SPORTING.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 64, 6 September 1911, Page 8

SPORTING.

AUSTRALIAN JOCKEY CLUB. By Cable—Press Association—Copyright. Sydney, Sepetembor 5. The general entries for the nineteen events at the Australian Jockey Club's spring meeting total 813, compared with 803 last year. TARAXAKI METROPOLITAN COMMITTEE. The Taranaki Metropolitan Committee met last night. Licenses were punted:—-Trainers, T. Butler and A. Rhodes; jockey's appren- ] tiee. C. E. Fowler; gentlemen rider, L. V. Russell. TARAXAKI JOCKEY CLUB. At a. meeting of the T.J.C. committee held subsequently, it was decided to instal a silent totalisator on the same lines as that installed by Messrs Turnbull and Jones at ChrisU-hurch. TURF TOPICS. (By " Moturoa "). The Marton'Racing Club's spring meeting, which takes place to-day and tomorrow, opens the spring meetings, and, a-s far as the North Island is concerned, the new racing season of 19H-1912. Marton is so situated a.s to be easily reached from Auckland, Taranaki, Hawke's Bay and Wellington, and now that horse-owners will have fewer opportunities of racing their horses it is not to be wondered at that the list of acceptances carded for to-day's races is an exceedingly lengthy one. Big fields will be the order of the day, and it goes without saying that winners will not be too easy to pick. ,L'p to the present this scribe has heard whispered no less than six absolute "morals" for the Maiden. As Julius Knight says, " 'Twas ever so!" Punters like risks, and any tale about an unknown prad is devoured greedily. Bonnie Boy, Maori Maid, Ksmeli, Lady Mildred. St. Petersburg, Labor Day and several others are fancied in various quarters. Our Hawera friends reckon it is a sure thing for Mr. G. (Jib-son's entry, which an enthusiastic, sport told me was "a champ.'' Also, that '"it could lose St. Toney." Jla! ha! There's no limit to these wonders. This scribe was impressed with the good showing made by Labor Day at the Wanganui hunt meeting, when Taft just, beat him, and of the others, past form points to St. Petersburg as a horse likely to beat more than will beat him.

The First Hurdle Handicap should draw a, good field. The top-wciglit, Gaelic, ran well at Riecarton, and is well up to the weight. Captain Bell is reported to be very well, but probably the fittest horse in the race is Euroco, whose morning gallops at Wanganui have been quite brilliant. Euroeo. jumps smartly and can get to the end of twelve furlongs in very fair time. Strathmoira is now trained by T. Lloyd at Marton and is quite a promising new-chum at hurdling. It is reported that Rangi Thompson will pilot the Aueklander, St. Wood.

Bronze is most talked about of the Shorts Handicap candidates, but the Highden three-year-old is such a handful that she may not show to best advantage in the big field. Of the Taranaki (horses, St. Toney appears to be very nicely treated, but will have to be at his best to foot it with Blue Lake, Te Kahurungi and Morceombe, to mention only a few of the light-weight division, The issue appears to be very open.

The Hunt Cup should supply plenty of excitement, ami Taranaki sports will be | interested in Star Lass' meeting with [Whimper, Flamingo and Co. to-day. Whatashot won the race la&t year, when much good money was.lost on Sardonyx. Taft is so well at present that Wanganui sports will not hear of his defeat at Marton. In the Electric Handicap the ] sturdy bay horse will be meeting some smart ones in the shape of Master Sylvia, Birkline, Gold Battery, Altear and others, and will have to run right up to his reputation to carry the "stars and stripes" to victory. Koran ran second to Xorth-East in the Marton Handicap last year, but it is ; doubtful if the s Wnverley"prad will be forward eiiough'to run so well this time. I Some fair horses are likely to be seen I under silk, and Woodhey, Rauparaha and i Kilostere have proved tiheir ability to i get >to the end of ten furlongs. Smilax I has a handy weight and may see it out, though sprinting has been his forte up to the present. ] Wirral i* to be taken to Sydney shortly, but his owner evidently' thinks the big horse capable of distinguishing himself in the Hack Steeple at Marton. His opponents do not read very dangerous, on paper, and if landed at" the post in the same fettle as at Riecarton last month he should give a good display. Whatashot will have the services of R. Thompson in this race. Several Taranaki horses will run in the Welter Handicap, but none of them appear to 'be thrown into the race. Windage is always a well-treated horse, and is not badiy handled with 8.13. Grandee will he a starter in this race in preference to the Maiden Plate, but on track form can iliave only a rough chance. Mr. George Morse has concealed the winner only too well. At the time of writing the weather is stormy and unsettled, and in all probability will be s.howery when the meeting opens. The track is in fine order, and everything right forward for a successful meeting.