SPORTING.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 186, 24 December 1912, Page 7

SPORTING.

TURF TOPIC'S. (By "Moturoa"). Here we are again, bro.lier sports, with Christmas, like some old favourite, weighing out for another flutter, and. in common with the iiit'alutin' leaderwriters, this scribe feels it incumbent upon him to hand out the time-honored "Happj' Christmas," to pass the glad hand and to congratulate all good fellows on being on top in "the straight" of another year. On Boxing Day those of us who have survived our Christmas dinners will hie us hence to the local race meeting. Our brothers in other parts will have ample opportunities to indulge their sporting instincts likewise. For the time being the country will be given over to the Sport of Kings (and other chaps), and, mellowed with Christmas fare, self-satis-fied sports can for just this once in the year feel really sorry for our poor, misguided friend, the Wowser.

The Taranaki Jockey Club's Christmas meeting demands our attendance on Thursday and Friday. The good books say 'tis rude to point, but if one can believe Secretary Webster everything points to this week's gathering topping all records. Splendid fields should face Mr. IT. Thompson, and, when the racing is over we will probably agree that Handicapper Geo. Morse has con- ■ cealed winners pretty well. The course is in fine order, and given fine weather the gathering should be a eucceso. Eight horses hold their ground in the Christmas Handicap, and the issue looks open enough for the majority of punters to fall in somewhere. North-East and Patriotic, the top-weights, will probably carry a lot of money, but neither has recent form to recommend him. North-East has been off the scene for some time, and would be all the better for a race or two. Patriotic's showing (with Decley in the saddle) at Feilding was nothing to write home about. Con the Shaughraun may be troubled by the distance, and Routine we know little of. On paper Cornelian, who dead-heated with that good horse Master Laddo in the Wavprley Cup, looks to be daintily handicapped, and his party expect him to run a great race.

Tho field for the Flying Handicap will probably be considerably reduced, but if Muleteer lias a decent boy aboard he may be expected to carry the "wise guys'" hard-earned money. The Malatua gelding was very sore when he ran into a place at the. Kangitikei meet-. ing, but he is now bounding along in good style. Hurdle races along the coast 'this season have been mostly "jokes," and the local stewards might do well to keep a close watch on the doings of the -leppcrs this week. Timothy won so easily at Waverley that he must be accounted well in in the First Handicap Hurdles with 10.2.. In, fact, tTawcra-trained horses look to have the event in safe keeping. Smilax may have to be reckoned with, and, if he jumps decently Bercola may prove dangerous. Aviatrix's form at Waverley was unaccountable after her brilliant running at the Wanganui meeting. When the bells stop ringing Timothy will probably be a warm favourite.

Amongst those engaged in the minor events, St. Serf, Phroso, Galtee, Glenfern and Princess Flo are reported to be galloping ■well. Comprising, as it does, practically all the top-weights, fifteen must be reckoned a good acceptance for the Auckland Cup. The favourites, Bon Ton. Masterpiece, Midnight Sun, Goldfinder and Bobrikoff, are still in, and the race promises to be a fine one. At the weight Masterpiece should put it all over Midnight Sun, but one might with advantage take into consideration the chances of Goldfinder. the horse which most people reckoned to be harshly treated when the\weights appeared. Bon Ton must have a chance, but the odd» are against a three-year-old succeeding. Canterbury form points to Goldfinder and Masterpiece as a pair that will bo running on strongly in the final stages of the race. Kakama is alleged to be favourite for the Railway Handicap, and Ventura, Culprit and Goldsize all have many friendu. The last-named beat Electrakoff fairly and squarely at Takapuna, and must possess a good outside chance. Bleriot appears to have quite recovered from her recent accident, and if she strips fit on the day she may cause Ventura, Culprit and Co. to hasten their steps somewhat.

For a proved stayer Waterworks appears to have slipped in very lightly with 9.9 in the Grafton Hurdle Race, run over two miles at Ellerslie on Boxing Day.

Classic events at the Auckland meeting promise to bring together big fields. Nightwatch and Mowbray may be in most demand for the Great Northern Foal Stakes, and Steads' elect in the Great Northern Derby and Royal Stakes. Mendip figures amongst the seventeen final acceptors for the Manawatu Cup, and is certain to carry a lot of Taranaki coin on Thursday next.