SPORTING.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 303, 19 June 1912, Page 8

SPORTING.

I TURF TOPICS. (By "Moturoa.") The Hawke's Bay Jockey Club's winter meeting' opens to-day at Hastings, and will be concluded to-morrow. The principal race set down for decision is the Hawke's Bay Steeplechase, run over three miles, and the poor response made by owners when acceptances for this time-honored race fell due on Friday night is much to be regretted. The race in question was inaugurated away back in 187!), and during the last _ thirty years or so the records bristle with the names of glorious steeplechasers. Nadador and Clarenco won the race twice apiece, and to the latter goes the honor of success under the heaviest weight. The old champion won with 12st 121b in 1883, and the next year went one better by humping 13s't 21b to victory. Moifaa, another fine lepper—probably the finest ever foaled in New Zealand—made light of 13st in 1901, and subsequently annexed the Liverpool Grand National Steeplechase. There have been many surprises in this race, but probably the ridiculously easy victory of Yasmak last year capped all. The field for to-day's race will be small and of mediocre quality. The defection of the cracks leaves Whakaweira, a horse without a win over .big country to his credit yet, in the place of honor, and with the exception of Glenmore and Appin the others have no record to commend them. On paper Glenmore looks to be well treated with lOst 21b, and the little horse's running at Wanganui and at Ellerslie stamps him as a safe jumper and fair stayer up to nearly three miles. That the horse lacks a strong finishing run was shown at Ellerslie, but on the flat he may stay better, and it 13 certain that he will run a good horse to-day. Whakaweira came to Wanganut at the height of his "boom." hut fell each day after covering about two and a. half miles in great style, pulling hard and fencing dashingly. On his own mud-heap he should take a lot of beating, and if foe gets round safely he should beat the others for pace, Appin won at Ellerslie, and is apparently on the up-grade. Beeline runs in the rsame nomination as Glenmore, and will I probably contest the Hack Steeplechase. Whakaweira and Glenmore will probably share favoritism. The much-talked-about St. Tonev has been paid up for in the Hack Hurdle Race at Hastings; in fact, the race ap- | pears to be monopolised by Taranald horses, and with Bismarck, Golden Loop, J and Moahau also engaged, this province jholds a strong hand. The feature of recent track doings at Hastings has been the remarkable return to form of old Merriwa, and if he only could reproduce his old time form some of the new chums would have a rear-chase. However, age is a hard thing to throw off, and very few of the old stagers are worth two-penn'orbh of gin when they attempt to "come back." Golden Loop will be making his first appearance in Mr. Fred Douglas' colors, but on Wnnganui running Bismarck should hold him safe. Beeline has been galloping well of late and may get amongst the winners at the Hawke's Bay meetings.