SPORTING.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 226, 12 February 1913, Page 7

SPORTING.

TAItAXAKI AUTUMN MEETING. (By " Moturoa.") To-day is Taranaki Cup ])av! Just as if you needed a reminder, just as if the crowds of sporting folk, crowds of thin-legged horses, commercial travellers, retired parsons, ex-bookmakers and Bills from the backhlocks didn't tell you that there was a race meetin in the air! Every train, motor and bullock dray has brought its quota of turf enthusiasts. Everyone is gay and hopeful, and nobody seems much changed since last they "blew in." By rare coincidence, many usually tied-down-to-business men have urgent -business, in the town to-day and to-morrow. The ex-peneillcrs are here in force-well-dressed, as usual, and eu- . veloped m the same old irreproachable cigar-smoke. Who said the bookmaker ! was defunct? And at every turn one strikes sportsmen from Auckland, Wellington, Hawke's Bay and other parts. This year's meeting lias attracted a line crowd of horses, a big crowd of punters, and should be a record one for Taranaki! The Taranaki Cup. the principal event on to-day's card, should provide a fine contest, The scratching of Eleetrakofi and Tiresome leaves fifteen horses in the race. Undecided won so easily at Hawera that 0.0 is hardly likely to trouble hwu much, though the shorter distance may "ive several of his opponents (not-' ably Patriotic and Dearest) a better chance. -Sea Queen is also partial to a mile and a quarter course, and she looked simply a ball of muscle when seen under : silk last week. Dearest was- in the boom prior to the Wellington meeting, and the 1 Porirua stable has generally had a candidate for the Taranaki Cup which has been hard to beat. Mendip and Manawahaka will have to run very much better than at Hawera to have a chance, and the same may be said of Master Laddo. Con the Shaughraun looks the most dangerous of the light-weights. Taking recent form as a guide, Undecided. Sea Queen and Patriotic look to be a trio that should run well. The Taranaki Cup was first run for in 1876. being won in that and the following year by Opawa. Many good horses have had their nam« enrolled on the list of winners, but only four—Opawa, Babtleaxe, Paritutu „ndLady Medallist —have won the event twice.' The race was originally run over two miles, but in ISOO the distance was reduced to a mile and a half, and in 1908 it was further cut down to n mile and a quarter. Lady Medallist carried 9.11 when she scored in 1011, and to her belongs the weight-carrying record and also the time record since the race was reduced to its present distance. Undecided will be a good horse if he wins with 0.0. but his party are confident, and his opponents are not a very doughty lot. A penalty of 1211/ brings Xgatiruanurs weight up to 10.1b. The brown son of Maniapoto won the Ahawe Hack Hurdles under 1(1.1 at Hawera. on the first day, and on Thursday made no race of the oppn event with 0.12 in the saddle. The latter"race was run in 2.45, and,this performance makes Ngatiruanui out to be a high-class hurdler. He should start a very hot order to-day. Bercola and Timothy may run best of the othersv Recent successes entail 71b penalties for Sanguinary and Overtime in the Stewards' Handicap. The five furlong journey should suit Veroneal nicely, judging by her showing at the Egmoiit meeting. A big field will sport silk in the Timaru Hack Handicap, including such speedy ones as Passadena, Grattan and Zetes. Worcester is also engaged in the Okato Hack Handicap, and the latter appears easier to win. judging by Katua's display in the Flying Handicap on Wednesday, punters should not have much difficulty in finding a favorite for the First Welter. Royal Simon is very well at present, and despite a 71b penalty should run well forward. If reserved for the Okato Hack Handicap. Worcester, who will convey 71b extra for his win at Takapuna, will carry a lot of money. Ariuke and Conney were unlucky at Hawera, but strongest opposition may come irom Rangikapua, who is reported to be a greatly improved horse. Scratchings will probably reduce the field for the Flying Handicap considerably. Goldsize is certain to be well supported, and thcTe should be some money for Peroneal and Makara if they are amongst the runners. A tough problem awaits backers in the Hack Scurry. So much depends on a good start that there is a big item of chance in such a scramble. With luck. Sweet Breeze. Opeke and Yankee Doodle ir.ay run well. Owing to the sad death of Mrs. Alex. Alison, the horses Tiresome and Allegation haYO been withdrawn from all en- ' gagements at the Taranaki meeting. Mr. A. Shearsby has Byron. Makara and Passadina engaged to-day. The Auckland horseman, B. Dceley. will probably ride the Awapuni-trnined trio. Our old friend, J. Conquest, usually pilots Overtime, and the chestnut appeal to gallop well for him. Overtime, would hardly bo recognised as the weedy brute that was racing down the line last season.