SPORTING.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 57, 25 July 1912, Page 7

SPORTING.

TURF TOPICS. (By "Moturoa.") It is the custom with sportsmen to go strongly for the Recovery Stakes, but when the curtain was rung down at Trentham last Saturday oil the last meeting of the season 1911-12, few puntera were left in a condition to congratulate themselves with a win in the final flutter. It was a disastrous meeting for the vast majority, but what is ' left of the army of sportsmen bold is i invited to .look ahead to the new season, land incidentally the opening meeting, that of the Grand Nationals. Monday's acceptances for the .principal Kiccarton handicaps show that the jumping events have filled splendidly, but the Winter Cup field has been reduced to a crowd of moderates. Of the National Steeplechase twenty remain in, only three of the fifteen burdened with lOst. or over being amongst the missing. Of those Te Arai and Dorando are out of training, and Okaihau has been withdrawn in favor of his stablemate Hautere. Continuance, Antarctic, Captain Jingle and Hautere hold, their ground, as do Paritutu and Compass. Of the lesser lights, Tui Cakobau, Silver Blaze, and Zante have been paid up for, the principal 'defections being Ltigeon, Appin and Taiaha, The well-backed division are there, so interest holds.

Turning to the Grand National Hurdle Race, we find twenty-six of the original forty-one .sticking to their guns. Only a brace of the thirteen at lOst. or over have declined the engagement. The (withdraawl of Idealism and Hawick will cause no heartburnings. Of the lightweights scratched Sandy Paul's defection [ will cause a flutter of surprise. The ) chestnut's running on Trentlhrn was ; full of promise, and on a firmer track the Taranaki horse would probably do better. Te Roti„has been paid up for, but will hardly stay the distance. Golden Loop could have little chance in such ,1 field, and his withdrawal was expected. Nothing rise of much account is missing I from the list. Another tale is to be told of the Winter Cup. Undecided, Miscount. Birkdale, and Byron—the four top-weights—have thrown in the towel, leaVing Salute and Sea Queen at the head of affairs. Theodore has gone, Thrave was withdrawn last week, and The Rover, John. Peary, Patriotic, Sir Solo, and eighteen others > lower on the list have had. the pen put ] through their names. Boiledidown to i' figures twenty-six remain in of the fiftynine nominated. It is a .poor response for a 000 sovjj/'race run over a popular 1 distance,- .-one mile, and practically tjhe ronly 'high-class performer an the card, i to-day is the game little Aucklander 1 Salute. -

In recent rears- -Taranaki owners have not had cattle good enough to make a bold showing in the Nationals, and Paritutu was the only butter-province prad to have his number hoisted in the Steeplechase since Dummy won. away back in 1898. With Paritutu, Compass, and Zantc to do battle next month prospects may be said to be "fair." Darby Paul, Te ftoti, and the ex-Taranaki horse Coronetted will have many followers in the big hurdle race. Coronetted and Darby Paul stay well and are worthy J representatives. Royal Arms, Con the Shaughraun and Smilax will carry Taranaki colors in the Winter Cup, and though not in the first flight themselves may be depended upon to run well in the weak company. Taken altogether, the Taranaki horses engaged in the big . handicaps should take some beating. ] Trentham form has had the effect of booming Captain Jingle, Compass, and Antarctic for the National Steeplechase; Coronetted, Darby Paul, White Cockade and Master Theory for the Hurdle Race, and Salute, Sea King, and Mt. Victoria for the Winter Cup. Few of the favorite jumpers have lost caste, and the Riecarton contests promise to provide spirited i speculation. Two firsts, two seconds and a third was the record of Taranaki horses at Trentham on Saturday —a highly satisfactory performance—and the big dividend attached to Darby Paul's narrow ' victory in the Final Hurdle Race was miles over what is commonly known as "the limit." For the opening event j Crown Pearl was favorite, slightly bet- ' ter hacked than Mt. Victoria, and Mr. Jervis George's gelding ran a great race, i only going under by a bare head to Mt. Victoria in the last few strides. Compass carried most money in the Jvly Steeplechase, but could not foot it w'fh j Captain Jingle, who had the w n at any stage. Compass gathered ir 50 sovs. and a "bacon-saving" dividend lor ] his owner, Mr. Casserlev. Zante m>i i well to the home bend and then <c;ve up the chase. Shuja, on whom Billy !Vc.e had the mount, won the W't'.t-T 0.-ifs in fine, styky..running up to th-> leaders at the distance and sailing home an ta.-y winner. It is the greatest pity in ilie world that Messrs. Matt lis vs' fin 3 ioise was not entered for the Winter Cup. Mulga Bill was well hacked igain on Saturday, but was interfered with \/h"u r running well forward, and was knocknl right back. Darby Paul, w;io had let his party down the first (\?.y. was cr-e of the outsiders in the Final Huidle Race, and ran the race of !,i< fie Mas ter Theory was in commi.id wnen the last half-mile came to he en - ,v :1 on, but the Taranaki horse (him came up with his usual telling st'id'S and jointd issue at the turn. A lir.o race h.-ni" ensued, the pair being locked toge'iior over the last two furlongs and passing tie post almost in line. The crowd r\u>c re a, -dead-beat, but Mr. Rui'.'i'l declared for Darby Paul by a 'nare h-M,L Jock } ■ Tim Howard, who has grown quite a burly rider these lavs, handlsd (he v.mI nor in great style. Sall.lv Paul was running on at the finisn. and gained third money. Taranaki wurs figuring on ilic winning list were n s folbw-;: -Mesri... J. Casserlev £245. Mattnews Jyu>. £2l/5, C. Mumby 670, A. Rhodes .-C-0. and J. George £2O.