SPORTING.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 317, 31 May 1913, Page 7

SPORTING.

RACING FIXTURES. May 31, June 3, 5.-Auckland Racing Tune\ 4—Dun'edin Jockey ClubJune 3 4.—Otaki Maori Racing Club. June 18, 19—Hawke's Bay Jockey Club. £ & 26-N.pte P«>> O* July 3> 4—Gisborne Racmg Club. DATES OF COMING EVENTS. May 31. —Great Northern Hurdle Race. 3.—Great Northern Steeplechase. June 18. —Hawke's Bay Steeplechase. June 25—Napier Steeplechase. GREAT NORTHERN MEETING. (BY "MOTUROA.") . To-day the flags will be unfurled at HlersUe once more, the opening day of Se Great Northern Meeting, a ga,ther- £ Sis looked forward to by thouof our fellow-sportsmen in the North as the spectacular attraction of theracins season. It is not surprwng that the liberal stakes offered by the AB C have attracted a fine crowd of Worses, practically all the Domjmon s best jumpers being engaged, and the meetings which starts to-day bids fair to "be'a record one. The star item on to-day s card is tte Great Northern Hurdle Race, of 1000 boys., run over two miles and a halt. In recent years the favorite has had a great innings, and if Wanganui running 1b taken as a guide, the Taranakiowned Bercola may be found disputing favoritism with Lloyds, Prophet and Co. -to-day. The Native has a big load to carry, and many think that his two races over the big fences at Wanganui will not improve him for to-days go over the small, sticks. Prophet and Lloyds are a fine pair of Auckland reps., but they will be called upon to show something very good to-day to hope to succeed with 11.7 and 11.1 respectively. Chief Marshal bruised his shoulder when he fell in .the Century Hurdles, but he may be all right now. He is a fine jumper, and his fall at Wanganui was due to not getting a view of the fence m front of the stand. He rose when the leaders "rose and fell right on to the obstacle. A 71bs penalty brings- Bercola's .weight up to 10.8, just 61bs more than he outstayed the field with at Wanganui, and the chestnut's prospects look very bright. Bravest took on big country at Wanganui, but his jumping left rffuch to be desired. Idealism has not done much of late, but the fact that "Tartar" Julian will be on the Hawke's Bay gelding will bring him many supporters. The Chef has a nice, handy weight, but he has yet to . prove himself a first-flighter-. Old Whakaweira is reported to be the Napier "pea," and' he has arrived looking fit and well at Ellerslie. With the same weight as he scored so easily under in 1911 the old fellow is really given a chance. However, many doubt his ability to "come back," and this scribe is with them. Of the light-weights, Marton and St. Kevin read will in, and the last-named gave Bercola a great "go" in the Century Hurdles. Little notice need be taken of the Saint's running on the day aB he was suffering from : colic and should have remained in his box. Century Hurdles form is generally a fair forecast for the Great Northern, and Bercola will probably start favorite to-day. The following are the likely starters and their riders:— The Native (H. McSweeney); Prophet (R. Percival); Lloyds (J. O'Connell); Chief Marshal ( ); Idealism (A. Julian); Bravest (R. Gray); The Chef (J. Tutchen); Whakaweira (W. Ayres); Flingot (J Deerey); Marton (W. Adams); St. Kevin (L. Hagerty); Whimper (R. Young); Sphinx (L. .Tellings); Virtue (C. Scott); Prince Eddie (R. Thompson); Game (T. Jones); Admiral Soult (H. Hastedt). The chief flat event, the Cornwall Handicap, has attrabted a nice field of twenty, and the mile and a quarter event will' take some picking. NorthEast has been galloping so well of late that he is sure to run a good race. The two strong gallops shoved into Pros phorus at Wanganui last week should improve that horse out of sight. The son of Wairiki Was looking very well then. Dorando shaped so well in the Wanganui Steeplechase that he is hound to have a big following in the Maiden Steeple to-day. Strong opposition may come from the bold-jumping Delegate, •though the latter does not stay too well. Bismarck was finishing well" when Salopian brought him down 'in the Hack Steeple at Wanganui, and the Hawera horse's chance is not nearly so "rough" as some people imagine. Only thirty-two—ye Gods!—have been paid up for in the Jervois Handicap. St. Serf is on the spot, and may show up at the business end. There are many Hawera sports who reckon the chestnut son of St. Paul is a cut above the average, and he ran fairly well at Wanganui last week. Paoli and Devastation may carry a lot of Auckland money. Another big field is carded for the Maiden Hurdles. If they all start the ambulance corps can see a busv time ahead. Timothy pride of place with 10.9, and' if started may **ivc a good account of himself. Watciichain was unlucky at Wanganui and may do better on his own course. The presence of Crown Pearl in the Members' Handicap will probably be a_ signal for local sports to dive for their hip-pockets, and this scribe wouldn't like to put them off. Toreador, Lady Georgia, and Denisc Orme are reported to be going well, and the first-named may run. a good race. In a field of twentv'two much depends on the start for a five furlongs' flutter. Punters are mostly in the dark as regards hunters and their doings, but T preVent Tim Doolan (one of J. Williamsons charges) carrying a heap qf good money in the Hunters' Hur41es. Noble is reported to be a fine jumper and algg endowed with ft f u i r turn oi speed. Kin<rV^R^ R ft°j' ° ur Sportsmafi «nw?A ? 1 , rt . h<3a y will be honoured, and appropriately enough, the sport of will be full swing at Ellerslie, Otaki. Day 5Si , TueSday is Stee P' ecl >ase • v ' at 'J 16 first-named place, and a hi<* C Tw, Ol Marton '"lks have gone un "4ei r-1 ° bjeCt ° f ~ aS tlle V «I V A BARKED TOUR SHINS? Well, use Dr. Sheldon's Magnetic Liniment; it will take away all the pain and stiffness, and you will forget all about Price, Is Od an,! 3i. Obtainable everywhere. M—BMDBmaiaqgr i* J TiarranaaßßiE.bMJvgan jam