SPORTING.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 254, 17 March 1913, Page 7

SPORTING.

'lt'll FTOPICS. (By "Moturoa.") Races at Opunake to-day. A. Olliver will steer .Minora in, the Cup. Crown Pearl has been paid up for in the A.It.C. Easter Handicap. Jockey C. Euimerson has been engaged to ride Mr. T. F. Goddard's horses in their Opunake engagements. Luke Wilson had a roval win at Napier Park. After gathering in the Cup with Cheddar on the first day he came to light with four firsts on Friday. They say in Wanganui that Phroso | is the liest National horse they've ever had. Better than North-East even! 'Mr. W. Xidd has decided to spell Peronilla, and Peroneal until the spring, when they will probably be sent across to 'Srtalia. Landrail, who returned a fine price when she landed the Trial Stakes on Thursday, is a bay filly by Grafton— Langvel. and carries Mr. T. 11. Lowry's remark;! bly successful colors. BobrikofPs meritorious victory at the Park entails a 311 m penalty iii the Easter Handicap, and 10.4100ks almost a prohibitive weight in such company. However, the black champion will probably start, and if well will take a lot of beating. It appears that Trainer Geo. Price did not accompany the Highden team to Xapier. As it turned out this was unfortunate, and Bertrada's disqualification through an inadvertence might have been saved if the trainer had been on the scene. It is not often that a. jockey weighs in without the breastplate, though such a thing- happened not long ago —strangely enough—at a Xapier meeting too. To lose a race through such a simple over-sight is not only bad luck for the horse's party, but also for the general public who lost their money. Aloha, who has not won a stake for some time, bobbed up again on Thursday, and just beat a warm favourite in the disappointing Peary. Mr. .T. Prosser's mare was little fancied and returned her supporters a good healthy price. Sir Daniel is staying better now than in the spring, and was equal to beating big lields in mile and seven furlong events at Xapier Park last week.

Labor Day is still "knocking at the door," but (loos not seem to be able to land a slake for Mr. Lowrv. Sim hid all (he worst of the biimping in the Xapier Cup, but finished up fast—a close third .

Mr. E. .1. Watt generally has something very hard to beat in the Xapier Cup, and Cheddar's victory on Thursday wis llie fourth success of bearers of the blue jacket. Previous winners for Mr. Watt were Tradewind (1!)0M). f.'azp. ley (1007) and Arclight (M 08). Lightweights have lrul all the best of recent Xapier Cups, but Douglas carried 0.12 when be won in ISA!), and another notable win was Merganser's under fl.O in 1893. At a special meetMi" of the Taranaki District Committee held at the office of tli« secretary. Mr. K. V. 'Webster, on Friday afternoon. C. Dearce's jockey's license, was renewed until the end of the season.

Dr. Fagot has written to the Taranaki Jockey Club:—"l mnch regret lhat any statement should have been circulated that the accident to Lucerne was in any way due to a hole in the course. That statement was made to me, and

told it to some of yoni: stewards in order ihut i! it was so it should be remodied before tlin race was run, hut a» soon as I had time I found my informant was in error and have since told all who have asked me tint thorp was no hole. 1 am quite, satisfied that your course was in excellent condition, and in no way contributed to the mare's accident. f have no doubt the press, if asked, will li'ive publicity to tliu above statement Willi best wishes for the welfare and of your club." At the Wcstport races on Saturday, the Buller Handicap was won by Parallel, the Electric Handicap by "Mater Try, the Westport Trot by .ludjje Albert, the Addison Hack Handicap bv Parallel, and the Farewell Hack Handicap by Aerial.