SPORTING.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 175, 11 December 1912, Page 7

SPORTING.

TURF TOPICS. (By "Moturoa.") Congratulations to Rangitikei! After a year's spell the old club is racing again, the annual meeting taking place to-day and to-morrow. Excellent acceptances are carded for the first day's events, and given line weather —old J. Pluvius seems to he having a well-earned rest at last —the gathering should be an enjoyable one. The Rangitikei Cup, run over a mile anil a ijuarter, has drawn ten horses. ■Byron, who heacts the list with 8.9, hijU been getting through good work lately, and is sure to keep the , topI weights busy. Lower down the list is I Master Laddo, wlio lias been re-handi-capped for his Woodville Handicap vicj tory, and will carry 7.10 This horse is very lit at present, and was unlucky to get beaten on the second day at Woodville. lie was subjected to considerable attention from several unfriendly opponents, but when he got clear he came on with great dash. That was over a mile and a distance, and the extra furlong to-day should suit him well Ngatimaru ran very well at Feilding, as did Bonnie Boy, and if capable horsemen can be found for them they should run prominently. Eiglit fair sprinters will sport silk in the -Scott Memorial Handicap, six furlongs, and the issue looks very open. Labour Day won with 7.7 at Feilding, but the extra 111b may stop him to-day. Makara reads well in, tout Rangiatua puts up 151bs more. than when returned the winner of the Flying Stakes last week. Red Lupin struggled into third place with 7.8 in the Railway Handicap at Woodville last week, and is evidently running into form again. Lady Volga meets Labor Day on 81bs better terms than in the York Stakes at Feilding, and has got in . fairly lightly. Makara may be sent out favourite, but Lady To1»a is sure to be well supported also. A week crowd figure in the Maiden. (DASH !!!) Papamarama ran a close third to Queen of Scots and St. Serf in the Ruahine Handicap on Thursday last, and oil that showing should just about spoil the betting. The victorious Chief Marshal will be asked to put up an attractive performance to win the Paraewanui Hack Hurdles with 11.4 in the saddle. Hawke's Bay enthusiasts say that he is "good 'goods," and their money should: send' him out favourite. Flingot ran fairly well at Feilding, and may be better suited by the firmer going. A rumour reached this scribe .'that Puketo'tara 'is ;galloping well, and his connections may'| be putting in the shekels shortly.' I

The Olnvkea Hurdles looks a very' open race. Silver Cluse and Cornelian have plenty of weight, and on form' Hawick and Bollin read better. Euroco is daintly treated with 9.13, and he is very well at present. Sandy Paul has been paid up for but his chances do not dazzle.

In the Carnavon Hack Plandicap Royal Simon .vill jarry 8.13, «nd Hamurana 7.12. Expect, Royal Simon and Lady Louisa are fancied: in some quarters. Handicapper Oeo. Morse has humped Hamurana up to 8.9 in 'the Pukenui Welter, and at the weights punters will probably prefer Awahou and Allure who ran prominently at Feilding. There is a lot of rubbish in this race and none of the light-weights appear to he of much account.

Acceptances and General Entries for the . Taranaki Jockey Club's Christmas meeting will be received up till 9 p.m. on Friday evening. The weights appear to have been carefully framed and a good acceptance is expected. Although the. field for the Aucklaild Cup has now bee nreduced to a score, the fact that the top-weights are all still holding their ground is a matter for congratulation. Bon Ton, on whom B. Deeley will have the mount, is stated to be favourite. Waimangu will be ridden Toy ,T. Buchanan, and the "old horse" is breaking the watches at Ellersie. Goldfinder and! Midnight Sun gallop together at Hastings and both horses are in good nick. Masterpiece is going North and his party hope, to turn the tables on the New Zealand Cup winner when the flags are flying at Ellerslie on Boxing Day. The presence of Los Angeles, Vice-Admiral and Bobrikoff* makes the forthcoming Cup a memorable one. If they all go to the post the. race should be worth tramping all the way from here to Ellerslie to see.

That old battler Don Carlos broke a leg the other day, and had to be given the bullet. The ex-American jockey D. Maher has ridden no less than 1800 winners in his long career. Labor Day's victory at Feilding entails a 31bs penalty in the Auckland Cut. Weights for the Marton .T.C. 'Summer meeting are due on Friday next. Mannwakaha, Mendift and Labour Day are engaged in the Marton Cup.