SPORTING.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 29, 24 June 1914, Page 7

SPORTING.

NOTES BY "MOTUROA." NAPIER PARK.

Last week there were races at Hastings. This week—to-day and to-mor-row, to be exact —practically the same crowd, sports, jocksters and horses, will shift over to "The Park" for the Napier Park autumn meeting. With Hastings form fresh in mind winners ought to be easy to pick to-day, but past records show that such has been rarely the case. The frailties of horses (and ather parties) make the game anything but certain.

Excellent acceptances are carded for to-day's races, eighteen figuring in the Pctane Steeple, and a similar number in the Settlers' Handicap. Ten have been paid up for in the Napier Steeple (three miles), and eight in the Ahuriri Hurdles (one mile and three-quarters). Good fields will sport silk in the other events, and the meeting should be very successful. Proceedings will open with the Moteo Hurdles (one and three-quarter miles), and favoritism will probably be shared by Leapuki, who won at Hastings, and Parawanui.

Eighteen remain in the Petane Steeple, and opinions appear to be divided as to which will carry the coin. Merry Lad struck forni at Otaki and may have to be reckoned with. Cousin Jack has only to jump to be dangerous. If Byron starts in the Stewards' Handicap (one mile) top-weight, lO.lil, may not stop him, particularly if B. Deeley is in the saddle. Reports say that Byron ran a great race at Hastings, and he should he all the better for the gallop. If Byron does not start Fair Rosamond may be the' one to score.

Exotic has been paid up for in the Napier Steeplechase, and the hero of the Hastings meeting is naturally the centre of interest now. Exotic won with 11.2 last Thursday, and a rise of 81bs does not seem excessive. Kauroa may be a tough nut to craek. If Exotic scores to-day he will be following in the footsteps of Mangaolmne, Chemist, Whalebone, Rhino, Jack o' Lantern, Nadador and The Spaniard, who won both the Hawke's Bay and Napier Steeplechases. The latter race has not been noted for weight-carrying deeds, Mutiny and Kiatere being the only ones to win with 12st or over.

Bransfield, if decently handled, may trouble the top-weights in the Bracelet. This nag can do almost anything on the tracks.

Although only eight are engaged in the Ahuriri Hurdles, the issue looks very open. Player, on the strength of his easy victory in the Century Hurdles, looks like carrying most coin, but Ar'uake and Sam Pan will have some backers to-day. The racing will conclude with the Settlers' Handicap, for which no fewer than eighteen arc accepted for. Day Fly appears to be in a class of his own, but if 11.7 stops the Birkenhead colt, Haumakaha and Rigo Park may be most I dangerous.