Clip betting, and finished just about lust. That the effort did not kill him quite dead he proved by beating nine fair performers in the Second Welter. Of course the distance and class' were dissimilar, and there was the advantage of a bit of rough-riding thrown in, but it could not be said that his Cup racing was absolutely pleasing. Following on his Hawera victory, Winchester's attractive display in the First Hurdles stamps him as a first-class hurdle horse. Not many jumpers can claim a Derby winner for a sire, but the four-year-old bay was sired by St. Crispin, winner of the Great Northern Derby.

Royal Soult, whose two years' disqualification has now run out, figures in the South Auckland Cup with 9st 101b—top weight. He was a great horse in the seasons 1907-8 and 11)08-0, and much regret was expressed at the time that such a champion had the misfortune* to suffer by bad handling. On paper, Paisano appears to be well treated with 7st (ilb in the Wanganui Cup. He was in good nick at the CPoverty Bay meeting, and gathered in the big race very easily. Billy Young has ridden the horse five times, scoring four firsts and one second.

An Auckland sport tells me that on the opening day of the Egmont meeting the punters in Auckland appeared to have forgotten all about Tamainupo running at Hawera, but the next day, when he won, the whole town was barking it. Monoplane ran two honest races at the local meeting, and has been showing consistent form for the last three months. With better placing, the daughter of Monoform should win manv races.

Xorth-East was hacked by his owner each day. and tlie horse's failure is hard to understand. He is right down in the weights now, and if he hasn't grown running lie should show up at Wanganni. Tt was common talk that Dick Johnson had Valentine in capital trim, and when Jenkins took the mount in the Second Welter a few of the wise heads could see no farther than the St. Paul trebling. They "did" their money "hard," for Valentine' was never sighted. Blue Vale, winner of the Otahuhn Pony Cup on Saturday last, is described as a handsome filly. She won all the way, in fast time, and as she is only a three-year-old should be valuable property. ' ' Red Lupin is a wonderful horse for hi.s inches, and was no doubt very unlucky to run three seconds amongst the horses inside nine days. Probably striding alongside bigger rivals is spoiling his chances in close, finishes. Australia is the place for a crack pony, and it is reported that he will be sent across there before long. . Several New Zcalanders appear amongst the acceptors for the Oakleigh Plate, to lie run to-day. Celerity won the race last year, and is engaged again with 8.13. Gold Thread has 8.13, Broadsword B.l], and Full Sail 8.3. I The Raft (The Possible-Lifebelt) won j the Hurdle Race at Sandown Park (Vis- . toria) on the 4th inst.