SPORTING.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 163, 27 November 1912, Page 7

SPORTING.

TUBE TOPICS.

(By "Moturoa.") First-class acceptances have- been received for the lirst day of the Takapuna Jockey's Club Spring meeting which opens to-day, apd the presence of several Taranaki horses amongst the runners invests the gathering with considerable local interest. Tie withdrawal of the top-weights from the St. Andrew's Handicap leaves nine moderate performers in the mile and a quarter race. The majority of the acceptors are unknown quantities over the distance, but La Eeina and Goldsize are sure to be well supported. The former is a slow beginner and is generally running on strongly at the end of a mile.

Darby Paul has got in lightly in the Tiri Hurdles, but his form at Ellerslie was shocking, and it is doubtful if he will be seen to advantage on the small Takapuna course. Sphinx has recent winning form to recommend him, but there was nothing much behind Irim. It is a rare thing to see a Great Northern Hurdles winner in as low as Bully is. and if the latter was only a shadow of the horse that licked 'em all in 1009, the race ivould he a soft snap for him. Bully is now in his tenth year.

Captain Paul's strong point is not staying, but his work has been so good of late that he must possess a chance in the Ponui Hurdles. Tiri is another that may run prominently.

It goes without saying that a heap of Taranaki coin will be spinning oii Marconi if that horse is saddled up for the Cambrian Handicap. The youngster may not be amongst the first flight, but his running at Ellerslie marks him as decidedly useful. Eleetrakoff has been reserved for the Cheltenham Handicap, and a seven furlongs course should suit him admirably. Ngatiruanui has dropped in the weights] and if the unruly son of Maniapoto is on his best behaviour at the barrier.he may run prominently.

A heap of rubbish is carded for the Melrose Handicap, run over five and a half furlongs. The first turn is so sharp that whatever gets away, best,must take a lot of beating. Paoli figures on the card and is not bad over a sprint course. The Feilding J.C. Spring meeting opens on Saturday, and will bo concluded on Monday. Taranaki will be well..represented at the gathering, and the air is just now full of vague rumours of "stone morals" from the province. But of that more anon.

Carolus. winner of the November Handicap at South Canterbury last week is a three-year-old colt bv Charlemagne ll—Nautiloid. and is said to be" one"of the swift ones. He is in the' Auckland Cup with 6st B!bs, and is also encased in the Great Northern Derby. Byron is galloping in-fine 'style at Awapum and is Worth keeping i'ii' mind for forthcoming engagements. ;■ :; " ' Some smart'sprinters, will 1 be given"a flutter in the. FeJlding Stakes ithil"week ' If Ermengarde, Brown, Qtfl, .XigFifiwatoh ami Exertion go to the post-the raieVill bo a keen one. ;

' The 'Bar Vons" got a bad advertisement at Perth recently when an out-' .sider returned a tote dividend'of over a century for 10s.. The tpencillers were offering 20 to 1. ... ..,. ~ Lockwood is said to be on-the up-' grade and is getting through plenty of work. He owes "Mr. Highden" a bit of" money, but may snatch a. stake-shortly Serenity, _ who is jumping fairly at Wanganu,, is engaged.in the hurdle races and Welter Handicaps at Woodville. Lucerne will probably be given a run at the Woodville meeting. The. half sister to Makara promises .to turn out a fair performer and her running .*t-t>he above-mentioned village will be watched with interest.

Paying out on the favourite, Caslin'" • vT\ $ the , race at Paik last week, tlie sum of.fls fid too much was handed out on each, ticket for quite a long while. "Then there was the very deuee to pay. and-thee who'were .cnily birds" bewailed' their hant luck ni missing the proverbial "worm." . .-Hie Daystair gelding Ambergris has joined J.Williamson's stable and will 'eTent i'/ p, ' Cpim>d for " events later on.

Reported from Auckland that Elf, the Jam of the flying Bleriot, was bought for the moderate sum.of. £5 13s. '