SPORTING.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 309, 24 May 1911, Page 7

SPORTING.

THE WANGANUI MEETING. (By "Moturoa.") Splendid acceptances were received on Monday evening for the iirst day's events to be decided at the Wanganui Jockey Club's winter meeting which opens to-day. The Wanganui Steeplechase, run over three miles of fairly easy countpy, has drawn eleven horses, including most of the leading 'crosscountry performers, and this race alone should make the gathering memorable. There are very few defections from the Century Hurdle Race, despite the presence of Wimmera, whose chance is rated very highly. The Connolly Handicap and minor events have filled well, and if the present fine weather continues the meeting should be a great success.

Eurus, who will be a starter in today's Steeplechase, won the race in 1906. Wimmera won the Century Hurdles last year in very easy fashion under lOst. 31b. The question remains, will list. 121b. stop the brown son of Merriwee to-day? Lovell is likely to start a warm favorite in the Steeplechase. Last year the Porirua jumper ran second with 9st. 131b., and with more experience, lOst. 81b. should not trouble him now. He jumped a few hurdles and two ot the big fences very smartly on Saturday, and on Monday morning easily accounted for Castout in a solid two-mile gallop on the fiat. Loch Fyne, whose, departure from Onehunga was. delayed owing to the boat not getting out, is one of. the late arrivals, but Auckland reports credit him with doing good work before leaving home. Eldorado, in company with Lull, went round the big fences on Monday morning, the former jumping well. It was a vast improvement on his former essays on the Wanganui course. Eurus and Corona also shaped nicely the same morning.

Wimmera still ranks as favorite fori the Century Hurdles, and on Saturday] afternoon and Monday morning gavel finished displays over the small ■ It "was rumored on Monday that the | Hawke's Bay horse was slightly lame,, but the usual tale was abroad last ypar, and it is generally discredited. None'ot the, others engaged in the big hurdle rajcp have done much on the tracks htre, but Hydrant, Ribston Pippin and Maidi have many admirers. John jumped poorly on Monday, but Appin fences well. Torbelle and Ribston Pippin covered two miles on Monday morning, the latter, going the easier at the finish, although both finished together., ' This paif are : engaged in both hurdle., to-dfty^'byt'if started in thftlliatk event will nave a big following. D'Nil, another' o£ the Jiack has been jupipinf in greai style, i»ut after a perfect round, of the small sticks on jito'ii'day crashed into'"another fenee and lost his rider. Napper is jumping very well and should be one of the fittest horses on the course. Hawke's Bay visitors have a good word for this horse.

Few of those engaged in the Connolly Handicap have been asked to do much the tracks. On Monday Sir Tristram rifttled off four furlongs in 53sec, Faunus five-furlongs in lmin 4sec, and Kilosteri fiffiity'defeated Boanerges in a mile run in'lmin 46sec. The former is said to W r quoted at a very short price by the pencillers who are supposed to be outlawed, or dead, or something.

A smart field should contest the Borough Handicap. Xyland, Mon Ami, Lady Frances, Te Ivahurangi and Faunus have been galloped here, but their form has not been startling. Vibration comes along with a good reputation, but Tnmut and Faunus have their admirers. The town is filling up fast, and T notice crowds of Taranaki sports on the warpath. Here and there one notices a face which, in Taranaki, would not show itself on such a wicked place as a racecourse, but, of course, like the travellers and others, their owners may have urgent private business in Wanganui on race-days. The weather is perfect and the glass high. The course is in good condition, and everybody looks forward to a splendid meeting.