SPORTING.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 218, 13 March 1912, Page 7

SPORTING.

TURF TOPICS. (By "Moturoa.") The Napier Park Racing Club's autumn meeting takes place at Greenmeadows to-day and to-morrow. Fields' carded for the opening day are fairly large, and racing promises to be very interesting. The Napier Cup, run over a mile and a quarter, is the principal event this afternoon. Fourteen horses have been paid up for and quality is represented in Nyland, Midnight Sun and Aberhrothock. A southern paper' states that Mr: E. J. Watt has not decided whether to start Midnight Sun or not, and the black horse would have to be very well to give weight away to many of the light-weights. Trainer George Price's luck is right in this season, and Palmerstoir papers report that Nyland is expected te run his best race to-day. A. Olliver has gone up to do the riding, and the combination looks hard to beat. Cork, and Seatondale .have recent form to commend their chances, but the others are not a very select crowd. The Canterbury horse-owner, Mr. G. D. Gr«enwood, has decided .to visit Europe shortly, and his. large team of horses ah training an* yearling® will probably go under the hammer next month. Byron should fetch a nice price. Seaman was railed to Napier at the beginning of the week, and. judging by his displays at the Wanganui meeting the' Sylvia Park gelding should give a good account of himself. On the first day of the Wanganui meeting Cornelian had to register record time—3min 14 3-ssec—for the mile and three-quarters to beat Seaman by a head. Since then the horse has been galloping splendidly, and he will be ridden bv his old pilot, Frank Lincl, at the Napier meeting. A fair sprinkling of Taranaki horses figure amongst Masterton nominations. Red Lupin and Golden Loop are in the Cup, and Te Roti, Glenfern, Master Sylvia and others are engaged in'the minor events.

Grandee showed up well in the mile events at Wanganui. and against weaker company at Napier his chances look very bright. The horse has improved out of all knowledge, and recent gallops should do him the world of good. Jockey A. Olliver had a narrow escape from serious accident at Dannevirke. Prior to one of the races his mount, Hutu, reared up and fell backwards, but fortunately Olliver threw himself clear in tlic nick of time.

Loekwood is a smart hpcinner, ani the Highden horse will have many supporters for liis races e.t Napier. Fnunus Avon the Flying Handicap at Napier last year, and is well in again with Bst 91b.

The Levin-trained Parcwanui. wlio can gflllop some, has been taken to Napier for hack events.