SPORTING.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 290, 30 April 1913, Page 7

SPORTING.

TURF TOPICS. (By "Moturoa."). Very large acceptances are carded for the opening day of the Marlborough Racing Club's Autumn meeting to-day, and the fields will include such wellknown performers as Undecided, Byron, Sea Queen, Sinapis, Merry Frank, Ariom, Merrivonia, Ceylon and Kilts. Increase of stakes and liberal advertising—an item which many Taranaki Clubs curtail to their own loss—have lifted the Marlborough Club to a high position in the racing world, and this week's gathering should easily eclipse past records. Ten horses have been paid up for in the Marlborough Cup, one mile and a, quarter, and with one or two exceptions they are a good lot. Undecided heads the list with 0.4, a weight which should keep him doing his best, and many will prefer the chances of Byron (8.0), Ariom (7.11), and Sea Queen (8.3). Sinapis won the race with 7.8 last year, but will be called upon to carry B.lbs more in a considerably better field j to-day. Peroneal is engaged, but her form does ndt suggest that she will prove dangerous over ten furlongs. Byron may be one of the hardest to beat. and the consistent Ariom reads well. The race promises to be a good bettinnl one. Merrie Frank has a liking fo*r the Blenheim course and does not appear to be badly, treated with i)st in the FlyingHandicaps. Kilts is a certain starter as is Styx, and this pair have been galloping well. Leapuki will put up 71bs extra for his Masterton victory. The minor events have filled verv well and the acceptors include Black Lupin, Glenfern, Lady Louisa and Divorce, who have all shown good form recently. } Glenfern's running on the West Coast, and later at Masterton has been very consistent, and good judges are picking the chestnut to catch a heat at Blenheim.

Practically all the leading jockeys will be at Blenheim to-day. On Saturday Deelcy, Bell, Emmerson, Wilson, Olliver, Griffen, Conquest and O'Shea crossed the Straits. By the same steamer a big crowd of trainers took their charges over. They included: F. Speakman (with Havdn Park); V. Collelo (Ariom and Lord Possible): D. Moraghan (Kilts); F. Higgott (Merry Frank and Peroneal): L Fitzmaurice (Merry Guv); J. McCraeken (Teviotdale), and G. MiisBen (Glenfern). The position amongst the leading horsemen, Deelcy, Emmerson and Olliver, has row reached an interesting stage. Some statisticians place the three jockeys level with 45 wins each. Therefore their form at Blenheim should be watched with interest. "C. Emmerson. who has been showing great form recently, leaves for Svdney shortly, and the issue for pride of place amongst the Dominion's horsemen for ithe fceasori* appears to rest between Deelcy and A. Olliver. Accidents and the "stipes" may upset calculations, bufc considering his weight Deeley has a big chance of pull-' ing off the event this year.