SPORTING.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 308, 21 May 1913, Page 7

SPORTING.

TURF TOPICS. (By "Moturoa.") • Monday night was a busy time for Mr. William Hall, the genial secretary of the Wanganui Jockey Club, and the acceptances received for Thursday's races are excellent. " Practically all the '•'cracks' have been paid up for, and, if the weather improves, this week's gathering should he a memorable one. Eleven hold their ground in the Wanganui Steeplechase, and include the favorites, The Native, Dorando, Glen-more, Okaihau, and Antarctic. Hoanga has been reserved for the Great Northern, and the Williamson stable will rely on Okaihau in the Steeple, Armagh taking on the Century Hurdles. Appin has broken down, and Tyrannic and Kauroa will contest the minor cross-country event. The race promises to be a stirring one.

The Native also figures in the Century -Hurdles, but his jumping at Wanganiii during the past few mornings was over the big obstacles. Prophet was not expected down from Auckland, but The Chef's withdrawal has left some pockets with a vacuum. Bravest has been paid up for in the big steepje, and the defection of Cornelian, Woolloomooloo, Sampan and a few light-weight's has not detracted from the interest shown- in the race. The Native, Chief Marshal, Ber cola, Darby Paul, and Ngatimaru are sufficiently high-class leppers to ensure a good contest. ,

A dozen are left in the Connolly Handicap, the principal,withdrawals being Mira, Undecided, Phroso, and Ngatiruanui. .The latter pair were well supported art doubles, and their withdrawal has caused consternation in some quarters. Leonata, Multiply, Passadena, and Phosphorus are well-fancied ones still sticking to their guns. The Borough Handicap has attracted thirteen, including Postillion, Tneuru and Grattan. Nothing of any consequence has dropped out, and the race bears an open appearance.

For the Kaitoke Hack Hurdles a dozen have paid up. Thirteen are engaged in the Hack Steeple, and sixteen in the Purua Handicap. Altogether the racing promises to be first-class and winners fairly hard to pick'. Heavy rain fell throughout Monday night and the tracks were in consequence very sloppy yesterday morning.. Armagh, who jumped badly on Monday, was sent over the big fences—a rather risky experiment some thought it—and the fiery little Aucklander'came near hand-' ing in his brief when he toppled over at, the hencoop. At first it was thought he had dislocated his shoulder, but fortunately nothing more than severe bruising resulted. Armagh will hardly :be likely to race again this winter. Dorundo and The Xative galloped strongly and the pair should win races this week!' Nothing very startling in the way of gallops was recorded, but a big crowd of horses pottered about in the mud. The Awapuni trainer, Alf Shearsby,, arrived on Monday afternoon with Byron, Makara, and Passadena, and the same evening Chief Marshal, Bravest, Mummer, The Spaniard and Thrave arrived from Hawke's Bay. Bravest was reported to be jumping big country as well as ever his full-brother Corazoii did before leaving home, and his chance is much fancied bv his party. Sportsmen visiting the Wanganui meeting will have an opportunity of witnessing some good "scraps" at the Wanganui Boxing Association's carnival on Friday night. The star item is the clash between Truscott and Ireland, and a fine supporting programme' has been arranged. Wanganui tournaments stand for excellent, management and cleaii sport, and the Association has a good record of fine fights in the past. Trainer F. Tilley arrived at Wanganui yesterdav with six horses—Leonta. Postillion, Kilrain. Austin, Kew, and the jumper Goodwin Park. A follower of the stable is alleged to have supported the Leonta—Postillion combination for a fair sum, hut it reads better on paper than on a slippery track. Mr. W. Tuck lias hopes of Antarctic putting his test foot forward in the Wansranui Steeple, hut the touts will I not have the old horse at any price. The writer did nqt like the way Antarctic pulled up on Tuesday morning, and, considering the fine fettio Dorando, The j Xative, and Glernnore are in, cannot see the chestnut in the first three. , , Ineuru's double victory at Hawer.a puts her up 10 lbs in the Borough Handicap, hut with only 7.10 opposite her name she certainly reads well. Judging by last week's displays she revels in the mud and the p;oin<r flt Wanganui' threatens to be made of the same sticky material.

Rebel has been galloping audi fenrincr in <rreat stvle (in company with Doramlo) recently, and will have n crowd nf Wanganui backers wlipn the Hack Steeple comes up for decision. Referring to the proposed formation of a Jockcvs' Union, an exchange somewhat naively rem-irks that it hopes the kniahts of the pigskin will all 'pull" together!

Invader, with penalties, now has the steadier of 0.3 in the Purua Hack Handicap, and will have to be a good 1 horse to succeed with tint weight. By the way, it is reported that there wasn't a bottle of wine left in Manaia after the Invader celebrations last week. Sorry we missed it, eh?

Things we see when we haven't got our gun,' No. 8 saddle-cloth went out on a dozen horses at the Egmont meeting, and was si.v times placed first, and once second. £1 invested on No. 8 each start would have sent the punter home reioieina; with 123 "foreign capital" in "his kick." Now, who can. pick the lucky number for Wanganui?