SPORTING.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 257, 20 March 1913, Page 7

SPORTING.

TURF TOPICS. (By "Moturoa.") . Races at Ellerslie on Saturday. Bismarck is not ready yet. Hayn 'Park is a long time breaking his "duck."

Emperador is the bookmakers' favor ite for the Great Easter.

Clemency paid a short price at Opunake. Somebody must have known something! Feildihg acceptances are very disappointing; Only eight remain in the Cup. Tetikura looked a really good bet for the big race at Opnnake, and A. OUiver made no mistake about landing the mustard. ~...- •

Ratana's form was a vast improvement on that shown at New Plymouth recently. The Field Battery gelding wona double in fine style, upsetting a hot pot in Simple Sam in-the-Filial Stakes.

Chas. Jenkins, who rode Ratana each time he won, is still the popular old "Jenks." and his reception after the Electric Handicap would have done Bill Massey proud. Young "Jay" Williamson gathered in the Paeroa Steeple on Saturday with Icel, who just beat Seaman after a keen race. Old Golden Glow was third, and a big field, including Kelp, dotted the distant landscape. The principal winning owners at the Hawke's Bay meeting Were Mr. E. J. Watt €524. and T. TI. Lowry £330. The Hon. J. D. Ormond, whose luck has been completely out lately, could not land a heat. '

Winning owners at Opunafco were as follows:—T. F. Goddard £95, A. McDonnell £75, R. 11. Campbell £55, J. M. Laurent £45, T. H. Loubv £4r,, E. N. Campbell £4O, D. King £3!», R. Hicks v£3o; J. Casserly, T. Behziger, G. Clareburt, F. Selwood and H. Jones, £5 each. Lady MenscliikofT has a liking for the Feilding course, and will probably run prominently in next Monday's Cup. Coupled with Phroso for the Mangaone Stakes, the price of the double would be a short one.

The fittest horses at Awapuni are Gladiole and Bonny Boy. Both have been paid up for at Feilding.

The Highdcn 'team for Riccarton includes Bronze, Bertrada. Lockwood and Monette (Martian—Cniralba).

As usual, Undecided was the poncillers' hot order for the Feilding Cup. and once again did the fraternity a good turn by dropping out. Undecided has been first favorite, on the charts, for practically everv race, in New Zealand. It has almost become a standing joke! Firs)rate acceptances have been received for the onenincr ilav. Saturday, of the Wan':;'nui -Trolling Club's meefinu'. The sport has not iMiii'.ht 0.-< greail" in those pari*, ljut with nothing hetfev on a fair crowd of spoils will roll up and have a shot at picking them—just for luck.

Tims n CaleuUa siioi-fino 1 rajr:—"While slow work li-i-s inorniiii;' !!:>vfo\vl fl'i]l!lr(! and fell. T'l" f,)"' 'iI;o ">NYin i-; (hat. the horse 'was rlozincc at tli" time." In New Zealand fliero ii'v :i few (valuers wlio dra. ri ' tl'.c ir horses cut before sunrise to work, but a ciivcfnl trainer should always see that liis neddy is awake before lie sets him (loinir ill" iiioriiiii(}'% round! The rns and dou'ns of r.'ifin«r. T-ast vear Pi:-.sin> shirloo si\- times wiUiou! seeuriu'!' a win. Tb's yeev 'eitlvred in i'vi'V.-i liiiv;' lienvilv e.iMed, iiielwliii" 'lie Melbourne flip. Ess'.eildon Slakes. Loeli Piute and Oliamviion Stakes.