SPORTING.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 204, 8 May 1912, Page 7

SPORTING.

TURF TOPICS, (By "Moturoa.") The flags will be flying at Hawera today and to-morrow, the occasion being the Egmont Racing Club's winter meeting. Excellent acceptances are carded for I to-day's events, and given fine weather i the gathering should be a highly successful one.^ The names of Overtime and Afterthought were missing from the list of acceptors for the Manaia Handicap telegraphed last week. Both these horses were paid up for. Sir Solo promises to be heavily supported for Hawera engagements. Doublelayers quote this horse at a very short price when coupled with St, Toney, Mulga Bill or Plantation. Judging by the frequent successes of that moderate hurdler, Pakau, in Australia, Reumac and Captain Bell, who were shipped across the Tasman last week, should score a few wins before thev return home. The principal race at Hawera bears a very open appearance. On recent form Mulga Bill, St. Toney. and Te Roti are sure to liave a good following. ] Old Pari tutu is going nicely in his preparation for the Great Northern Steeplechase, and it is quite likely that the old hor.se will add a few more victories to his record this season. Dogger Bank won the Open Hurdle Race all the way at Hastings on Wednesday, and, despite a penalty, does not appear to be crushed with weight in the Hurdle Handicap at Hawera. Seaman will have a big army of Wanganui punters behind him, and his form this season has been most consistent. Crucinella, in foal to Alawa, is looking very well, and hopes are expressed that the mating of such a brilliant pair will present the Turf with a smart youngster. Simple Sam continues to show pace on the tracks, and may not be long in \ scoring in a sprint race. A Hawke's Bay scribe states that Midnight Sun was unlucky to lose the Hawke's Bay Cup through breaking down when piloting the field into the straight. Mr. C. O'Connor will slip the fields at Hawera to-day, and he will haveseveral very bad tempered horses to deal with. Piriwai and Ngatiruanui are about the worst of the crowd. Jockey B. Deeley is stated to have I ridden 77 winners this season. He was successful six times at Blenheim last week, and punters have got wise to the idea that whatever he rides is worth backing. I Whafeaweira was carrying plenty of superfluous tissue at Hastings, but that did not prevent him from running two sterling Taces. He should be hard to beat at Wanganui and Ellerslie later on. Some wise punters are saving their money to back Maasinette. They say it can fly! Labor Day is still far from well. The trouble is .said to be in the kidneys, and there is little hope of the mare being seen at her best for some time. Te Waharoa, who has been flattered with nominations for the Great Northern and Century Hurdle Races, will sport silk at Hawera. The horse has cost punters a lot of money in the past, and 'is generally put down as an out-size in conundrums. Third prize, £IOOO, in Tattersall's sweep on the Sydney Cup, came to an Eketahuna sport. Our turn is a long time coming! Antarctic is booked to leave Ellerslie for Wanganui on Sunday next. The Salvadan gelding is reported to be fast coming back to form. An exchange says:—"The little New Zealander, L. H. Hewitt, was among the jockeys riding at Lincoln and Liverpool, but, though he had several mounts, he failed to secure a win, three thirds being his record for three days' racing. It is improbable that Hewitt will remain in England, and no doubt we shall shortly hear of his return to Austria, where hi* services are in such demand." The New Zealand-bred Elf bolt started an equal favorite with the quoerlynamed Coolahburragundry in the Liverpool mile at the Warwick Farm meeting on April 27. The Birkenhead colt was unlucky, and was beaten into second place, the other favorite winning.