SPORTING

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 73, 16 September 1911, Page 7

SPORTING

RACING FIXTURES. Sept. 20 and 23—Avondale J.C. Spring, Sept. 23 and 25—Otaki Maori E.C. | Sept. "28, 29 —Wanganui J.C. Oct. 4-—Hawke's Bay J.C. Oct. 21, 23 —Wellington R.C. DATES OF COMING EVENTS. Sept. 20—Avondale Chip Vi Sept. 20 —Avondale Stakes Sept. 23—Avondale Guineas Sept. 28—Wanganui Guineas Oct. 4—Hawke's Bay Guineas Nov. I—Great Northern Guineas Nov. 4—New Zealand Cup TURF TOPICS. (By "Moturoa"). The Avondale Spring meeting swill open on Wednesday next. The steeplechaser, Te Arai, has broken down badly and will never race again. Fleet Week is on the up-grade, and paid a handsome price in the Hack Welter at Dannevirke. For playing "a joke" at Ascot (Sydney) the other day the New Zealandbred Rarata and party were handed out twelev months' "rest cure." Sir Lethe ran a fine race in the Dannevirke Steeple but was very tired at the finish, and Pleiades won easily.

Welcome rains this week have had a beneficial effect on the tracks all round and horses are being fed up with hard work in view of the Otaki and Wanganui meetings. For supplying sporting notes to the local newspapers two Christchurch trainers were refused licenses recently. That looks a rough one for the sporting writer, but personally this scribe believes in the old adage: "If you want correct information, ask anyone but a trainer."

Lady Medallist is described as looking brighter and better than when landed in Sydney, and her Epsom prospects are highly assessed by ante-post bettors in those parts. With lib more than w.f.a. in the saddle she will require to be at her best to have a chance with her doughty opponents this day fortnight. Although the field for the Wanganui Guineas will not be large a good race is promised. Up to the present we have heard most about Royal Scotch, who is reported to have improved out of all knowledge. The son of Royal Artillery has been galloping strongly, and one morning last week got rid of his rider and did three rounds at a solid pace before they could stop him. Sir George Clifford will be represented, as will most of the leading stables in the North Island, and the Guineas running may throw some light on the Derby events ahead. On Marton running Himitangi was reckoned to have a big chance in the Handicap Hurdles at Dannevirke, but his supporters were quickly relieved of all anxiety. The crack-brained Ruataniwha came down, and Himitangi sprawled over the fallen one. Jackman made most of the running, but opposite the stand Nescot, a big son of Nestor, came with a rush and won by a nose. The totalisator is steadily gaining adherents in New South Wales and a Bill to legalise the machine has been introduced. The best arguments in its favor are the payment of first and seoonil dividends in fair-sized fields, and in Adelaide recently the tote returned dividends of £7O and £6l 7s. It is a moral that a horse would have to be "dead" in more respects than one before Ikey Moses would lay such prices. A Palmerston paper reports the sale of Rauparaha to a Feilding sportsman, and the horse will be trained by ,J. Cameron in future. Rauparaha is said to be a good jumper and should earn distinction over the small sticks. When the tote-bell ceased its clamor it was found that Windage was a better favorite than Te Whetu for the big hurdles at Dannevirke. Hackers of the favorite were very disgusted to see their certainty swing round when the tapes were released, and they did not get a run for their money. Te Whetii won all the way. W. Young, who rode, Te Whetu, was fined £2. for. trying to anticipate the send-ofT. A good number of New Zealand horses claim engagements at Rosehill to-day. In the Camellia Stakes (six furlongs) arc Genius, Culprit, Sunburnt, irritation, Blackpool and Royal Soult. Los Angelos, Lady Medallist, Bridge and Midnight Sun were entered for the Spring Stakes (one mile), and Vice-Admiral, Pierene, Aphnea,' Home Rule, Wharekura, Pakau and Kai-' roma figure in the minor events. The success of Pleiades at Dannevirke wa9 well received here. Mr. Percy Johnson made no secret of the fact that he expected the son of Davstar to run prominently and the public very wisely installed the horse favorite. After Wirrall had fallen and Sir Lethe run himself out with his steadier of 12st olbs, Frank Liiid bustled Pleiades to the front and the Taranaki horse was a certain winner half a mile from home. The placed horses finished in the order of favoritism on the machine, so who says the public can't pick winners?

The defeat of Soultiform appears to liave upset some people in these parts. The New Zealand-bred nag started at a fair price in the Trial Handicap at Flemington and was comfortably beaten by the favorite, Baklovle. Some of the 'Stralian papers have' spread the idea that Soultiform is another Soultline, which is rank flattery. Soultiform never showed anything bettor than third-rate form when lacing in Xew Zealand last season.

Silver Bullet made up for Soultiform's defeat by scoring in the Warriston Welter from twenty others. The ex-Tara-naki horse just got home by a head, and as he started at "your own odds!' his party must have had a splendid win. Gray rode both horses.