SPORTING

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 43, 12 August 1911, Page 7

SPORTING

PARITI'IT'S GREAT WIN. {

A GREAT RACE. AVircd the special reporter of the Wellington Times on Tuesday night to his journal;—To say that the contest was one of the most interesting yet seen for the historic event is but a mild way of referring to a race, the finish of which evoked a wonderful display of enthusiasm on the part of the public. Of the sixteen horses for which final payment had been made, the only withdrawal was D'Xil. who had been showing signs of lameness in his work. Tn view of his form at Wanganni, Auckland and Wellington, it was only to be expected that Corazon would be sent out favorite, especially as his schooling work since his arrival at Riccarton had been altogether satisfactory. Antarctic, who had been runner-up to Corazon in the Great Northern Steeplechase, was mack second favorite. Like Corazon, he had done till that was asked of him in schooling at KicciWton, and the pair were sent to the post in splendid fettle. Third in the public esteem came Paritutu. who is now twelve years old, and has become a great racecourse favorite by reason of many good, though unlucky, races he has run in important events. It is doubtful, indeed, if any horse has put up such an unenviable record in this respect, for among other events he has run second in the Xew Zealand Cup. three times in the Grand National Hurdles, and only last mouth was beaten by Hoanga in the Wellington Steeplechase. After this trio Lovcll, Eurus, Yasmak and True Blue were fairly well supported, but others wen; comparatively neglected. Taking the race throughout it afforded a capital display of jumping, though at various stages True Blue, Winiata and Dorando came to grief. Antarctic was responsible for a great deal of the running, as he had taken charge going round the back for the first time, and running through the straight the second time was some ten lengths in front of The Gunner, Paritutu, Dorando and Corazon. This seemed hardly a wise policy to adopt with a horse burdened with such a solid impost at 12st 21b, but he has shown himself such a free galloped that it was perhaps considered advisable to let him run along in front. When the last mile was entered upon it seemed that, barring accidents, the race would be fought out between the three' selected by the public. A bad jump by Antarctic near the six-furlong post lost him a lot of ground; Corazon and Paritutu began to close on him, and as the straight was reached they had his measure. Corazon was first to take the last jump, and tinder those circumstances it seemed as if lie had the race safe and that Paritutu would add vet another to his long list of second*. However, Thompson kept him going, and, catching the favorite in the last fiftv vards, won the great race by a head. ' Antarctic, who was two lengths back, was followed by Red McGregor, Tlie Gunner. Le Beau. Eurus, Liberty, Yasmak and Honest Tom.

As the liorscs passed the post ftiritutu was greeted with loud cheers, which were renewed as he returned to scale.

TURF TOPICS. (By "Moturoa.") Wjrral was wired all over the colony on Tuesday, and the good thine came off. iTlib party threw in for a royal Gaelic and Embrasure paid the dividends on Tuesday, but genwally speaking. the prices were short. Hawick who was left off the card, got home and paid a Bniall dividend.

The short price paid bv Undecided in the Winter Cup came as a surprise to many people. l,ut those "last moment" favorites are generally hard to licit, and after the horse's running at Trentliajii it was <|i„te expected (liat lie would take some beating. Tlie surprising form of Odes-a, who just beat Sindv Paul recently, sets one wondering ' what sort of a fhanee Mr. Miimliy's chestnut would have had in a race like that. Odessa is (i terribly hard horse to keep on the course, and no doubt the long straight at Riccarton would be all in his favor.