SPORTING.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 80, 29 August 1914, Page 7

SPORTING.

RACING FIXTURES. September 2—Marton J.C. Spring. September 3—Kangitikei Hunt Club. September 'J—D.iiinevirke R.C. Steeplechase. September M, IS)—Avondale J.C. Spring. September 24, 20—Wanganui J.C. Spring ~ 4 HUNT RACES.

The North Taranaki Hunt are holding their annual meeting on the Recreation Ground, Waitara, on Thursdar next, September 3 (not the 10th). This alteration has been made owing to the being a possibility of the WellingtonTaranaki match being played at New Plymouth on the latter date. A "programme, consisting of eight events, has Ibcen arranged, commencing at 12.45 p.m., whklh should provide a first-class afternoon's sport. Quite a number have signified their intention to be present from New Plymouth, and it goes without saying that the country people will be there in full force. Complete arrangements have been made to provide lunch and afternoon tea. Given fine weather, the dub should have a record day. Entries close to-day (Saturday), and handicaps will appear on Monday. TURF TOPICS.

/ (By "Moturoa.") _ The Marton Jockey Club's Spring Meeting, which takes place on Wednesday next, opens the racing reason in the North Island, and judging by the numerous acceptances there arc any amount of 'horses ready for eaTly spring racing. Perhaps it is that horse-owners are getting in early before the war kills all sport. Both here and in Hawera, and down the line still further, the tracks are all exeeptionally busy. Some mornings you would imagine that there was a race meeting in progress instead of mere training operations. Of the Taranaki horses engaged at Marton next week, no fault can be found with the condition of King Chira, Tyson, Maniaroa and Wild Lupin. Glenfern should be benefited by spring racing. Darby Paul and Kurnalpi have been paid up for in the Hack Steeple, but they are hardly clever enough over the big fences j to have a chance with Silver Monarch. ■The latter would have won one of the big events at Riccarton but for bad luck. I He is certainly a cut above the crowd j entered down the line. Sir Mosejey has '■ wintered well, but foe had any amount of weight in the Railway Handicap, and it was not surprising to see him drop out. He will be much fitter when the Wanganui meeting rolls along. Seventeen remain in the Hack Hurdles at Marton, and some speedy nags are included in the number. On Trentham form Parewanui looks to be given a ohftnee, but St. Gate is jumping well and may prove dangerous. Queen's Post is tftie latest Wanganui "boom" for the j race, and in a cpuple of trials with St. Gate ran right away from the St. Clem- I ents gelding. Kew has yet to prove his ! ability to jump. If Riro Atu runs up to his autumn form, Lady Bibbero and Bonny may fm;l it hard to concede him weight in tln> Hunt Cup. It will be remembered that he ran into third place with 9.11 in the Wanganui Steeplechase. With the above exceptions, the class of hunters Is no" a very brilliant one. 'Pariform lliolds his place in the Railway Handicap, and judging by his last performance, dead-lieating for first place with Sauci in the Hawkc's Bay Stakes, should ran well. The son of Bonifonn looks like turning out a top-notcher this season.

There is nothing very brilliant about the Tutaenui Welter field. Montana has been boomed to win a race, and it looks up to him. A tough proposition awaits punters 111 tke Marton Handicap. Trentiium form points to Portraiture and Commotion, but Maniaroa only has to run as well as lie did in the Connolly Handicap to have more tlia.ii a chance.

Tyson is in the place of honor in the Electric Handicap, but six furlongs may prove a trHle far for liim. King Chira is not badly treated, but the pick of the handicap is Timi Cara's Penury eolt Want, who made the flying Encore look a hack at Awapuni. General Madero should also run well.

The war has its bright side, and nearly every sport you meet has some "gag" to work oir on serious, unsuspecting persons. A caretaker on a Taranaki course was very busy the other morning plantiig something or other, when an imp of the stable blew along. "Wihatcher doing?" he enquired. "Just sowing a few seeds, eonny," replied the caretaker. "Waste of time!" laconically rejoined the imp. "Why?" said the sower. "Well," explained the lad as he hastily retired to a safe distance, 'the way the war is going there won't he any germination this season!"

Light-weight jockeys are now putting in good work in the struggle to lit themselves for the coming season. It is a common query, "How's your weight, mate?" One sadly replied, "Fin afraid to get on the scales." And he hasn't got it. on his own either. Nonette's progeny continue to do well iu Queensland. Japette, by Nonctte, snored a very easy victory at Brisbane this month. *At the. same meeting Lotehen. by Advance —Oflicer mare, won the big money, tihe Metropolitan Handicap, of 1000 bovb, run over a mile and a hall. Expect is looking a hall of muscle. , anil is quite the most attractive-looking horse in the Higlulen stiing, now trained at Wanganni, by the way. The Awapuni course is nothing but a sea of tents, a medley of bugle calls, and resounds with the tramp, tramp of soldiers marching. The neddies had to quit. Londonderry, who won the Adelaide Grand National on Saturday week, was onlv a novice at the game. lie was a fair welter performer, but only started in a hurdle race once previously, in which rare he was beaten. New chums have done well here this winter, too. •lackman won the Wanganui Steeples, Te Onga the Great Northern Hurdles, and Exotic, Peary. Royal Arms, G'aeildar and others proved very successful in their first attempts over fences. The stallion Multifid. well known here, died at GLsborne early in the week, lie won the Gre.it Northern Derby anil Canterbury Cup for Mr Dan O IJrien. and his progeny were all horses. Chortle. Ttaupani and Multiply were three of his get which won fiat races at the Grand National Meeting. Multiform's sou, Beragoon. in now in strong work at "Randwiek, and promises to win a few more races before being retired to tile stud. Although engaged ia the Metropolitan Handicap, it is considered likely that lie will only be asked to nice in 'weight-for-age events tins spring. ■ j i Sydney papers favoring the introduction of the totalisator into New Soutn Wale« liad a couple of sound arguments •u their side the last week. In one ease the peneillers laid 7 to 1 against a winner that paid .CIO 109 (with the chance of a second dividend thrown in) on the machine, and , an outside machine run separately—paM out £7 18s Cd for eae.ii h»W-BOV. invesjpd. At another mcctin B

/Besides that, there was the chance of 1 getting "scaled." It it really marvcl- / ious how some sports are wedded to the 1 bookmaker!

First acceptance has' oeen paid for Delaval in the Melbourne Cup. Moonbria is getting through gooil work at Randwick.

Trainer Tillcj generally has a hot member for the Maiden at Marton. Next week it will be Mia Cara. Wonder what wilf be second? Conguard is rounding into racing shape again, and Hawera sports pick him to win a race this spring